Colorado Lost Game 1 Without Makar, And Oddsmakers STILL Say Vegas Is Toast

Alright, fam, are you catching these NHL Conference Finals?! Because what’s unfolding in the Western Conference is absolutely WILD. Our frenemies down south, the Vegas Golden Knights, somehow snagged a 4-2 ROAD victory against the Colorado Avalanche in Game 1. You'd think that’s a massive step, right? Historically, Game 1 winners in the playoffs take the series over 68% of the time! But get this: the oddsmakers still have Vegas as the UNDERDOGS. Seriously, what are they smoking out there?

The Western Conference Is Already Heating Up

I mean, a road win in Game 1 usually still means a 57.2% series-winning percentage. Not exactly free and clear for the Knights, are they? The Avalanche were totally sleeping, trailing 3-0 early in the third period of that opener, but then they woke up and made Vegas sweat. And here’s the kicker: Colorado was missing their absolute stud defenseman, Norris Trophy favorite Cale Makar, who apparently dinged his shoulder against Minnesota last round. No clue if he’s back for Game 2 or later, but you KNOW that’s a massive boost when he does hit the ice. Vegas isn’t off the hook either; their captain Mark Stone got banged up against the Anaheim Ducks last round. He skated before Game 1, but there’s no word on when he’s back for real. The pros are calling for both Makar and Stone to be back before Game 4, and despite losing the opener, they’re picking the Avalanche, who finished atop the league in the regular season, to win the series in six games. Talk about a comeback story brewing, Emerald City!

Can the Canes Keep Cruising in the East?

Meanwhile, over in the Eastern Conference, it’s a whole different vibe. The Carolina Hurricanes are super-duper favored to absolutely dispatch the Montreal Canadiens. And yeah, the Habs are a cool story, right? Rookie goalie Jakub Dobes dragged them through two Game 7s, with Alex Newhook scoring the game-winners in both! They’re young, exciting, and love a wide-open, high-scoring game. But let’s be real: this is Mount Everest for them. The Hurricanes not only swept Montreal in the regular season, but they finished atop the ENTIRE Eastern Conference and SWEPT their way through the first two rounds! Their relentless pace and stifling forecheck are on another level, and Frederik Andersen in net has only given up 10 goals in eight playoff games. Plus, the Canadiens are probably gassed, needing seven games in both their previous series, while the Canes have been chilling for a dozen days. Rust could be a thing for Carolina, but you can't ignore that fatigue for Montreal. It's gotta be real! So, will the oddsmakers be proven right, with the Avalanche mounting a comeback and the Hurricanes just steamrolling through? Or will these underdog narratives prove everyone wrong and blow up all the predictions? You KNOW I’ll be glued to the screen, watching every single shift. Get ready for some absolute playoff madness, folks, because these series are gonna be wild!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.