Sunday NHL Odds, Picks, Prediction: Colorado Avalanche vs. Winnipeg Jets Betting Preview
Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images. Pictured: Darcy Kuemper.
- The Avalanche are road favorites against the Jets on Sunday afternoon.
- Colorado has already beaten Winnipeg three times this season, will this matchup be any different?
- Check out Tony Sartori's preview for the game and betting pick below.
Avalanche vs. Jets Odds
| Avalanche Odds | -205 |
| Jets Odds | +170 |
| Over/Under | 6.5 (-110 / -110) |
| Time | 7 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
| Odds via BetMGM. Get up-to-the-minute NHL Odds here. | |
We have a Central Division tilt on the docket as the first-place Colorado Avalanche travel to Winnipeg to take on the sixth-place Jets. This is the fourth meeting between these two teams this season and the Avalanche have won the three prior matchups by an average margin of 3.33 goals.
Will the Avalanche blow out Winnipeg once again, or can the Jets keep this game close?
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche enter this contest amidst a three-game losing streak following Friday night's 6-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. This game presents a good opportunity to end the small drought as Colorado has had Winnipeg's number all season.
While there may be concern about the effort level Colorado is showing as it has the first seed in the playoffs locked up, they are still in the President's Trophy race and sit just two points behind Florida. Even the Avalanche do not care about that award, I still believe a Colorado team giving a 75-85% effort level is better than a Winnipeg team playing for absolutely nothing.
Darcy Kuemper is the projected starting goaltender for Colorado in this matchup. Despite his recent lack of success, Kuemper has had a great season as he boasts a 0.923 save percentage and ranks 12th amongst starting goaltenders in five-on-five goals saved above expected per 60 minutes (GSAx).
I like this spot to buy low on Kuemper as he shut down Winnipeg in his lone start against them this season, stopping 34 of 35 shots for a stellar 0.971 save percentage. Colorado also boasts one of the best blue lines in the league in front of Kuemper as the Avalanche currently rank fourth in the league in five-on-five expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA).
Winnipeg Jets
Like Colorado, the Winnipeg Jets enter this contest in poor form as they have lost four straight games. All four of those losses have come by at least a two-goal margin and I do not see why they would have any better success against one of the best teams in the league.
Eric Comrie is the projected starting goaltender for the Jets and, despite being a solid backup all season, has started to slip lately as he has allowed three or more goals in three of his past four starts. Comrie probably won't get much defensive help in front of him as the Jets rank just 27th in the league this season in five-on-five expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA).
While Winnipeg has relied heavily on its offense, that too has fallen short of expectations recently. Over their past four contests, the Jets are averaging just 1.75 goals per game.
With their offense cold and their defense non-existent, I am not sure how Winnipeg can stay competitive in this matchup. Like I mentioned earlier, both teams may not be giving their best effort, but I would take Colorado at half-effort over Winnipeg at any effort level.
Avalanche vs. Jets Pick
Colorado has absolutely dominated this matchup over the past few seasons as they have won seven of the past eight meetings against Winnipeg. Of those seven wins, five have been by at least two-goals.
I believe we are getting a short number on the puck line for Colorado here due to their three straight losses. However, I think Winnipeg is a soft enough opponent where Colorado should be able to get back on track.
Pick: Colorado Avalanche -1.5 (+110) | Play down to (+100)
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