The Colorado Avalanche, undefeated at home this postseason, open the Western Conference Final against the Vegas Golden Knights. The Avs, Presidents' Trophy winners, face a Knights team that changed coaches midseason. Nathan MacKinnon leads the playoffs with 18 points, while Scott Wedgewood starts in net for Colorado. Carter Hart mans the crease for Vegas, seeking to become the first midseason coach to win the Cup since 2019.

MacKinnon, a +180 Conn Smythe favorite, has scored in 46.2% of his playoff games, the fourth-highest rate ever. He’s on a six-game goal streak and is -110 to score here. Mitch Marner, thriving in his first playoffs with Vegas, has 18 points, a career high. The Avs’ 23-13 goal differential at 5-on-5 underscores their even-strength dominance. Vegas counters with a high-powered offense that scored 25 goals but allowed 25 in 12 games.

This is a rematch of the 2021 second round, won by Vegas in six after trailing 2-0. The Knights try to become the first team to win the Cup after a midseason coaching change since the 2018-19 Blues. With Colorado undefeated at home and only one of their nine playoff games exceeding seven total goals, a low-scoring, tight-checking series appears likely. The Avalanche’s experience and home-ice streak make them the clear Game 1 favorite.