Avalanche vs. Jets Game 2 Prediction: Stanley Cup Playoffs Odds
Both teams struck fast and furious in Game 1 on Sunday night, with the score tied at three after the first period. It was the Jets that ultimately prevailed with a 7-6 win, while the Avalanche have a major concern in net.
Game 2 opened as a pick’em on the NHL odds, with the total set at 6.0.
Avalanche vs. Jets NHL Betting Odds
Winnipeg continued their dominance over Colorado this season. The Jets have won all four regular season/playoff games between the teams, outscoring the Avs a combined 24-10 in the process. Defensive breakdowns and poor goaltending have led to Colorado allowing 20 total goals in their last three games against Winnipeg.
The series odds have flipped following the Jets’ Game 1 victory. After opening the series as +115 underdogs, Winnipeg is now a -165 favourite to win. The Avalanche went from -135 on the series line to +140. The favoured exact series result is the Jets winning in six games at +380. If you’re looking for a long shot, a Colorado win in five games is +900.
After sitting as a top three favourite to win all season, the Avs’ Stanley Cup odds have plummeted to +1300 on the futures board, so now’s the time to back them if you still think they have a chance. But, if you’ve been impressed by Winnipeg, you can also get the Jets at +1300 to win the Cup.
Colorado Avalanche
Colorado looked in control for the first eight minutes of Game 1, with Valeri Nichushkin opening the scoring, but a wild back-and-forth saw the period end in a 3-3 tie. The Avs never regained the lead in the 7-6 loss. Miles Wood, Nathan MacKinnon, Artturi Lehkonen, Cale Makar and Casey Mittelstadt also scored for Colorado. Alexandar Georgiev made 16 saves.
There’s only one issue that matters for the Avalanche right now and that’s what to do in net. Georgiev has been atrocious over the last month, posting an abysmal .841 save percentage across his last nine starts. It’s unclear if Colorado will even have the option to start rookie backup Justus Annunen as he missed Game 1 with an illness. Arvid Holm, who has never played an NHL game, served as the backup in Game 1, but he was more of an emergency recall rather than a realistic option to see any game action. If Annunen is healthy he’ll likely start Game 2, if he’s not, the Avalanche will turn back to Georgiev.
Winnipeg Jets
The Jets were heavily outshot 46-23 on Sunday, but they made the most of their opportunities. Kyle Connor and Adam Lowry each scored twice, while Josh Morrissey, Vladislav Namestnikov and Mark Scheifele also found the back of the net. Despite giving up six goals, Connor Hellebuyck looked sharp in net with 40 saves. Hellebuyck, who is a heavy favourite to win the Vezina Trophy, had the fourth-best goals-against average in the regular season (2.39) and the second-best save percentage (.921). If would be shocking if the Avs put another six goals past Hellebuyck in a single game.
Winnipeg managed to capitalize on one of two power play opportunities, but special teams continue to be an issue as they failed to kill off both their minor penalties. During the regular season, the Jets had the 22nd ranked power play in the NHL, converting on 18.8 per cent of opportunities, and they were 21st on the penalty kill (77.1 per cent). Those numbers aren’t sustainable for a long playoff run.
COL
WIN