The Winnipeg Jets (49-24-6) visit the Colorado Avalanche (49-24-6) on Saturday at Ball Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Jets vs. Avalanche odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: Jets lead 2-0
The Jets have won the first 2 meetings this season, including a 4-2 win in Denver as a moderate underdog (+125) as the total (6) pushed at most shops. Winnipeg has won 5 of the past 7 meetings in this series, and the Over-Under has split 2-2-3 in the past 7 battles.
The Avalanche and Jets are tied for 2nd place with 104 points, so home-ice advantage is at stake in this potential first-round playoff matchup. Colorado picked up a 5-2 win against the Minnesota Wild last time out, halting a 2-4-1 skid in the previous 7 outings.
The Over is a perfect 4-0 in the past 4 games, with the Avalanche averaging 4.0 goals per game (GPG), while allowing 4.3 GPG in the span.
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Jets at Avalanche odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:20 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Jets +130 (bet $100 to win $130) | Avalanche -155 (bet $155 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Jets +1.5 (-185) | Avalanche -1.5 (+150)
- Over/Under: 6.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)
Jets at Avalanche projected goalies
Connor Hellebuyck (35-19-4, 2.42 GAA, .920 SV%, 4 SO) vs. Alexander Georgiev (38-17-4, 2.95 GAA, .899 SV%, 2 SO)
Hellebuyck is confirmed to start Saturday. He stopped 45 of the 48 shots he faced in a 4-3 OT win against the Predators in Nashville Tuesday in his most recent outing. He is 3-0 with a 1.74 GAA and .935 SV% in 3 starts in the month of April.
Hellebuyck has topped the Avalanche twice in 2 tries. He made 30 saves on 32 shots in a 6-2 win against Colorado Dec. 16 at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, and he turned aside 32 of the 34 shots he faced in his only previous meeting in Denver.
Georgiev allowed 2 goals on 22 shots in a 5-2 victory against the Minnesota Wild last time out Tuesday. He had allowed 4 or more goals in 3 straight starts, including 6 goals in each of his first 2 starts in April.
Georgiev allowed 3 goals on 27 shots in a 4-2 loss at home against the Jets Dec. 7, his only appearance against Winnipeg this season.
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Jets at Avalanche picks and predictions
Prediction
Avalanche 4, Jets 3
Moneyline
The AVALANCHE (-155) is a solid play on home ice in this pivotal matchup in the Central Division, as well as in the Western Conference.
Colorado hasn’t played its best in April, winning just twice in 5 tries, and both of those wins are against the Minnesota Wild. However, the Avs are still 30-8-1 in 39 home games, one of just 3 Western Conference teams which haven’t had double-digit losses yet.
Puck line/Against the spread
The Jets +1.5 (-185) will cost you nearly 2 times your potential return, if you would like a little insurance, and you cannot play Winnipeg straight up.
Playing the Avalanche -1.5 (+150) isn’t a recommended option, either. While Colorado is on home ice, and that’s favorable, it has lost both previous meetings this season, and it cannot be trusted to cover the puck line.
PASS.
Over/Under
OVER 6.5 (+100) might be the best play on the board in this Central Division clash.
The Over has hit in 4 straight for the Jets, while cashing at a 3-1-1 clip in the previous 5 outings for the Avalanche. We also had 8 combined goals in the most recent meeting between these combatants Dec. 16 in Winnipeg, and the Over is 5-2-3 in the past 10 in the series.
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