Avalanche vs. Jets Playoff Series Predictions, Odds

Finishing with a sonic boom, the Winnipeg Jets enter the playoffs with seven straight victories. With one game remaining in their season, the Jets have Stanley Cup odds of +1500, the sixth-longest of the 16 playoff teams.

It’s somewhat surprising to see the Winnipeg Jets Stanley Cup odds remain unchanged in the last week. The Jets have soared since losing six in a row, swatting aside Central Division foes the Dallas Stars, Nashville Predators, and their first-round opponent, the Colorado Avalanche. 

Avalanche vs. Jets Playoff Series Preview, Predictions, Odds

A few weeks ago, the thought of playing the Avalanche would have sent Jets fans running for the hills, which, if you’ve been to Winnipeg, is a gruelling and thankless task. That’s not the case anymore, with the teams entering the playoffs on opposite trajectories.

The Avs’ record has snowballed recently. They lost four of the last five and five of the previous seven, including a demoralizing and embarrassing 7-0 loss at home to the Jets. The Avs also struggled mightily against the Jets, losing all three contests by a 17-4 margin. 

Where Winnipeg Has the Advantage

The Jets should enter the series more confidently due to the momentum they’ve gained during the run-in. Winnipeg is also a much more well-rounded team, which is not reflected in their hockey odds to win the Stanley Cup. 

Rick Bowness’ team has allowed the second-fewest goals (2.42), while the Avs concede 3.10 goals per game, which ranks 17th. 

Opening at home is also a massive advantage for the Jets due to Colorado’s substantially inferior play on the road. The Avs had the league’s best home points percentage (.763) but were mediocre on the road, ranked 12th with a .537 points percentage. 

Winnipeg is a much better team in close games, especially when they score first. The Jets are the NHL’s best team when they get off the mark first, winning 93% of those contests. Meanwhile, the Avs are 20th when they score the opener. 

Connor Hellebuyck shuts the door for his 5th @pepsi shutout of the season! 🙅‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/00rab920C3

— NHL (@NHL) April 13, 2024

The Jets are also better in one-goal games, for which Connor Hellebuyck can take much of the credit. Between the pipes, Winnipeg has the most discernible advantage. Hellebuyck will almost assuredly win his second Vezina Trophy after a sensational season that saw him finish atop most categories, including goals saved above expected. 

He finished at 33.1 goals saved above expected, 11 better than second-place Thatcher Demko. Meanwhile, Alexander Georgiev finished at five, ranked 25th. 

Where Colorado Has the Advantage 

The Colorado Avalanche can never be counted out due to their top-end talent, led by Hart Trophy favourite Nathan MacKinnon. 

He was a one-man wrecking crew all season, even playing well against the Jets. In the three losses to Winnipeg, MacKinnon notched four points. Not bad, considering the Avs were shut out in the final head-to-head. 

Cale Makar, the NHL’s second-favourite to win the Norris Trophy, and Mikko Rantanen will also give the Jets’ elite defence all they can handle. The Avs averaged 3.67 goals per game in the regular season, the NHL’s most. 

Colorado is far superior on home ice, but they’ll have to make do with playing a maximum of three contests at Ball Arena. 

Finally, special teams are another one of the Avs’ strong suits. The Jets must stay out of the penalty box to knock off the Avs, who’ve been among the favourites to win the Stanley Cup for most of the season. 

Colorado Avalanche vs. Winnipeg Jets Series Prediction 

Securing home-ice advantage could prove decisive for the Jets. 

While the Avs’ glitz, glamour and elite talent are impossible to turn a blind eye to, the Jets are much better collectively. 

In addition, Hellebuyck has the ability to steal a series, which cannot be said of Georgiev, who has underperformed for much of the season and has just nine games of playoff experience. 

Had it been two weeks ago, I would have suggested backing the Avs. But the Jets look sensational at the moment. If they continue to perform at such a high level, they should advance to the second round. 

Best Bet: Winnipeg Jets to win the series (+115)

2024 Playoff Series Predictions & Odds