Welcome, ladies and gents, to the epic showdown between the Winnipeg Jets and the Colorado Avalanche! It’s like watching a high-stakes game of Monopoly where the only thing you can land on is ‘Go’—and let me tell you, the Jets are rolling in the dough with a 12-1 start this season, entering this match as -145 moneyline favorites! If only my bank account could reflect a similar success!
Avalanche vs. Jets Odds
- Colorado Avalanche Moneyline: +120
- Winnipeg Jets Moneyline: -145
- Puck Line: Avalanche +1.5 (-190), Jets -1.5 (+155)
- Game Total: 6.5 (Over -115, Under -105)
All odds via Sports Interaction.
Matchup
Now, let’s break this down, shall we? The Jets, looking great and sitting comfortably atop the standings, have two bucks in their pocket while Colorado has just found some loose change under the couch with a record that looks like the Avs are in a street fight with their GPS system: 5 wins, 8 losses—talk about lost in translation! But hold onto your skates! The teams’ past playoff meeting saw Colorado sending the Jets packing like the last kid picked for dodgeball. Ouch! And don’t underestimate the dominance of Winnipeg this regular season; they’ve schooled the Avalanche 2-5 since the Avs won the Cup. You’ve got to feel for their school teachers; that’s a harsh report card!
But hang on a second! The Avs aren’t down for the count yet, even as they’re stumbling out of the gate. The elite players? Yes, we’ve got Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar—two names that sound like they belong in an elite spy film rather than a hockey rink—ranked one and two in league scoring. Let’s keep our fingers crossed Makar is fit to play; otherwise, the Avalanche might have a meltdown that even an iceberg could see from space!
Handicapping Avalanche vs. Jets
Now, Winnipeg fans are over the moon with their current hot streak, but let’s cool those jets—quite literally—before we crown them Stanley Cup champions. They’ve had a friendly schedule, mostly at home against teams that would struggle to beat a two-legged, caffeinated moose; 10 of their 13 opponents weren’t even on the playoff Alex Reed list last season! I say we hit the brakes and take another look at them in a month. As they take off on a tough road trip, they’ll need more than just a lucky rabbit’s foot!
Colorado is scraping by, but their stats tell a different story; they might need to channel their inner Rocky Balboa for this game! Hitting the top 10 in expected goals and shot attempts means they’re still a threat when it comes to putting the puck in the net, or at least, *attempting* to… they seem to excel at that. Remember, no team scored more goals per 60 minutes than Winnipeg last season—it’s like a shooting gallery out there! But, spoiler alert: the Avs are hanging tight, too, with the second-best power play. Who needs a cuppa tea with stats like those?
In goal, looks like Connor Hellebuyck is expected to start for the Jets and if he brings his A-game, the Avs might wanna find a comfy seat on the bench. But let’s not pretend this will be a snooze-fest; both teams are likely to drop a few goal bombs as they’ve combined for 11 out of their last 12 meetings scoring over 6—betting the over might be the way to go; I’d wager my last slice of pizza on it!
Best Bets for Avalanche vs. Jets
Artturi Lehkonen Over 2.5 Shots On Goal (+100) & Anytime Goal (+240)
Lehkonen has returned like a surprise Alex Reed at a party you thought was canceled! After a shoulder surgery mishap, he’s back on the ice making waves. With four shots in his last game, he looks ready to roll like a winner on a game show!
Gabe Vilardi Anytime Goal (+190)
He turned his ignition on and finally decided to stop running on fumes! Gabe Vilardi is lighting it up lately, scoring in five of the past seven games. A statement that could make a traffic light go green—he’s definitely heading in the right direction!
In a highly anticipated rematch, the Winnipeg Jets and Colorado Avalanche will collide for the first time since the Avalanche ousted the Jets in a decisive five-game series during the first round of the 2024 playoffs. However, buoyed by an impressive 12-1 start to the season, the Jets are listed as -145 moneyline favorites for this game.
Avalanche vs. Jets Odds
- Colorado Avalanche Moneyline: +120
- Winnipeg Jets Moneyline: -145
- Puck Line: Avalanche +1.5 (-190), Jets -1.5 (+155)
- Game Total: 6.5 (Over -115, Under -105)
All odds via Sports Interaction.
