Tampa Bay Lightning vs Colorado Avalanche Picks and Prediction for Friday October 23, 2026
The Tampa Bay Lightning will continue their road trip Friday night with a visit to Denver, Colorado, for a matchup against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena. The game is scheduled to begin at 9:00 PM ET, with coverage available on ESPN+. Tampa Bay comes into Friday night rolling 7-2 on the year, having won for the last five, including three in a row after a four-goal victory over Vegas in their last game. Colorado returns home Friday 5-4-1 overall, having lost three of the last four, including two in a row. Tampa Bay enters Friday as a +105 on the Money Line. Colorado is a -125 home favorite and the total is 6.5 Stay in the action with our NHL Picks.
Tampa Bay tries to stay hot
The Tampa Bay Lightning have scored the puck well this season, averaging 3.44 goals on 29.8 shots, and they have scored nineteen goals across their last four wins. Defensively, Tampa Bay has been just as strong, allowing 2.56 goals on 24.2 shots, and they've given up 7 total goals during their current three-game winning streak. Nikita Kucherov is leading the Tampa Bay offense this season with 13 points and 9 assists. Brandon Hagel is second on the roster with 12 points, and he leads the way with seven goals scored. Jake Guentzel is third on the team this season with 9 points.
Andrei Vasilevskiy led the show for Tampa Bay in their last game, giving up two goals on 34 shots to post a .941 save percentage. Anthony Cirelli led the scoring for Tampa Bay last time out with two goals on two shots in 10.5 minutes on the ice. Nikita Kucherov added to the scoring with one goal and two assists. Three other Tampa Bay players chipped in one goal each.
Key Injury Report for Tampa Bay:
- Anthony Cirelli (Day-To-Day) – Oct 23
- Yanni Gourde (IR-NR) -Dec 2
Colorado looks to end their skid
The Colorado offense is one of the best in the NHL, averaging 4.1 goals on 30.6 shots. Defensively, Colorado has held their own, allowing three goals on 27.3 shots per game, but they've given up ten goals across their last three losses. Nathan MacKinnon is leading Colorado this season with 16 points and 10 assists. Martin Necas, Cale Makar, and Artturi Lehkonen are all tied for second on the roster with 11 points each, and Lehkonen leads the team with eight goals scored.
Scott Wedgewood struggled in the net for Colorado last time out, giving up three goals on 40 shots to post a .925 save percentage in just under 56.5 minutes on the ice. Arturri Lehkonen led the way for the Colorado offense with two goals in nearly 17 minutes. Gabriel Landeskog chipped in one goal on three shots, and Cale Makar added two assists in the game.
Key Injury Report for Colorado:
- Nicolas Roy (Day-to-Day) – Oct 23
- Logan O'Connor (IR-LT) _Oct 25
- Zachary L’Heureux (Out) – Oct 28
- Georgii Merkulov (IR-NR) – Oct 28
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Colorado Avalanche Picks and Prediction
Pick: Colorado Avalanche -125
Colorado should have an opportunity to take advantage of its home ice when Tampa Bay visits Ball Arena on Friday night. The Avalanche feature an explosive offensive attack led by Nathan MacKinnon, Martin Necas, and Cale Makar, giving Colorado several different ways to generate scoring opportunities. MacKinnon's ability to create chances through the neutral zone will be particularly important against a Lightning team that possesses plenty of offensive talent of its own. Tampa Bay will need to remain disciplined defensively and prevent Colorado from creating odd-man rushes, especially when the Avalanche begin attacking with speed. The Lightning have enough experience and offensive firepower to make this a competitive matchup, but Colorado's ability to generate pressure and capitalize on defensive mistakes should make the difference. Look for the Avalanche to establish their offensive rhythm and secure a victory at home.
Pick: Over 6.5
Friday night's matchup between Tampa Bay and Colorado features two teams capable of producing plenty of offense, making the over an attractive selection. The Avalanche have several elite offensive players who can create scoring chances from different areas of the ice, while Tampa Bay features Nikita Kucherov, Jake Guentzel, and Brandon Hagel among its offensive weapons. Both teams should have opportunities to generate quality looks at the net, particularly when their top offensive units are on the ice. Colorado's speed could create problems for Tampa Bay in transition, but the Lightning have enough offensive talent to answer if the Avalanche establish an early lead. Special teams could also play an important role, as both clubs possess dangerous power-play personnel. With the offensive talent available on both sides, this matchup has the potential to develop into a high-scoring contest that finishes over the posted total.