NHL: One Betting Expert Predicting Big Game 2 From Kadri Tuesday Night (Avalanche vs. Wild)
Game 2 Info:
Location: Ball Arena, Denver, CO
Date: Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Puck drop: 8:00 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN, CBC
Moneyline: Wild +160 | Avalanche -190
Puck Line: Wild +1.5 (-145) | Avalanche -1.5 (+125)
Over/Under: Over 6.5 (-105) | Under 6.5 (-115)
Nazem Kadri stood out in Game 1, leading all players with the most shots on goal and finding the back of the net. My Wild vs. Avalanche predictions expect Kadri to deliver another strong offensive showing in Game 2. Kadri was a one-man shooting gallery in the series opener, generating a game-high eight shots on nine attempts. Kadri’s shooting success against Minnesota isn’t a surprise; in five head-to-head matchups this season, he’s averaged 4.4 shots on 6.8 attempts per game. That track record makes sense given the Wild allowed the fourth-most shots to centers during the regular season and ranked 29th in defending the slot, Kadri’s preferred area at both 5-on-5 and on the power play.
Kadri spent a lot of his 5-on-5 time against the Michael McCarron line, a matchup that favors the Colorado Avalanche. He also skated on the top power-play unit alongside Nathan MacKinnon, Martin Necas, et al. That usage is highly favorable and makes Kadri a strong candidate to find success in Game 2. Kadri has picked up a point in five of his last six home games against Minnesota.
Mats Zuccarello has recorded multiple shots on goal in nine of the last 11 against the Avalanche, including Game 1. With Kirill Kaprizov drawing much of the attention, Zuccarello will have opportunities.
Betting picks:
– Nazem Kadri Over 2.5 shots on goal
– Nazem Kadri Over 0.5 points
– Mats Zuccarello Over 1.5 shots on goal
