SharpBetz
NHL

Tampa Bay Lightning vs Colorado Avalanche

Saturday, October 24, 2026

Final Score Lightning 3 - Avalanche 6
Spread: Total:

Matchup Analysis

The moneyline edge of 0.09 in favor of the Avalanche makes the home side the clear pick. A Denver crowd adds extra boost.

The Avalanche host the Lightning at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. Colorado enters the night with a 5-4-1 overall record, 3-1-1 at home, while Tampa arrives 7-2-0 overall and 5-0-0 on the road.

The market offers the Avalanche at -125 on the moneyline while the model assigns a win probability of 0.645. That 0.09 edge between market and model underscores the betting value on the home team.

Colorado Avalanche rides a 14-2 straight‑up record on a three‑plus game win streak, a win percentage of 0.875 over a sample size of 16. Such dominance in straight‑up outcomes adds confidence to the home side’s chances.

In net, Scott Wedgewood posts a save percentage of 0.923 and a goals‑against average of 2.04, whereas Andrei Vasilevskiy records a save percentage of 0.914 and a goals‑against average of 2.21. Both starters are listed as unconfirmed, but the Avalanche’s marginally better numbers tip the puck in their favor.

The pick is Avalanche -125, play.

Goalie Notice: This prediction assumes Scott Wedgewood (Avalanche) and Andrei Vasilevskiy (Lightning) as the starting goalies. This is not yet confirmed -- if a different goalie starts, this pick will be voided.

Team Comparison

TB Lightning
Stat
COL Avalanche
7-2-0 (5-0-0)
Record
5-4-1 (3-1-1)
3.4
Goals / Game
4.1
2.6
Goals Against / Game
3.0

Starting Goalies

Avalanche
Scott Wedgewood Unconfirmed
SV% 92.3% | GAA 2.04
Lightning
Andrei Vasilevskiy Unconfirmed
SV% 91.4% | GAA 2.21

Current Odds

Team Moneyline Spread Total
TB Tampa Bay Lightning
+102 ↓ +1.5 O 6.5
COL Colorado Avalanche
-122 ↑ -1.5 U 6.5
Source: DraftKings Updated: Oct 24, 9:33 AM
Opening line: -1.5 / O/U 6.5

Model Projection

Team Moneyline Spread Total
TB Tampa Bay Lightning
+182 +0.6 O 7.5
COL Colorado Avalanche
-182 -0.6 U 7.5
Source: Model Updated: Oct 23, 10:10 AM

Our Picks

Spread
Pass
Model: -0.6 | Edge below threshold
Total
Pass
Model: 7.5 | Edge below threshold

Key Matchup Factors

Key Matchup Factors:

  • Market Total Signal (+6.50): This factor contributes +6.50 to the projection, favoring Avalanche.
  • Away Streak (+3.00): This factor contributes +3.00 to the projection, favoring Avalanche.
  • Home Streak (-2.00): This factor contributes -2.00 to the projection, favoring Lightning.
  • Home Ice (+1.00): This factor contributes +1.00 to the projection, favoring Avalanche.

Recent Trends

Avalanche Trends:

  • Colorado Avalanche is 14-2 straight up on a 3+ game win streak
  • Colorado Avalanche is 11-2 straight up with 3+ days rest
  • Colorado Avalanche is 33-16 straight up with 2+ days rest
  • Colorado Avalanche is 24-11 straight up vs teams below .500
  • Colorado Avalanche is 3-8 ATS vs teams above .500

Lightning Trends:

  • The over is 5-0 in Tampa Bay Lightning's games on the road as an underdog
  • The over is 7-1 in Tampa Bay Lightning's games on the road on a back-to-back
  • Tampa Bay Lightning is 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games
  • The over is 5-0 in Tampa Bay Lightning's games underdog
  • The over is 7-1 in Tampa Bay Lightning's games on a back-to-back

Matchup Edges

Avalanche

Advantages

  • Home ice advantage worth 0.3 goals in our model
  • Strong offense averaging 4.1 GPG
  • Market Total Signal contributes +6.50 points to home projection

Disadvantages

  • Goaltending concerns with a 0.897 save percentage
  • Model sees 0.9-point edge favoring the away side
  • Allowing 3.0 GPG on defense leaves room for opponent scoring

Lightning

Advantages

  • Strong 7-2-0 (5-0-0) record (78% win rate) this season
  • Potent offense averaging 3.4 GPG
  • Stout goaltending allowing just 2.6 GPG
  • On a 3-game winning streak with rising confidence
  • Home Streak contributes -2.00 points favoring away

Disadvantages

  • Playing on the road, sacrificing 0.3 goal of home ice advantage
  • Model win probability of just 35% on the road
  • Averaging 2.6 GPG allowed on defense

More NHL Picks for Saturday, October 24, 2026

Model projection by SharpBetz; write-up generated from the numbers above and checked against them. Updated Oct 24, 2026, 9:33 AM UTC View Our Track Record