Avalanche vs Jets Picks, Predictions & Odds – Game 2

Goaltending was optional in Game 1 between the visiting Colorado Avalanche and the Winnipeg Jets as the home team outlasted Nathan MacKinnon & Co. 7-6 on Sunday night. Now bettors turn their attention to Game 2 this evening, with the Jets sitting as even money home dogs.

With Alex Georgiev giving up seven goals on 23 shots in Game 1, the Jets can erase any deficit tonight, even with a low shot total. With the NHL odds still overvaluing the Avs on the road, I’m looking to back the team that can fix the goaltending and defensive issues more easily.

I give you my best NHL picks for Avalanche vs. Jets predictions on Tuesday, April 23.   

Avalanche vs Jets prediction

My best bet
Jets moneyline (+100 at SIA)

My analysis
The Colorado Avalanche dominated at home this year but also finished 19-22 SU on the road with a 3.44 GAA which ranked just better than the Coyotes. Now this team is going to have to rely on Alex Georgiev to keep them coemptive and I don’t think this is a goalie with any confidence right now. 

On the road this season, Georgiev had a 3.47 GAA with a .887 save percentage. He gave up seven goals on 23 shots on Sunday and his body of work since April 1 has been atrocious.

The No.1 goalie has given up 29 goals over his last six games with a disturbing 5.61 GAA with a .832 SV%. But just when you think it can’t get any worse for the Avs, it does.

Backup Justus Annunen missed practice on Monday and might not be able to dress as the backup. That’s terrible news for a team getting nothing in net and may need a change just to motivate the squad with a 2-0 series deficit looming. 

The Winnipeg Jets have the better pieces to make an adjustment from a bad defensive game to a better one. This team has the better forward depth, the edge in net, and better bodies on the blueline. I’ve never been a Connor Hellebuyck fan but he still made 40 saves on Sunday and his defense should make better adjustments heading into tonight, especially with Colorodao’s zone entries that head coach Rick Bowness stressed were an issue in Game 1.

Getting the Jets at +100 is the best route here, especially with their team total Over 2.5 sitting close to -200. Colorado is overvalued on the road and the goaltending issues and depth are a serious concern. The Jets can make the biggest improvements defensively and in net tonight after a 13-goal opener.