The'Colorado Avalanche'(50-25-7) hit the road to face the Winnipeg Jets (52-24-6) in Game 1 of their 1st-round series at Canada Life Centre. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Avalanche vs. Jets odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Avs are in the unusual spot of 3rd place in the Central Division as they struggled between the pipes, tied for 16th with 3.07 goals allowed per game. They still have a great offense, leading the league with 3.68 goals per game (GPG). C Nathan MacKinnon took his game to another level with 140 points and put his name firmly in the running for the Hart Trophy.
The Jets go as G Connor Hellebuyck goes, and they were tied for 1st with 2.41 goals allowed per game. Offensively, the Jets were 15th with 3.16 GPG and 22nd on the power play at 18.8%. LW Kyle Connor led the team with 34 goals in 65 games. The Jets beat up on the Avs this season, going 3-0 and outscoring them 17-4 in the process.
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