NHL betting preview (Jan. 22): Jets vs. Avalanche odds
Join Daily Faceoff’s Andy MacNeil as he handicaps Wednesday’s Central Division matchup between the Winnipeg Jets and Colorado Avalanche.
Jets vs. Avalanche Odds
- Winnipeg Jets Moneyline: +100
- Colorado Avalanche Moneyline: -120
- Puck Line: Jets +1.5 (-250), Avalanche -1.5 (+200)
- Game Total: 5.5 (Over -110, Under -110)
Game odds via Sports Interaction.
Handicapping the Jets (31-17 SU, 24-24 ATS, 21-24-3 O/U)
Winnipeg will conclude its two-game road trip in Colorado on Wednesday. The Jets are looking to bounce back after back-to-back losses. First, Winnipeg had its three-game win streak snapped in the final game of an eight-game homestand, losing 3-1 to the Calgary Flames. Then, the Jets fell 5-2 to the Utah Hockey Club, which prompted head coach Scott Arniel to call his team out. The Jets didn’t get on the board in that game until they had already surrendered four goals.
The Jets have won two of three games versus the Avalanche this season, though, both times shutting out Colorado. Winnipeg lost 5-2 in Colorado on New Year’s Eve, but backup Eric Comrie was in goal for that matchup and it’s been a much different story with Connor Hellebuyck between the pipes.
The reigning Vezina Trophy winner is 8-1-1 in his past 10 regular season games versus Colorado, with a 1.86 goals-against average and a .944 save percentage. Hellebuyck has posted four shutouts in his last seven starts against the Avalanche, including three straight.
Additionally, the Jets rank as the third-best team in even strength expected goals percentage over the last month, according to Evolving Hockey. They haven’t necessarily controlled play, owning approximately 50 percent of the shot attempts during this period, but I value quality over quantity.
Handicapping the Avalanche (28-20 SU, 18-30 ATS, 23-22-3 O/U)
Colorado, meanwhile, is aiming to bounce back after a 3-1 loss in Minnesota, but the Avalanche have won just one of their last six regular-season matchups versus the Jets. Colorado can earn a split in the season series with a win on Wednesday, as it will be the final meeting between these two teams, unless they meet in the playoffs again.
Only five teams have allowed fewer goals per 60 minutes than Colorado since goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood made his first start with the team on Dec. 14. Blackwood has gone 9-4-1 with a 1.97 GAA and a .928 save percentage since joining the Avalanche. However, scoring has all of a sudden become a problem for Colorado, and that’s not a good mix heading into a game against a goaltender that they’ve had a lot of trouble scoring against.
The Avalanche rank 24th in goals per 60 minutes over their last nine games, and their stars haven’t put up good numbers against the Jets in recent seasons, excluding playoffs. For example, Cale Makar, who leads all defenders in points this season, has just two points in his last eight games versus Winnipeg.
Best bet for Jets vs. Avalanche
- Nathan MacKinnon Over 3.5 Shots On Goal (-118)
Nathan MacKinnon hasn’t produced much versus the Jets in recent meetings, either. The reigning Hart Trophy winner and current points leaders, has just one point over his last four games versus Winnipeg. MacKinnon has only scored twice against the Jets in the past 11 meetings, but it’s not for a lack of trying. MacKinnon has registered 50 shots on goal in those 11 meetings versus the Jets, and he has gone over 3.5 shots on goal in eight of those 11 games.