Avalanche vs. Jets 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs Odds & Game 2 Preview

By Hank Blaine • April 23, 2024

What a wildly entertaining Game 1 of the Western Conference first-round playoffs between Colorado and Winnipeg as the teams combined for 13 goals in the Jets’ 7-6 victory on Sunday. What to expect from Game 2 on Tuesday? Most certainly not 13 goals again.

The Jets and Avalanche combined for six goals in the first period. It was just the eighth series in Stanley Cup Playoffs history to feature six combined goals in its opening period. They also combined for six in the third period and marked the second playoff game in NHL history where two teams combined for six or more goals in multiple periods. The other: Game 1 of the 1982 Division Semifinals between the Kings and Oilers.

It was just the third Game 1 in NHL playoff history where two teams combined for at least 13 goals, along with Oilers-Kings in the 1982 division semifinals (18 goals) and Blackhawks-Red Wings in the 1985 division semifinals (14 goals).

Colorado Avalanche vs. Winnipeg Jets 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs Game 2 Information

A seven-goal performance from the @NHLJets secures them the win in Game 1! ✅ #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/brpndU8BYW
— NHL (@NHL) April 22, 2024

When: Tuesday, April 23rd, 2024, 9:30 PM ET
Where: Canada Life Center, Winnipeg, Canada
TV: ESPN
Radio: Altitude Sports Radio 92.5 FM (Avalanche) // Power 97 (Jets)
Live Stream: NHL Network
NHL Betting Odds: Avalanche (-1.5) // Jets (+1.5)

Why Bet on the Colorado Avalanche?

The big question entering Game 1 was which goaltender the Avalanche would use. They decided on Alexandar Georgiev even though he really struggled down the stretch of the regular season, and he was terrible in Sunday’s 7-6 loss. The seven goals allowed matched a season high — he also gave up seven in a shutout loss versus the Golden Knights on Nov. 4. Georgiev has played 125 regular-season contests over the last two campaigns, so overwork is a real concern, especially with the obvious signs of diminished performance. Coach Jared Bednar may turn to Justus Annunen (illness) for Game 2.

Former Norris Trophy winner Cale Makar scored his 17th career playoff goal for Colorado, surpassing Rob Blake for second place on the franchise’s all-time list among defensemen. Makar is now one back of Sandis Ozolinsh (18) for the most in Avalanche/Nordiques history. Makar also had two assists and became just the 10th defenseman in NHL history to post at least eight career three-point games in the playoffs. The others: Paul Coffey (19), Denis Potvin (19), Ray Bourque (13), Al MacInnis (10), Bobby Orr (10), Chris Chelios (9), Nicklas Lidstrom (8), Brian Leetch (8) and Brad Park (8).

Forward Nathan MacKinnon, the likely Hart Trophy winner as regular-season MVP, had four shots on goal and an assist. MacKinnon had six goals and 11 helpers over the last nine games of the regular season. The 28-year-old center fell short of the Art Ross Trophy, but he still had a career year with 51 goals, 89 assists, 405 shots on net and a plus-35 rating over 82 contests. Fellow Forward Mikko Rantanen had two assists. The 27-year-old Rantanen was limited to four points over six appearances in April to close out the regular season, and he missed two games with a concussion.

Why Bet on the Winnipeg Jets?

Kyle Connor and Adam Lowry each had two goals for Winnipeg, while Connor added an assist. Mark Scheifele had a goal and two assists, and Josh Morrissey had a goal and an assist. Connor and Scheifele matched the franchise record for points in a playoff game. The duo joined Blake Wheeler (four times) and Paul Stastny (twice) as the only Jets/Thrashers players to accomplish the feat multiple times. Connor has now scored in each of his last four series-opening games. He is one of five active players with a streak of at least that length.

For Lowry, it was his second career multi-goal game to join Scheifele and Connor as the only players in franchise history with multiple multi-goal games in the postseason. No Jets player has ever had a playoff hat trick. Brandon Dillon had two assists and became the first defenseman in Jets/Thrashers history to record two points in the opening game of a postseason.

Likely Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck stopped 40 of 46 shots in the win. Hellebuyck was twice as busy as his Colorado counterpart Alexandar Georgiev, but the Jets’ offense was more opportunistic. Hellebuyck allowed four or more goals in just 10 of his 60 regular-season appearances, posting a 2.39 GAA and a .921 save percentage.

Hellebuyck became the first goalie in NHL history to earn each of a franchise’s first 18 playoff wins moving past Georges Vezina, who had each of Montreal’s first 17 NHL playoff wins from 1918 to 1925.

“It could have been worse. Seriously. We don’t give up that many chances. We don’t give up that many shots,” said Rick Bowness. “And Connor had to play better and he made a lot of big saves at the right time, which he always does. I’m not hanging any of those goals on him.”

Avalanche vs. Jets Betting Trends

Colorado is 2-5 SU in their last 7 games.
The Avalanche are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games against Winnipeg.
The total went over in 7 of Colorado’s last 8 games.
Winnipeg is 9-0 SU in their last 9 games.
The Jets are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against Colorado.
The total went under in 5 of Winnipeg’s last 6 games.

Avalanche vs. Jets 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs Game 2 Expert Betting Predictions

The Jets take the win at home and leads the series 2-0 heading into Game 3 on Friday night.

Where to bet on the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs with Crypto

NHL odds are available all year round here at Nitrobetting.eu. Create a Nitrobetting account now to win tons of crypto from the 2023-24 NHL season with our up-to-date NHL futures odds, as well as our special bitcoin Squares and Picks contests throughout the upcoming season!

Check out our latest sports betting guides for the 2023-24 NHL season. Stay tuned for more hockey previews and articles, and don’t forget to check out the latest NHL betting odds at our online crypto sportsbook.

*All odds stated are subject to change without prior notice.