New Jersey Devils vs Colorado Avalanche Picks and Predictions for Wednesday October 28 2026
Colorado owes New Jersey one. The Devils beat the Avalanche 4-3 last week, and now Colorado gets the rematch at home. But that’s not even the biggest reason I like the Avalanche. New Jersey has to play in Dallas on Tuesday, then head up to Denver for another game the following night. That’s a lot to ask, especially when Colorado has had a couple of days to rest. I don’t think the Devils are going to enjoy chasing the puck around Ball Arena with tired legs.
New Jersey visits Colorado at Ball Arena in Denver on Wednesday, October 28. Puck drop is scheduled for 9:00 PM ET, with coverage on Altitude and MSGSN. This is the second and final regular-season meeting. I’m taking Colorado on the moneyline and looking at Over 5.5 goals. Both selections are betting targets until live prices are confirmed. Get into the action with our free NHL picks.
New Jersey Devils Have a Difficult Road Trip
New Jersey already beat Colorado 4-3 on October 20, so the Devils know they can win this matchup. They did it at home, though, and Wednesday is a different situation. New Jersey has Dallas on Tuesday before flying to Denver. That means two games in two nights against good Western Conference opponents. The Devils have enough talent to handle difficult games, but this isn’t the schedule I’d want if I were backing them.
New Jersey has been capable of scoring in bunches, but the Devils haven’t always defended consistently enough to protect a lead. That becomes a bigger problem when the team is tired. Colorado moves the puck quickly, and the Avalanche can make defenders work through long shifts. If New Jersey starts getting stuck in its own zone, I don’t see the Devils having much fun trying to deal with Colorado’s top offensive players. The Devils need to keep this game from turning into a track meet.
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Jack Hughes remains the player Colorado has to worry about most when New Jersey gets into the offensive zone. Nico Hischier gives the Devils another dangerous center, and Jesper Bratt can create chances when the puck starts moving. But the biggest question Wednesday might be in goal. New Jersey plays Tuesday, so there’s a good chance the Devils change goaltenders for the second game. I’d want that confirmed before betting. The difference between a rested starter and a backup can matter quite a bit against Colorado.
Colorado Avalanche Have a Better Setup for the Rematch
Colorado lost the first meeting 4-3 in New Jersey, and I expect the Avalanche to remember that one. They had chances to win but couldn’t get the defensive stops they needed. Now they’re back home after playing Nashville on Sunday, with two days between games. That’s a much better setup than New Jersey has. Colorado should have the fresher legs, and that’s important for a team that likes to play fast.
The Avalanche can create offense from just about anywhere on the ice. Their defensemen join the attack, the forwards move the puck quickly, and opponents don’t get much time to settle down. That’s the sort of game New Jersey could struggle with after playing Dallas. Colorado hasn’t been perfect defensively, and the first meeting showed that. But at home, with more rest, I’d expect the Avalanche to spend a lot more time attacking than defending.
Nathan MacKinnon had six goals and ten assists through Colorado’s first nine games, and Cale Makar had three goals and six assists. That’s 16 points from MacKinnon and nine from a defenseman before the season was even two weeks old. Artturi Lehkonen had also scored six goals. Those are the players New Jersey has to keep track of, and that’s easier said than done when you’re tired. Colorado still needs to confirm its starting goaltender, but I like the Avalanche’s offensive options in this matchup.
New Jersey Devils vs Colorado Avalanche Picks and Predictions
Colorado Avalanche Moneyline
I’m taking Colorado to win. New Jersey beat the Avalanche last week, but the Devils had the benefit of playing at home and being in a better scheduling spot. This time New Jersey is coming from Dallas on the second night of a back-to-back, while Colorado has had two days off. MacKinnon and Makar are difficult enough to deal with when you’re rested. I don’t like New Jersey’s chances of keeping up with them late Wednesday. The Devils have enough offense to make this close, and I wouldn’t be shocked if Hughes has a big night. But I think Colorado gets more good chances and wins the rematch.
Over 5.5 Goals — Target Total
I’ll take Over 5.5 if that’s available. The first meeting finished 4-3, and both teams have enough offense to produce another game with six or seven goals. Colorado can score quickly, and New Jersey has the players to answer. The biggest question is the goaltending. If both teams get strong performances in net, this could turn into a 3-2 game. But with New Jersey playing on consecutive nights and Colorado looking for revenge, I expect chances at both ends. Colorado 4-2 is where I’m leaning.
Final Picks: Colorado Avalanche Moneyline and Over 5.5 Goals (target total)
Preview prepared October 27, 2026.
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