Canadiens vs Avalanche Picks and Prediction – 1/5/2025

This Saturday, Cole Caufield and the Montreal Canadiens will travel to Ball Arena to face Nathan MacKinnon and the Colorado Avalanche in a cross-conference battle. Get ready for the NHL action with our NHL Picks. The Canadiens come into the matchup with a 17-17-3 record, riding momentum from a gritty 3-2 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday. Caufield has been a standout for Montreal this season, consistently leading the offense with his elite scoring touch and ability to perform in high-pressure moments.

Montreal’s offense has been driven by Caufield and support from Nick Suzuki, but defensive inconsistencies have made it challenging to string together wins. Against Colorado, the Canadiens will need to focus on tightening up their defensive play and converting on their scoring opportunities to keep pace with the Avalanche.

The Avalanche, holding a 24-15-0 record, are coming off a thrilling 6-5 overtime win against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday. MacKinnon has been electric this season, combining speed, skill, and playmaking to dominate games. With support from Mikko Rantanen and Cale Makar, Colorado boasts one of the most dangerous offensive cores in the NHL.

For Colorado, maintaining their offensive rhythm and taking advantage of Montreal’s defensive lapses will be critical. MacKinnon will look to set the tempo early, while the Avalanche’s depth ensures pressure on both ends of the ice.

This matchup pits Caufield’s scoring brilliance for Montreal against MacKinnon’s dynamic offensive presence for Colorado. While the Canadiens bring energy and determination, the Avalanche’s depth, recent momentum, and home-ice advantage make them the favorites. Take the Avalanche to win by at least two goals. Final Score Prediction, Colorado Avalanche win 5-3.