Colorado Avalanche vs Winnipeg Jets Prediction 4-26-24 Picks

In this article we will formulate a Colorado Avalanche vs Winnipeg Jets prediction for this NHL game on Friday, April 26th at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. The winner of this series will play the winner of the Dallas Stars vs Vegas Golden Knights series. 

Can Colorado Make it Two in a Row?

The Colorado Avalanche really struggled in their first four meetings with the Jets this year, losing by scores of 4-2, 6-2, 7-0, and 7-6, but they were able to bounce back and tie the series at one last time out. The Avalanche lost a very high scoring game one in this series, but they picked up a 5-2 win in game two. In that victory, Colorado trailed 2-1 in the second period, before scoring the last four goals in the game for the win. Colorado recorded 32 shots on goal, went 0-3 on the power play, and recorded 45 hits in game two. The Avalanche are a very high scoring team with plenty of talent, but their defense and goaltending has been a bit of question mark. 

Colorado really has not played very well over the last few weeks, as they have lost eight of their last 13 games, but they did beat Edmonton 5-1 to close the regular season. In those 13 games, the Avs have allowed at least four goals in seven of them. Colorado is scoring 3.68 goals per game and they are allowing 3.07 goals against per game, while going 24.5% on the power play and 79.9% on the penalty kill. Cale Makar has led Colorado in this series with one goal, four assists, and six shots on goal. Lehkonen, Nichuskin, and Wood have also added two goals for Colorado. 

The Jets Need to Defend

The Winnipeg Jets were one of the best defensive teams in the NHL this season, but they have allowed 11 goals in the first two games of this series. Winnipeg won a back and forth game with Colorado in game one, as they scored five of the last eight goals in the 7-6 win. Despite the win, Winnipeg still allowed 46 shots on goal and gave up two power play goals. In game two, Winnipeg blew a 2-1 lead in the second period and was out shot 32-30. The Jets were better on the penalty kill in game two and they blocked 20 shot attempts. Winnipeg needs to focus on their defending, as they do not want to get into many shootouts with a team like Colorado. 

The Jets have won nine of their last ten games, including quality wins over Colorado, Vancouver, Dallas, and Nashville, but they definitely need to win one of these games in Denver. Winnipeg is scoring 3.16 goals per game and they are allowing 2.42 goals against per game, while going 18.8% on the power play and 77.1% on the penalty kill. Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor both lead Winnipeg with four points in the series, while Adam Lowry has also scored two goals. 

Starting Goalies

The projected starting goalie for Colorado is Alexandar Georgiev, who has allowed nine goals on 53 shots in the series. Georgiev has been shaky in the first two games, but he had a 3.02 goals against average and an .897 save percentage during the regular season. Winnipeg is slated to start Connor Hellebuyck, who has allowed 10 goals on 77 shots through two games. Hellebuyck was outstanding in the regular season, as he had a 2.39 goals against average and a .921 save percentage. 

Colorado Avalanche Team Facts

• The Avalanche have won 14 of their last 16 home games against Western Conference opponents.
• The Avalanche have covered the puck line in each of their last six night games at Ball Arena following a road win.
• The Avalanche have won the second period in each of their last four games against the Jets following a road win.
• The ‘Over 2.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in each of the Avalanche’s last five home games.

Winnipeg Jets Team Facts

• The Jets have won four of their last five games as underdogs.
• The underdogs have covered the puck line in six of the Jets’ last seven games.
• The Jets have won the first period in four of their last five games at Ball Arena.
• The ‘Over 2.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Jets’ last seven games at Ball Arena.

Colorado Avalanche vs Winnipeg Jets Prediction

The first two games in this series have been very entertaining and we have seen plenty of goals. These two teams like to play at two different paces, but Colorado has been able to dictate the pace through two games. The Avalanche have also been great at home this season, going 31-9-1 on home ice. On the other side, Winnipeg is 25-13-3 on the road. I think the over is definitely worth a look, especially with how wide open the first two games have been, but I think we are getting value with the Jets. Winnipeg has owned Colorado this season and despite the recent results, they are still a great defensive team. My Colorado Avalanche vs Winnipeg Jets Prediction is for the Jets to pick up a massive road win.