NHL betting preview (Nov. 7): Avalanche vs. Jets odds
Winnipeg and Colorado will face off for the first time since the Avalanche eliminated the Jets in five games in the first round of the 2024 playoffs. However, the Jets enter the game as -145 moneyline favorites after a 12-1 start to the season.
Avalanche vs. Jets Odds
- Colorado Avalanche Moneyline: +120
- Winnipeg Jets Moneyline: -145
- Puck Line: Avalanche +1.5 (-190), Jets -1.5 (+155)
- Game Total: 6.5 (Over -115, Under -105)
All odds via Sports Interaction.
Matchup
With only one loss in their first 13 games, the first-place Jets have twice as many points as sixth-place Colorado. The Jets hold a six-point lead over the Minnesota Wild and a 10-point lead over the Dallas Stars in the Central Division. Colorado bounced back from an 0-4 start with a 5-0 run but have since lost three of its last four games, meaning the Avs are still below .500 on the season.
Colorado eliminated the Jets in the playoffs last season, but Winnipeg has dominated the regular-season matchups, with the Avalanche going 2-5 against them since their 2022 Stanley Cup win. Cale Makar is questionable for this matchup after exiting Tuesday’s game with an injury, but head coach Jared Bednar said Makar is feeling “okay” and he hasn’t ruled him out. Nathan MacKinnon (6-19–25) and Makar (5-18–23) currently rank one and two in league scoring.
Handicapping Avalanche vs. Jets
Winnipeg’s hot start has caused a lot of fans and pundits to change their opinion of the team, but let’s check back in a month’s time. The Jets have looked great, but they’ve also had a favorable schedule. More than half of their games have been at home, and only a handful of their opponents have been formidable. In fact, 10 of Winnipeg’s 13 opponents did not make the playoffs last season.
The Jets have played a lot of weak teams, and they still aren’t among the top 10 teams in shot attempts or expected goal differential at five-on-five. Don’t get me wrong, the Jets are good, but I don’t believe their record is a good reflection of their true talent and their upcoming schedule is tough. Following home games against Colorado and Dallas, Winnipeg will play 11 of 13 games on the road against some of the best teams in the NHL.
Colorado obviously hasn’t had the start that most expected, but the Avalanche do rank among the top 10 teams in expected goals and shot attempts percentage at five-on-five, and they’re still a force offensively in all situations. No team has scored more goals per 60 minutes than Winnipeg, and the Jets have the best power play, but Colorado ranks ninth in goals per 60 minutes and they’ve got the second-best power play. And, let’s not forget that they were the best offensive team last season.
The Jets will have an edge in goal with Connor Hellebuyck expected to get the start against Alexandar Georgiev, but that doesn’t mean it’ll be a low-scoring game. Winnipeg and Colorado are a combined 17-7-2 to the over this season and they’ve combined for six goals or more in 11 out of the last 12 meetings, including playoffs. So, with the expectation of a high-event game, I’m targeting a couple of player props.
Best Bets for Avalanche vs. Jets
Artturi Lehkonen Over 2.5 Shots On Goal (+100) & Anytime Goal (+240)
Artturi Lehkonen made an immediate impact in his return to the lineup after offseason shoulder surgery. The 29-year-old scored a power-play goal, assisted on another, and skated alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen, restoring their familiar chemistry. Lehkonen ended the game with four shots on goal from 11 unblocked attempts in 22:25 of ice time.
Gabe Vilardi Anytime Goal (+190)
Most fans and pundits agree that Gabriel Vilardi has the talent to put up 30-40 goals this season, and after failing to score in his first six games, he’s scored in five of his last seven games. Kyle Connor leads the team in scoring, as many would expect, but according to Evolving Hockey, Vilardi has generated more expected goals per 60 minutes than Connor since joining the Jets and now he’s scoring more goals per 60.