Are the Avalanche Quietly Built for Another Run?

Colorado Is the Market's No. 1 Cup Favorite

The Avalanche are priced as +220 favorites at certain books. That's an implied Cup probability around 31%, which is massive.

Their odds have shortened fast. +450 in November. +325 a month later. +220 by late January. That's the market recognizing Colorado is built for another run.

Why Colorado's odds shortened so fast:

• 34-5-9 record through late January (elite consistency)
• 77 points in 48 games (points in 43 of 48 games)
• MacKinnon, Makar, Rantanen all healthy and producing
• Georgiev stabilized in goal (not elite, but good enough)

If you're betting Colorado Cup futures now at +220, you're paying full price. The value is gone. But the team is legitimate.

Hockey moves fast. So do our picks. The Content Lab has the angles you actually need.

The Floors and Ceilings Are Both Elite

That pricing tells you bettors believe Colorado is built for both floors and ceilings. Elite regular-season consistency plus playoff-gear talent.

Colorado's floor is high because their top line (MacKinnon, Rantanen, Nichushkin) can carry them through slumps. Their ceiling is high because they've already won a Cup with this core and know how to peak in the playoffs.

The floors and ceilings breakdown:

• Floor: MacKinnon and Makar are top-5 players in the league (can carry the team)
• Ceiling: Championship experience (won in 2022, know what it takes)
• Regular season consistency: elite depth scoring beyond the top line
• Playoff gear: Makar can take over series when healthy

Teams with both high floors and high ceilings are rare. Colorado has both. That's why they're +220.

Think you can predict the chaos? Try Gridzy and prove it. Build your grid. Call your shots. It's free.

The Value Isn't in Cup Futures Anymore

If you're shopping for value rather than joining the crowd, the actionable angle is usually not "Avs Cup +220." It's derivative markets where the same dominance is priced less aggressively (conference, division, series-by-series) as long as health holds.

Colorado to win the Western Conference at +150 or better is better value than +220 to win the Cup. Colorado to win the Central Division at -200 or better is better value than +220 to win the Cup.

The derivative markets where Colorado is underpriced:

• Western Conference winner (they're the clear favorite)
• Central Division winner (they're running away with it)
• First round series winner (they'll be heavy favorites)

If you want Colorado exposure, bet the derivative markets where the odds are better. Don't pay +220 for Cup futures when you can get better value elsewhere.

Before puck drop, check the Content Lab for the sharp side.

The Health Risk Is Real

The biggest risk to Colorado's Cup run is health. MacKinnon, Makar, and Rantanen all have injury history. If any one goes down in the playoffs, Colorado's odds crater.

Makar missed significant time earlier this season. MacKinnon has dealt with injuries in the past. Rantanen is durable but not invincible.

The health factors that could derail Colorado:

• Makar injury (he's the most important player on the team)
• MacKinnon injury (the offense collapses without him)
• Goaltending regression (Georgiev is good enough when healthy, but not elite)

If you're betting Colorado Cup futures at +220, you're betting on health. If any of their top three get injured in the playoffs, the odds should balloon to +1000 or longer.

If you're betting goalies and totals, start in the Content Lab.

How to Bet the Avalanche

The smart Avalanche betting strategy is betting derivative markets where the odds are better than Cup futures.

Colorado to win the Western Conference at +150 or better. They're the clear favorite in the West. This is better value than +220 to win the Cup.

Colorado to win the Central Division at -200 or better. They're running away with the division. Lock this in now.

Colorado first round series winner at whatever odds. They'll be heavy favorites. Bet them to advance early.

Fade Colorado Cup futures at +220. The value is gone. The public has already hammered them. You're paying full price.

If you want Colorado exposure, bet the derivative markets. Don't pay +220 for Cup futures.

If you're feeling confident about tonight's slate, Gridzy is waiting.

The Bottom Line on the Avalanche

Colorado is priced as the market's No. 1 Cup favorite at +220. They're legitimate. Elite floors and ceilings. Championship experience. MacKinnon and Makar healthy.

But the value is gone. The public has already hammered them. If you want Colorado exposure, bet derivative markets (Western Conference, Central Division, first round series).

The biggest risk is health. If MacKinnon, Makar, or Rantanen get injured, the odds crater. You're betting on health at +220.

Don't pay +220 for Cup futures. Bet the derivative markets where the odds are better.

No puck tonight? Piggy Arcade's top casino picks are live.