Two teams that are squarely in the playoff picture, the Colorado Avalanche and the Winnipeg Jets meet at Bell MTS Place for a Central Division showdown. Sportsnet will showcase the game, and the puck drops at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 3.
Colorado Avalanche vs. Winnipeg Jets Odds
Winnipeg is 30-22 straight up (SU) and has earned 7.0 units for moneyline bettors this year. That win percentage, ranked third in the Central Division so far this season, is a welcome improvement compared to what the team managed during last year’s regular season (40-42). Through 52 regular season matches, 25 of its games have gone over the total, while another 25 have gone under and just two have pushed. This season, the team is 18-5 SU at home.
The Jets currently have the third-strongest power-play unit in the NHL, as they’ve scored on 24.4 percent of their extra-man advantages this season. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 10th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 82.2 percent of all penalties.
The Jets, as a collective unit, have been penalized 3.9 times per game overall this season, 3.4 per game over their past five contests total, and 3.6 per game over their last five at home. The team has been forced to kill penalties for just 7.5 minutes per game over their last 10 matchups, in total.
Averaging 28.0 saves per game with a .924 save percentage, Connor Hellebuyck (26 wins, 16 losses, and eight OT losses) has been the primary option in goal for the Jets this season. If the Jets, however, choose to give him the night off, Winnipeg may go with Steve Mason (3-8-8 record, .897 save percentage, 3.52 goals against average).
Blake Wheeler and Patrik Laine will each spearhead the attack for the Jets. Wheeler (56 points) has put up 14 goals and 42 assists and has recorded multiple points 16 times this year. Laine has 23 goals and 17 assists to his name and has recorded a point in 32 games.
Colorado is 28-22 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 10.9 units this season. A total of 28 of its matches have gone over the total, while 20 have gone under and just two have pushed. As the road team, the Avalanche are 10-14 SU so far.
The Avalanche have scored on 20.7 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked third overall and it’s successfully killed off 83.8 percent of all opponent power plays.
Colorado’s players have been penalized 4.2 times per game in total this season, and 3.6 per game over their last five on the road. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 8.2 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Semyon Varlamov (.912 save percentage and 2.87 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Colorado. Varlamov is averaging 28.5 saves per game and owns a 14-12-2 record.
Nathan MacKinnon (24 goals, 37 assists) has been one of the top playmakers on offense for the visiting Avalanche.
Colorado Avalanche vs. Winnipeg Jets Betting Predictions
Free NHL Tip: SU Winner – Avalanche, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes
Two of Winnipeg’s last ten games have been decided by a shootout. The team is 1-1 in those games and 2-2 overall in shootouts this year.
Eight of Colorado’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 6-2 in those games.
The Jets this season have tallied the 12th-most hits per game (22.1).
