Date: October 16
Time: 7:10 PM EST
Location: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio
Moneyline Odds: Avalanche -160 | Blue Jackets +132
Game Preview
The high-powered Colorado Avalanche travel to Columbus to take on a Blue Jackets team looking to defend home ice. The Avalanche enter as solid road favorites, but both squads are navigating significant injury concerns that could play a major role in the outcome.
The Colorado Avalanche (-160) remain one of the league’s elite teams, but they are not without their challenges. The team continues to deal with the long-term absence of captain Gabriel Landeskog (Out for Season). Other key players like Valeri Nichushkin, Ross Colton, and defenseman Samuel Girard have also been impacted by injuries, according to various reports. Despite these absences, the core of Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Mikko Rantanen provides more than enough firepower to overwhelm most opponents, which is reflected in their favored status on the road.
The Columbus Blue Jackets (+132) come into this matchup as the home underdog, and their injury situation is a primary concern. According to reports, the team is dealing with a spate of injuries to key personnel. Most notably, center Sean Monahan is expected to be out until March following a wrist injury. The Blue Jackets have also seen players like Boone Jenner, Erik Gudbranson, Justin Danforth, and Yegor Chinakhov on the injury list, which severely tests their depth. The pressure will be on young stars like Adam Fantilli to generate offense against a formidable opponent.
Prediction
While playing at home gives the Blue Jackets a boost, their injury woes are too significant to ignore. The loss of a key center like Sean Monahan is a major blow to a team that needs all hands on deck to compete with the Avalanche.
Colorado, despite its own injury list, still possesses a core of superstars who can take over a game at any moment. The talent gap between a healthy Avalanche core and a depleted Blue Jackets lineup is substantial. Expect Colorado’s speed and offensive pressure to be the difference-maker in this contest.
The Pick: Avalanche Moneyline (-160)
Predicted Score: Avalanche 5, Blue Jackets 2
Sources:
Colorado Avalanche Injury Report and Status 2025-26 – CBS Sports
Colorado Avalanche Injury Status – ESPN
Stanley Cup Finals Game 4: Lightning vs. Avalanche Injury Report …
Avalanche injury updates on Gabe Landeskog, Valuri Nichushkin …
Colorado Avalanche Injuries | Puckpedia
Avalanche Injury Update: Samuel Girard’s Upper-Body Issue
Avalanche vs. Wild Injury Report Today – February 28 | Austin Daily …
Avalanche vs. Capitals Injury Report Today – November 15 | The …
Author: Data Skrive – Page 239 | Daily Leader
Author: Data Skrive – Page 302 | The Post-Searchlight