The NHL playoffs continue on Sunday evening as the Winnipeg Jets host the Colorado Avalanche. NHL odds list this game as a pick'em while the total sits at 5.5.
Find out which side of the total I’m on in my free NHL picks and Avalanche vs. Jets predictions for Sunday, April 21.
Avalanche vs Jets prediction
My best bet
Under 5.5 (+100 at SportsInteraction)
My analysis
The Winnipeg Jets are a good team that locked up the No. 2 seed in the Central for various reasons, but the primary factor is goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. He's essentially a shoo-in to win the Vezina Trophy and for good reason.
Through 60 starts this season, Hellebuyck is 37-19-4 with a commanding .921 SV% and 2.39 GAA. He ended the campaign in dominant form, going 5-2 over his final seven starts with a .930 SV% and 2.15 GAA.
One of those outings included his shutout performance against the Colorado Avalanche. Across his past seven starts against the Avs, Hellebuyck's 6-1 with a remarkable .942 SV% and 1.95 GAA.
Now, it certainly helps his cause that he plays behind a blue line that does an excellent job suppressing high-danger scoring chances. At 5-on-5, the Jets rank 10th in the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60).
While they're strong defensively, this team is also disciplined and does a good job staying out of the box as they rank eighth in penalty minutes taken per game. With great defensive play and goaltending, it's not shocking that Winnipeg finished the regular season ranked first in goals allowed per game.
However, the Jets aren't as efficient offensively, ranking 21st in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60). That could be an issue against an Avalanche team that also ranks in the top half of the league in goals allowed per game, shots on goal allowed per game, penalty kill percentage, and penalty minutes taken per game.
We're catching plus-money odds on the Under in this game because of Colorado’s powerhouse offense, but Hellebuyck has consistently proved he can handle the challenge.
Avalanche vs Jets same-game parlay (SGP)
Under 5.5
Jets moneyline
A low-scoring game plays in favor of Winnipeg's style as opposed to Colorado’s. The Avs will undoubtedly want to turn this into a track meet, but Winnipeg’s discipline defensively should slow them down.
And even if slowing down Nathan MacKinnon & Co. doesn’t work, the Jets have arguably the best goaltender in the world backing them up. Winnipeg won all three meetings between these two teams this season.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Avalanche vs Jets odds
Avalanche vs Jets live odds
Avalanche vs Jets opening odds
- Puck line: Colorado +1.5 (-270) | Winnipeg -1.5 (+205)
- Moneyline: Colorado -110 | Winnipeg -110
- Over/Under: Over 5.5 | Under 5.5
Avalanche vs Jets moneyline and Over/Under analysis
- This game opened as a pick‘em and remains as such price at the time of writing.
- I predict the market will come in hotter on Colorado just because of its star power, so you can probably wait to bet on Winnipeg until closer to puck drop without too much concern about the line swinging drastically in that direction.
- The total opened at 5.5 and also remains at that number at the time of writing.
- There will likely be a lot of push-and-pull in this market considering the Colorado offense is going against Hellebuyck.
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Avalanche vs Jets trend
There have been five or fewer total goals scored in nine of Colorado’s past 10 playoff games. Find more NHL betting trends for Avalanche vs. Jets.
Avalanche vs Jets game info
| Location: | Canada Life Centre, Winnipeg, MB |
| Date: | Sunday, 4-21-2024 |
| Puck drop: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ESPN2, Sportsnet |
Avalanche vs Jets latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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