Carter Hart dazzled with 36 saves as the Vegas Golden Knights triumphed over the Colorado Avalanche with a decisive 4-2 victory in Game 1 of the 2026 NHL Western Conference finals on Wednesday. With this win, the Golden Knights aim to secure their second Stanley Cup in four years, while the Avalanche chase their second title in five years.

As the series shifts to Ball Arena in Denver for Game 2, scheduled for Friday at 8 p.m. ET, the top-seeded Avalanche, now facing a potential 2-0 deficit, look to reclaim control at home. Current odds favor Colorado at -201 (risking $201 to win $100), while the over/under for total goals sits at 6.5.

The SportsLine Projection Model has simulated the matchup 10,000 times, revealing valuable insights for betting. Notably, the model projects the total goals to exceed 6.5 based on the high-scoring capabilities of both teams this season:

• Avalanche: Average 4.1 goals per game
• Golden Knights: Average 3.7 goals per game

In addition to the scoring predictions, the model forecasts standout performances from key players:

• Nathan MacKinnon (Avalanche): 0.84 points
• Jack Eichel (Golden Knights): 0.61 points
• Mark Stone (Golden Knights): 0.56 points

The model also indicates that the Over has been successful in 16 of 31 games started by Hart, emphasizing the likelihood of another high-scoring affair. With the stakes high, both teams prepare for an electrifying Game 2, and bettors are advised to check the SportsLine model for the latest insights and predictions.