Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Colorado Avalanche: Picks, Predictions, Odds and Player Props

While Mikko Rantanen's return to the Central Division with the Dallas Stars less than six weeks after Colorado had traded him to the Carolina Hurricanes may have been the biggest move at the trade deadline, the Avalanche made some positive moves of their own to strengthen their squad for what they will hope is a deep run in the battle for the Stanley Cup.

Colorado arguably addressed its biggest need with the acquisition of Brock Nelson from the New York Islanders on Thursday night before adding further depth by landing Charlie Coyle from the Boston Bruins, while Erik Johnson was brought back to bolster the defensive ranks in a trade with the Philadelphia Flyers.

The Toronto Maple Leafs, while perhaps not making the flashiest of moves, also took care of their biggest concerns by bringing in forward Scott Laughton from the Flyers as well as defenseman Brandon Carlo from the Boston Bruins.

Only time will tell if those trades are the difference-makers to postseason hopes, but they will certainly have bolstered the optimism for each going into Saturday night's big game at Ball Arena.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Colorado Avalanche betting picks and predictions

Colorado Avalanche -1.5 (+165)

While both teams look pretty assured of a playoff place, there is still work to do to secure the best possible starting position. Toronto is in second in the Atlantic Division, two points behind the Florida Panthers with a game in hand, although only one point clear of the Tampa Bay Lightning in third. There is currently an 11-point gap to the Ottawa Senators in fourth so the top three are seemingly fighting it out for the divisional title, and a first round against a wildcard.

Colorado holds third in the Central Division, level on points with the Minnesota Wild below them, but eight points behind the Stars and 16 adrift of the league leading Winnipeg Jets. The Avs do have an eight-point cushion over the teams chasing the wildcards so their playoff destiny remains very much in their own hands.

And they also have the form to chalk up another win on Saturday, having reeled off four straight, all on home ice, by an aggregate score of 21-7. The Avs thumped the San Jose Sharks 7-3 last time out, an interesting form line with the Sharks having beaten the Leafs in a shootout in Toronto on Monday night.

The Leafs had won five straight before that home loss to San Jose but were soundly beaten 5-2 by the Vegas Golden Knights last time out in the first of a three-game road trip and they may have hit the buffers at just the wrong time.

While Toronto has won on their last two trips to the Ball Arena, this is the first matchup between the two this season and the Avalanche have won three of the last five head to heads.

Colorado have been firing at home of late, dispatching the New Jersey Devils 5-1 and the Wild 5-2 in their current winning streak, and with the addition of second-line center Nelson, in particular, boosting their scoring depth, they can see off the Leafs on Saturday night.

Valeri Nichushkin 3+ shots on goal (+100)

Valeri Nichushkin's return to the lineup has coincided with Colorado's four-game winning streak but even prior to his injury, the Avalanche had won five straight with him in the side as he demonstrated his importance to the team.

The likes of Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar may take all the attention both on and off the ice, but that can work in the Finn's favor in more ways than one, and he looks great odds at +100 to register at least three shots on goal against Toronto.

While he has been relatively quiet in his last two games, managing just two shots against Pittsburgh and only one against San Jose, he had rattled off five in the wins over New Jersey and Minnesota in a run of seven games with at least three shots.

Given the offensive talent that the Avs have on their roster, as well as the arrival of an improved center in Nelson alongside him, Nichushkin looks likely to be given plenty of opportunities to test the opposing goaltender once again.

Nathan MacKinnon anytime goalscorer (+135)

Nathan MacKinnon is one of the superstars of the NHL and is the reigning Hart Memorial Trophy winner, as the most valuable player to his team.

The 29-year-old scored four goals for Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off and after a quiet return to NHL duty, he has exploded into life to ignite the Avs' current win streak.

MacKinnon has scored four goals in his 11-point haul in this stretch and he looks worthy of consideration at +135 to hit the net once again on Saturday night.

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Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Colorado Avalanche odds

Toronto Maple Leafs	+125
Colorado Avalanche	-150
Puck Line	COL Avalanche -1.5
Total Goals	O/U 6.5

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Colorado Avalanche player props

Anytime Goalscorer

Auston Matthews (TOR Maple Leafs)	+110
Nathan MacKinnon (COL Avalanche)	+135
Brock Nelson (COL Avalanche)	+145
William Nylander (TOR Maple Leafs)	+165
Mitchell Marner (TOR Maple Leafs)	+220
John Tavares (TOR Maple Leafs)	+240

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.