NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction: Avalanche vs Jets Game 1 (Sunday, April 21)
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Avalanche vs. Jets Odds
| Avalanche Odds | -105 |
| Jets Odds | -114 |
| Over / Under | 5.5 -122 / +100 |
Here's everything you need to know about the Colorado Avalanche vs. Winnipeg Jets on Sunday, April 21 – our expert NHL prediction and pick.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Day two of the NHL playoffs is here, and tonight we have a heated matchup between division rivals.
The Avalanche had an extremely weak April. Aside from destroying the shorthanded Oilers in the final game of the regular season, they went 2-4-1. Colorado got cold at the worst possible time and now faces an opponent that has had its number all season.
Winnipeg ended its season on an eight-game winning streak, and three points away from the Central Division title. There is also going to be a White Out in the Canada Life Centre, where the Jets are 27-11-3 this season.
We all know the gravity that the Colorado Avalanche offer. Nathan MacKinnon will be in the MVP discussion and Mikko Rantanen has registered consecutive 100-point seasons. Defenseman Cale Makar also had himself a point-per-game season.
Beyond the “big three,” Colorado has loads of depth that can contribute, such as Casey Mittelstadt, Devon Toews and Valeri Nichushkin. However, it will be missing Jonathan Drouin tonight due to an injury.
Colorado’s 5-on-5 play was extremely concerning toward the end of the season. In April, it ranked 26th in expected goals with a 43.11 xGF%, and 29th defensively with a 3.9 xGA/60.
The Avalanche’s power play thrived over the past 10 games(24%), but the penalty kill was astoundingly bad (65%).
Goaltending will be Colorado's biggest question mark in these playoffs. Alexandar Georgiev started in 62 games and had an extremely subpar season. He posted an .897 SV% and 5.0 goals saved above expected (GSAx).
There’s a lot of scoring depth on the Jets. They have 14 players with double-digit goals and are led by Kyle Connor, the team’s most natural goal scorer. Mark Scheifele led the team in points with 72, and Josh Morrissey continues to be a stalwart on the blueline. Winnipeg definitely bolstered up its front line as well, adding Sean Monahan and Tyler Toffoli during the season.
April has certainly been kind to the Jets, hence the eight-game winning streak. They ranked sixth with a 56.51 xGA/60, but fourth defensively with a 2.53 xGA/60.
Special teams have worked out greatly in the past 10 games for Winnipeg. It scored on the power play at a 21% clip, and the penalty kill thrived at 82.6%.
Jennings Trophy winner, and Vezina Trophy favorite Connor Hellebuyck will lead the Jets out of the tunnel. After signing a long-term extension in Winnipeg, he posted a season with staggering numbers. His .921 SV% was second and his 33.1 GSAx led the league.
Avalanche vs. Jets
Betting Pick & Prediction
If you took a look at my Friday piece that discussed my favorite underdog picks for round one, you saw that I’m backing Winnipeg in this series.
The Jets are a slight favorite in Game 1, but are an underdog in the series. I suppose I get the line of thinking — Colorado has higher end talent, but hasn’t played well lately. Additionally, the Avalanche fell 7-0 to the Jets at home in a pivotal seeding game.
I expect a raucous crowd and with the Jets being so dominant as of late, their excellent home record and the Avalanche’s subpar 19-16-6 road record, I’m going to back Winnipeg tonight.
Pick: Winnipeg Jets Moneyline at -114
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