Using OddsTrader’s computer picks, we were able to place tonight’s best bet based on the information generated.
Just four points separate today’s opponents in the Western Conference with the Winnipeg Jets currently on 71 points and Colorado 67. With that said the Avalanche have the added advantage of having played four games less.
Colorado Avalanche vs. Winnipeg Jets
Friday, February 24, 2023 – 08:00 PM EST at Canada Life Centre
Avalanche to Struggle Without Makar
Although the Colorado Avalanche have been performing pretty well up until now without last year’s Norris Trophy winner Cale Makar (winning 3 of their previous 4 games), we believe they could struggle on the road tonight against a very strong home team in the Winnipeg Jets.
There are also some goaltender concerns for the Avalanche here as Alexandar Georgiev has been poor in net in recent games allowing 3.50 goals per game and his record this season against the Jets has been disappointing allowing 4.5 goals per game in two matchups.
The Avalanche are now five points inside the playoff berth and have played one game less than the closest team chasing them down, the Nashville Predators.
Healthy Jets Can Go Top of Division
The Winnipeg not only comes into this game with no major injury problems. Although they are likely missing David Gustafsson and Cole Perfetti, neither player is integral to the team right now.
Thanks to the demise of the Dallas Stars who have now lost 8 of their previous 10 games, the Jets can go top of the Central Division and into 2nd place in the Conference with a victory on home ice tonight.
Although Winnipeg has only scored 3.10 goals per game (ranked 19th) they have the second-best penalty kill in the league behind the Boston Bruins, killing 84% of their opponents’ powerplays. The Jets have also only allowed 2.59 goals against this season (ranked 3rd best).
Stats and Trends
Colorado Avalanche
- The total has gone Under in 10 of Colorado’s last 11 games on the road.
- Colorado is 7-1 in their last 8 games against an opponent in the Western Conference.
- Colorado is 4-1 in their last 5 games.
Winnipeg Jets
- The total has gone Under in 5 of Winnipeg’s last 6 games.
- Winnipeg is 8-1 in their last 9 games against an opponent in the Western Conference.
- Winnipeg is 14-3 in their last 17 games against an opponent in the Central Division.
The Pick
The Winnipeg Jets have been much more of a profitable proposition this season having accumulated +7.1 units of profit compared to the Colorado Avalanche’s -1.0 units.
Our computer is predicting a home win tonight, and given the fact that the Jets have the best home record on home ice sitting at 20-8, we can’t disagree with laying the -103 on the moneyline with Unibet.
With Connor Hellebuyck set to start in the crease for the Jets, it should boost their chances of success as he has a 16-7 home record allowing only 1.98 goals per game. Last time he faced the Avalanche he made 40 saves and has had 70 against them in two games this season, conceding only two goals. Not bad for a 130th draft pick in 2012.
The Jets have won 8 of their previous 10 home games and have outscored Colorado 9-1 in their previous two meetings at the Canada Life Centre.
Final Score Prediction: Colorado Avalanche 2 – Winnipeg Jets 3
NHL Pick: Jets ML (-103) at Unibet
