Welcome to another edition of NHL Predictions with us here at Last Word On Hockey. The New York Rangers had a difficult game against the Vegas Golden Knights, and the road trip won’t get any easier against one of the leagues top teams on Thursday, the Colorado Avalanche. The Avs have lost only one game in regulation, and the Rangers couldn’t be playing them at a worse time.
NHL Predictions: New York Rangers vs Colorado Avalanche
2025-26 Season Series: First game this season (2024-25 season: Rangers 0-2 Avalanche)
How To Watch: ESPN+, MSG, ALT, KTVD, KUSA, Sportsnet+
Time: 9:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Location: Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado
Matchup Overview
The Rangers offence that had suddenly exploded just as quickly evaporated. The Rangers mustered only 19 shots and one goal against the Red Wings, and the same amount of shots and two goals against Vegas. The strength of the Rangers the past few years has been their special teams, but that strength looked like a weakness against the Golden Knights. The Rangers failed to score on their only power play opportunity, and gave up two goals on the power play. If that issue is not fixed, Colorado will do doubt exploit that weakness with their very strong power play.
The Avalanche are on a six-game win streak, and have been dominating their opponents in that span. Avalanche have one of the strongest power plays in the league, featuring talents like Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Maker, Martin Necas and Brock Nelson. Colorado is a strong five-on-five team as well, far superior to the Rangers.
Who has the Edge?
The Avalanche definitely have the edge in this matchup. Colorado looks like a guaranteed cup contender, while the Rangers look like a fringe playoff team. Colorado is led by Mackinnon, who resides among the top of the NHL’s point leaders with 33 points in 19 games. Martin Necas has exploded after signing his extension with Colorado, scoring 25 points in 19 games. Cale Makar is up to his usual production as well. Scott Wedgewood has been the number one goalie for Colorado this year, and he’s been solid with a .917 save percentage and a 2.17 goals-against average.
The Rangers, on the other hand, don’t have the kind of talent that Colorado has. Artemi Panarin is currently their point leader, and he has been hot recently. Even so, the Rangers just can’t match what Colorado has. New York’s defence has their work cut out for them, and the offence of the Rangers just won’t be able to match the Avalanche’s goal scoring. But, there is still a path to victory for the Rangers. Igor Shesterkin has shown that he can single-handedly carry this team to the promised land.
just insane goaltending from Igor Shesterkin. shimmys himself across his crease, makes a blind save with the back of his legs. even the best goalie in the world sometimes throws convention to the wind and just battles pic.twitter.com/9GUQLgqEjd
— Conor Hurley (@CHurls13) November 19, 2025
This incredible save that Shesterkin made against the Golden Knights is just proof of that. It is a long shot, but the Rangers can win this game and take down the Avalanche. The question is, how?
Prediction and best Prop Bets to watch
Final score: Avalanche 4-2 Rangers
We still predict that the Avalanche will win this game. But, there is a chance for the Rangers to win, and that chance relies on New York just waking up. It feels like the team has been asleep at the wheel for the last few games, particularly on offense. A strong opponent like Colorado should wake up any team, and it might do that for the Rangers. For the Avalanche, they just needs to stay disciplined and not turn the puck over. As long as Colorado protects the puck and their goaltender, they are the better team at the end of the day and should come out with the win.
In terms of good bets to watch in this one, there is one that’s more interesting than the others. Brock Nelson hasn’t played against the Rangers since March 3rd, 2025, and this is his first game playing them in an Avs uniform. In his last 15 games against them, he’s played pretty well, so look for him to get on the scoreboard in this one. Nathan MacKinnon didn’t record a point in Colorado’s next game, so he’s a good bet to score in this one as well.
For the Rangers, look for JT Miller to get hot. Fans on social media have been taking shots at Miller for his play against Vegas, and he’s been uncharacteristically unproductive so far this season. Miller is still seeing top-line minutes and has been on the first line power play despite his ineffectiveness this year, so the points will come. Miller is a fierce competitor, and in a game against a team as good as Colorado, there’s a good chance he wakes up raring to go.
Main Photo: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
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The post NHL Predictions: November 20th New York Rangers vs Colorado Avalanche appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.