WC Game Four: Winnipeg Jets vs Colorado Avalanche Odds Preview

WC Game Four: Winnipeg Jets vs Colorado Avalanche Odds Preview

Colorado exposes Jets defense again to take a 2-1 lead in their best of seven.

The Winnipeg Jets (1-2) need a win badly on Sunday against the Colorado Avalanche (2-1) even though they’re down just one game. It’s the manner in which they’re losing after giving up six more goals in game three. That makes 17 goals allowed in three games and that won’t be enough to move to the second round.

Opening NHL odds show Colorado a consensus -165 favorite with a total of 6.5 (over -120). Puck drop is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. PT / 11:30 a.m. PT and can be seen on TNT, MAX, Altitude, and truTV. Let’s jump into our Jets vs Avalanche odds preview. 

Jets Collapse in Third, Injury Concerns for Game Four

There was a reason why the Colorado Avalanche were favored to win the series without the luxury of home ice and we’re seeing that play out before our eyes through three games.

Head Coach Rick Bowness is saying all the right things after his team fell 6-2 in Colorado, but the reality is until the Jets can stop the avalanche of goals scored against them, 2-1 will quickly become 4-1. Over three games, the Jets have allowed 17 goals including a 5-goal third period on Friday that led to the Jets doom.

Colorado’s isn’t the only worry heading into game four. Second pairing defenseman Brenden Dillon suffered a cut on his hand in what was nothing more than an end of game scum, leaving his status for game four questionable. Even if Dillon is able to play through the injury, the 6-4, 220-pound, d-man is a 20 minute a night player that will be at less than full strength at the very least.

Any impactful injury on defense could spell catastrophic for the Jets who have yet to play well in their end for 60 minutes. 

Three Power Play Goals Lifts Avs

Make no mistake, this is becoming the NHL’s version of war and the Avalanche showed that they are capable of bringing their game to a level that is Stanley Cup worthy. The team’s experience on the big stage showed especially when the Jets tried to turn the game into a war of attrition.

After Devon Toews received a stick to the face by the Jet’s Gabriel Vilardi, the Avalanche were awarded a 4-minute power play that led to the Valeri Nichushkin goal at the 2:37 mark to give the Avs a 3-2 lead. The penalty led to the Jets collapse and a stitched up Toews came back to put the finishing touches on a 5-goal third period and a 6-2 win.

Unlike Connor Hellebuyck, Colorado netminder Alexander Georgiev was doubting himself after his game one performance that did nothing but entice Jets series wagers after allowing seven Winnipeg goals, but even in victory, bettors had the feeling that a few more minutes would have led to a tie game.

Georgiev has allowed just two goals in each of the last two contests after his team rallied around him after the game one loss. Colorado has given up an average of less than 30 shots per game in the series while Hellebuyck has faced just under 39 shots a game.

Unless Winnipeg can find a way to win the Corsi battle in game four, this series will prove the oddsmakers correct. 

Big Moneyline Hasn’t Stopped Bettors

With Colorado a big favorite heading into game four, you would think that would stop the public from jumping on a favorite that could be up around -170 when the pick drops, but that hasn’t been the case with 81% of the early wagering coming in on the Avs.

Not only is the public on the Avalanche moneyline, but they can smell the blood in the water with 73% of the puck-line wagers too. With the Avalanche the top team in the West in our latest power rankings, Colorado is our Stanley Cup prediction to represent the West in the Stanley Cup Final after finishing third in the Central.

The playoffs are a different beast and teams like the Avalanche and Golden Knights are showing that experience and pedigree are often too much to overcome. Even with Colorado being the right side here, the price is too rich for our bankroll. We’re not giving up the 1 ½ to make the wager more friendly.

Back to the total we go where we thought we may see a seven but that’s not a number the books like to post so they’d rather hang some juice on the over 6 ½.

Our handicap is the same as it’s been for every game this series, until these two can stop lightning up the NHL scoreboard, there’s no reason to go against the trend unless one just wants to be a contrarian, hoping an under wager finally cashes.

Bet the over 6.5 (-120) as our official selection. That does it for our Jets and Avalanche odds preview, all the best with your NHL picks and parlays this weekend.

For NHL betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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