Matchup
Currently sitting atop the standings, Winnipeg boasts only one loss in its first 13 games, accumulating a total of 24 points—twice as many as the struggling Colorado Avalanche, who are positioned in sixth place. The Jets’ commanding performance grants them a six-point cushion over the second-placed Minnesota Wild and a substantial ten-point edge over the Dallas Stars in the competitive Central Division. Meanwhile, after overcoming a dismal start of 0-4 with an impressive five-game winning streak, the Avalanche has faltered, having lost three of their last four matches, which leaves them operating below the .500 mark for the season.
Last season, Colorado eliminated Winnipeg in the playoffs, but historically, the Jets have had the upper hand in regular-season encounters, with the Avalanche managing only a 2-5 record against them since clinching the Stanley Cup in 2022. The status of star defenseman Cale Makar remains uncertain as he departed Tuesday’s game due to an injury. However, Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar indicated that Makar is feeling “okay” and has not ruled out his participation. Nathan MacKinnon leads the league in scoring with 25 points, closely followed by Makar with 23 points.
Handicapping Avalanche vs. Jets
The Jets’ remarkable start has shifted public perception, but experts advise a cautious approach when evaluating their sustained success. While Winnipeg has looked impressive, it benefits from a relatively easy schedule; over half of their games have been played on home ice, facing several teams that struggled last season. In fact, 10 of Winnipeg’s 13 opponents have missed the playoffs in the previous year.
Despite their strong showing, the Jets rank outside the top 10 in both shot attempts and expected goal differential during five-on-five play. While undeniably skilled, the true caliber of the Jets may not be as reflected by their impressive record, especially with a grueling schedule ahead. After facing off against Colorado and Dallas at home, the Jets will embark on a challenging stretch of 11 out of 13 games on the road, competing against some of the league’s top teams.
For Colorado, the start to the season hasn’t been ideal, though the Avalanche still rank among the top 10 in expected goals and shot attempts percentage at five-on-five situations, highlighting their offensive prowess. Winnipeg leads the league in goals per 60 minutes and boasts the top power play unit, yet Colorado follows closely with the ninth-highest goals per 60 minutes and the second-best power play overall. It’s worth noting that the Avalanche were the premier offensive team in the previous season.
Winnipeg will enjoy an advantage in goal with Connor Hellebuyck poised to start against Alexandar Georgiev. However, this matchup might not be low-scoring; Winnipeg and Colorado combine for an impressive 17-7-2 when it comes to totals going over this season, with both teams exceeding six goals in 11 of their last 12 encounters, playoffs included. This suggests a high-octane showdown, and I’m focusing on a couple of player prop bets.
Best Bets for Avalanche vs. Jets
Artturi Lehkonen Over 2.5 Shots On Goal (+100) & Anytime Goal (+240)
Artturi Lehkonen made an instant impact upon his return to the Avalanche lineup following offseason shoulder surgery, netting a power-play goal and contributing an assist. Partnered with Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen, he rekindled their effective chemistry on the ice. Lehkonen concluded the game with four shots on goal, recording an impressive 11 unblocked attempts in a total of 22:25 of ice time.
Gabe Vilardi Anytime Goal (+190)
Many believe that Gabriel Vilardi possesses the potential to score 30-40 goals this season. After a slow start without any goals in his first six games, he has turned the tide, lighting the lamp in five of his last seven outings. While Kyle Connor continues to lead the team in scoring, it’s worth noting that Evolving Hockey indicates that Vilardi has generated a higher expected goal rate per 60 minutes than Connor since joining the Jets, and he’s now outperforming him in total goals scored per 60 as well.
Ast 12 matchups. Given their scoring potential and recent performances, it sets the stage for what could be an exciting offensive showdown.
while the Winnipeg Jets are riding high with a strong start this season, the Colorado Avalanche have the capabilities to turn things around. With individual players like Artturi Lehkonen and Gabe Vilardi posing scoring threats, both teams could see the scoreboard light up. Keep an eye on the performance of Connor Hellebuyck in goal for Winnipeg; if he delivers a standout performance, it could tilt the game in the Jets’ favor. Ultimately, the Avalanche will need to harness their offensive skills and overcome their recent woes if they aspire to secure a win in this rematch against a team that knocked them out of the playoffs last season.
With betting lines and player statistics considered, this matchup certainly has the makings of a thrilling encounter in the NHL!
