Colorado Avalanche at Winnipeg Jets Game 2 odds, picks and predictions
The Colorado Avalanche try to rebound against the Winnipeg Jets in Game 2 of their best-of-7 Western Conference, 1st-round series at Canada Life Centre Tuesday. Puck drop is set for 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Avalanche vs. Jetsodds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
We cashed all 3 bets as the Jets held on for a 7-6 win in Game 1 Sunday. C Nathan MacKinnon had a goal and an assist, and RD Cale Makar had a goal and 2 assists. The Avs' bugaboo rendered its head again, though, as G Alexandar Georgiev allowed 7 goals on 23 shots.
The Jets got up 6-3 a few minutes into the final period, but the Avs made it close. G Connor Hellebuyck was treated like a firing squad, stopping 40 of 46 shots. LW Kyle Connor stepped up with 2 goals in the 3rd period to keep his team afloat. The Jets have now won all 4 meetings against the Avs this season.
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Avalanche at Jets odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:35 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Avalanche -120 (bet $120 to win $100) | Jets +100 (bet $100 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Avalanche -1.5 (+200) | Jets +1.5 (-250)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)
Avalanche at Jets projected goalies
Alexandar Georgiev (36-15-5, 2.57 GAA, .907 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Connor Hellebuyck (7-4-1, 2.35 GAA, .925 SV%, 2 SO)
Georgiev has been a dumpster fire of late, allowing 4+ goals in 5 of 6 starts to end the regular season. He was 0-2 with a 5.66 GAA and .833 SV% in 2 starts against the Jets this year before allowing 7 goals on 23 shots in Game 1. The team could turn to backup Justus Annunen, who was bothered by an illness coming into the series. At the very least, Georgiev will have a short hook.
"Helley" was very human in this one, allowing 6 to go by but stopping 40 in the process. He struggled in the playoffs last season, going 1-4 with a 3.44 GAA and .886 SV%, which is a big cause for concern. If this series becomes a track meet, the Avs would benefit. Hellebuyck stopped 92 of 96 shots the Avs fired at him in 3 regular season games.
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Avalanche at Jets picks and predictions
Prediction
Jets 4, Avalanche 3
Moneyline
The Jets showed resilience in Game 1. Colorado went up 3-2 with under 5 to go in the 1st, and they tied it 48 seconds later. The Jets scored the next 3 goals, and the Avs made a run, but it wasn't enough.
The problem, though, is that the Jets can't survive a lengthy track meet. They don't have the elite players to keep up with MacKinnon, Makar and RW Mikko Rantanen. Conversely, the Avs can't compete if their goalie is Swiss cheese between the pipes. The books like the Avalanche to counter. I don't think they do until they hit home ice, though.
Take the JETS +100.
Puck line/Against the spread
I'm going to PASS on the puck line and go right back to the well.
Hellebuyck had 40 saves in Game 1 and 30+ saves in all 3 meetings during the regular season.
Take CONNOR HELLEBUYCK OVER 29.5 SAVES (-130).
Over/Under
We cashed an Over 5.5 in the 1st period of Game 1. The books have reacted, but I still like the Over.
The final scores of each matchup this season were 7-6, 7-0, 6-2 and 4-2. It's not nearly as attractive as Game 1, but LEAN OVER 6.5 (+100).
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