A premier goaltending matchup suggests that scoring will be limited when the Colorado Avalanche visit the Winnipeg Jets on Friday. Here's sports betting analyst Scott Cullen's top NHL pick for the showdown based on the best NHL odds.
While most of the season has been a struggle for the defending champion Avalanche, the tide is starting to turn in their favor as the team gets healthier.
The Avs are 11-2-2 in their past 15 games. They're within two points of the Minnesota Wild with three games in hand for third place in the Central Division.
Meanwhile, the Winnipeg Jets are one point behind the first-place Dallas Stars in the Central Division. But the Jets have been stumbling while winning just six of their past 14 games.
Here is our best Avalanche vs. Jets NHL pick (odds via DraftKings Sp ortsbook; Pick confidence is based on a 1-to-5-star scale).
Check out our NHL best bets for Friday.
Avalanche vs. Jets pick
The goaltenders will decide this matchup, even with plenty of skill on both sides.
Jets netminder Connor Hellebuyck has been given the second shortest odds to win the Vezina Trophy (+550 at DraftKings). He's logged a .935 save percentage and 1.98 goals-against average over 23 games at Canada Life Centre.
Hellebuyck's 22.08 goals saved above expected on home ice ranks second in the NHL. Eight of Winnipeg's last 10 games have featured five goals or fewer. The other two contets landed on a total of six thanks to empty-net goals late in the third period.
A compelling matchup is ahead against Colorado Avalanche goalie Alexandar Georgiev. While Georgiev hasn't est ablished himself on Hellebucyk's level, the goalie has logged a .923 save percentage and 2.67 goals-against average over 23 road games. His 12.51 goals saved above expected on the road ranks third.
Taking the Under on a low total is going against the grain, but the Jets have been dragging totals down consistently. Avalanche playmaking defenseman Cale Makar being out is all the more reason to lean toward the Under.
Check out our latest Stanley Cup odds and Hart Trophy odds.
Avalanche vs. Jets best odds
| DraftKings | FanDuel | BetMGM | Caesars | PointsBet |
| Under 5.5 | Under 5.5 | Under 5.5 | Under 5.5 | Under 5.5 |
| +100 | -104 ?? | +100 | +100 | +100 |
Any time the total gets as low as 5.5, significant movement and variance are unlikely. The total isn't going any lower, so some standard pricing surfaces.
Most of our top-rated sportsbooks are offering the Under at even money. But FanDuel lags a little behind at -104. Given the alternatives, it makes sense to take advantage of that edge at other books.
Check out our Rocket Richard Trophy odds and Norris Trophy odds.
Avalanche vs. Jets odds
Check out our Calder Trophy odds.
Avalanche vs. Jets odds analysis
FanDuel opened with the Avalanche favored at -118, compared to the Jets at -102.
The line has since been moving in the opposite direction, even though 55 % of the wagers are coming in on Colorado. The game is now a pick 'em, with the Avs and Jets both priced at -110.
The total opened at 6, with opening odds at -105 for the Over and -115 for the Under. There's been some fluctuation, with the total going between 6 and 5.5 before settling on the latter. Currently, 66% of the wagers are backing the Over, though that percentage is likely higher on 5.5.
Avalanche vs. Jets game info
- Date: Friday, Feb. 24, 7 p.m. ET
- TV: NHLPP, ESPN+, TVAS, TSN3, ALT
- Location: Canada Life Centre, Winnipeg, MB
Avalanche-Jets pick made 2/24/2023 at 1:30 p.m. ET.
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