Colorado Avalanche vs New Jersey Devils Picks and Predictions for Tuesday, October 20, 2026

The Avalanche have been piling up goals early this season, and they'll try to keep that going Tuesday against New Jersey. Colorado heads to Prudential Center in Newark for a 7:00 pm ET game on ESPN+. The Avalanche sit third in the Central Division with a 5-2-1 record. Their latest win came Friday, when they beat Pittsburgh 5-2. The Devils are 4-4-0 after a 4-2 loss to Washington on Saturday. New Jersey had looked much better two nights earlier, beating the Rangers 7-1. Both teams have picked up three wins in their past five games. Find your next winner with our free NHL picks.

Colorado Avalanche Finding Ways to Score

Pittsburgh got a good look at what Colorado's offense can do Friday. Five goals were enough to put away the Penguins, and it wasn't the first time the Avalanche had enjoyed that kind of night. They scored seven in Calgary earlier this month and have found the net at least three times in four of their last five games. Through eight games, Colorado is averaging 4.50 goals on 30.8 shots. Opponents haven't had nearly as many opportunities, managing 25.9 shots and 2.88 goals per game. The Avalanche have also killed off 85.0% of opposing power plays while converting 20.7% of their own.

Nathan MacKinnon already has 16 points, and he's played only eight games. Six of those points have come from goals, with the other 10 coming from assists. Artturi Lehkonen has also scored six times, while Martin Necas has chipped in 10 points and Cale Makar has nine. Colorado's goaltending has been solid enough to support all that scoring. Mackenzie Blackwood owns a 4-2-0 record, a .890 save percentage and a 2.86 goals-against average. Scott Wedgewood has played less, going 1-0-1 with a .902 save percentage and 2.40 GAA.

Injuries: Colorado is missing Zachary L'Heureux, Nicolas Roy, Logan O'Connor and Georgii Merkulov.

New Jersey Devils Need Better Goaltending

The Devils were coming off two straight wins when they visited Washington on Saturday, but the Capitals handed them a 4-2 loss. Before that, New Jersey had beaten Detroit 5-4 in overtime and put seven goals past the Rangers. The Devils have been getting plenty of opportunities, taking 35.0 shots a game. They're scoring 3.13 goals per outing, although keeping opponents off the scoreboard has been a problem. New Jersey is giving up 3.38 goals despite allowing just 25.0 shots. The Devils have converted 20.7% of their power plays, but opponents have scored on 30.4% of theirs.

Jack Hughes has nine points in eight games, with seven coming on assists. Nico Hischier has found the net four times, and Jesper Bratt has contributed two goals and five assists. Luke Hughes has three goals from the blue line, matching Arseny Gritsyuk's total. New Jersey has players who can produce, but the numbers in goal haven't been encouraging. Jake Allen has won three of his five decisions, although his save percentage sits at .876. Nico Daws has one win in three decisions and has stopped just 85.7% of the shots he's faced. Allen's goals-against average is 3.18, compared with 3.38 for Daws.

Injuries: Connor Brown, Nick Bjugstad and Seamus Casey are out. Luke Evangelista is day-to-day.

Key To The Game

Colorado has the edge in scoring, but New Jersey sends more shots toward the net. The Devils can't afford to give MacKinnon and Lehkonen repeated chances, especially with their goaltending numbers. Special teams could matter too. Colorado has killed off 85.0% of penalties, compared with just 69.6% for New Jersey. Avoiding penalties will be important for the Devils.

Colorado Avalanche vs New Jersey Devils Pick

• Colorado Avalanche

Colorado has been scoring freely, and MacKinnon already has 16 points in eight games. New Jersey creates plenty of shots, but its goaltending has struggled, with Allen and Daws both below an .880 save percentage. The Avalanche have also been stronger on the penalty kill, giving them an advantage if the game gets physical. New Jersey can score, but Colorado has more reliable goaltending and will win on Tuesday night.

Colorado Avalanche vs New Jersey Devils Over/Under Pick

• Over

Both teams have been finding the net, and New Jersey's goaltending has left plenty of room for opponents. Colorado averages 4.50 goals per game, while the Devils score 3.13 and allow 3.38. New Jersey also takes 35.0 shots a night, so it will create chances of its own. The Avalanche scored five against Pittsburgh, and the Devils recently put seven past the Rangers. This matchup will finish over the total.