Colorado Avalanche at Winnipeg Jets odds, picks and predictions
The Colorado Avalanche (18-9-2) meet the Winnipeg Jets (17-9-2) on Saturday at Canada Life Centre. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook's lines around the Avalanche vs. Jetsodds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Avalanche picked up a 5-1 win on home ice against the Buffalo Sabres last time out on Wednesday, and they have back-to-back wins for the 1st time since rattling off 4 straight victories from Nov. 22-27. Colorado will be looking to avenge a 4-2 home loss to Winnipeg at Ball Arena on Dec. 7.
The Jets earned a 5-2 win on the road against the Los Angeles Kings in their most recent outing on Wednesday, and Winnipeg has picked up 5 victories in the past 6, including that win over Colorado last week.
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Avalanche at Jets odds
FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:36 a.m. ET.
Avalanche at Jets projected goalies
Alexandar Georgiev (14-7-1, 3.00 GAA, .897 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Connor Hellebuyck (14-6-1, 2.42 GAA, .916 SV%, 1 SO)
Georgiev was knocked around for 5 goals last time against the Flames on just 21 shots. He was pulled after 2 periods in the comeback victory. He is 1-2-0 with a 3.59 GAA and .891 SV%, including that 4-2 loss to the Jets on Dec. 7 in Denver.
Hellebuyck has been on fire, and over an extended period, too. He kicked aside 32 of the 34 shots he faced in Colorado in the win Dec. 7, and he has allowed 2 or fewer goals in each of his past 9 starts dating back to Nov. 14.
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Avalanche at Jets picks and predictions
Prediction
Jets 3, Avalanche 2
The JETS (+106) are worth a roll of the dice as short 'dogs at plus-money on home ice.
Hellebuyck has been carrying this team to plenty of victories lately, and he was hard on the Avalanche (-128) in their barn just last week. He has won 8 of his past 10 starts, and there is just no reason to believe he'll all of a sudden fold like a tent.
The Jets +1.5 (-235) will cost you more than 2 times your potential return, and that's just too expensive for a little bit of insurance. If you like Winnipeg, just bet it straight up on home ice.
PASS.
The UNDER 5.5 (+112) is the lean, but go with a half-unit at best, even at plus-money.
It's Hellebuyck that is driving this Under train, as the total has ended up going low in each of his past starts dating back to mid-November.
The total has split in the past 4 road games for Colorado, but the Under did cash in the 1st meeting of the season between these teams. And the total has gone low at a 2-0-1 clip in the past 3 meetings in Manitoba.
