Colorado Avalanche vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Picks and Predictions, Thursday October 16, 2025
Use Code SSWC The 2025/26 NHL season has started with a bang, and with so many teams having optimism for the season ahead, we'll take a look at a big contest with our Colorado Avalanche vs. Columbus Blue Jackets prediction.
The Colorado Avalanche (3-0-1) have been off to a red-hot start in 2025/26, and with the team finally healthy, there's optimism that this team can be a genuine Stanley Cup threat in the Western Conference once more.
On Thursday, they battle the Columbus Blue Jackets (1-2-0), a team that took a huge step forward a season ago, and with the core getting better and better as time goes on, they could be a dark horse in the East this year. Read on to see our Colorado Avalanche vs. Columbus Blue Jackets prediction.
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Can the Avalanche keep their point streak going?
Last season was a major letdown for the Colorado Avalanche, but with the team finally healthy, they've been fantastic to start 2025/26, going 2-0-0 on the road as they've picked up points in all four of their games to start the year. In three of those four games, the Avalanche have allowed just a single goal, and with the offense averaging just over three goals per game in that stretch, this is a team that's catching fire early in the year.
Through four games, the trio of Nathan MacKinnon (8), Martin Necas (8) and Cale Makar (5) have combined for an impressive 21 points, and with another four players having multiple points on the year, there's no reason why they can't keep this momentum going. Last time out for Colorado was a tight win over the Buffalo Sabres, with two goals to MacKinnon and two points to Makar leading the way as Scott Wedgewood made 27 saves as they picked up a necessary 3-1 victory on the road.
Expected goaltender: Scott Wedgewood (1.72 GAA, .932 save percentage in four games)
Can the Blue Jackets find some early consistency?
The Columbus Blue Jackets were close to a post-season berth a season ago, but after an 0-1-0 start to the regular season at home, they're looking to find their consistency as this young core looks to take another big step forward. Defensively, the Blue Jackets have been in every game by allowing just three goals per game, but with the offense scoring two or less in both of their losses, they'll need to find that balance as the season rolls on.
Leading the way in scoring for Columbus this season has been Kirill Marchenko and Dmitri Voronkov with four points each in three games, and with four other players posting two or more points to start the year, this is an offense that's got plenty of depth and strengths. Last time out for the Blue Jackets was a tough loss in their home opener to the New Jersey Devils, with goals to their two top Russians keeping this one close, and while Jet Greaves gave up just two goals on 27 shots, the team ended up falling 3-2 in a tough battle.
Expected goaltender: Elvis Merzlikins (4.00 GAA, .923 save percentage in one start this season)
Colorado Avalanche vs. Columbus Blue Jackets picks
Moneyline pick for Avalanche vs. Blue Jackets
- Colorado -160 (4 units)
On paper, this rivalry has been much closer than expected, but in 10 head-to-head matchups dating back to the 2019 campaign, it's the Colorado Avalanche with a tight 6-4 advantage over the Columbus Blue Jackets.
On top of that, the Avalanche are a perfect 2-0 to start the season away from home, and with the superstar advantage with the Avs' top players rolling to start the new season, expect them to make another statement in this matchup.
Over/under pick for Avalanche vs. Blue Jackets
- Over 6 (4 units)
Both of these teams have been very good in net this season, but in their lineups, all of the stars produce goals, with the over being 5-3-2 in their last 10 head-to-head encounters, with a total of 10 goals scored in each of their two meetings in 2024/25.
For the Avalanche, the over sits at 2-2 in four games this season, with seven goals scored in their two road games thus far, and for the Blue Jackets, the over comes in at 2-1 in 2025/26, with the team scoring 10 goals in that span.
Keep it simple, take the over.
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