Colorado Avalanche vs Winnipeg Jets December 31st 2024

Planning on watching today’s Jets and Avalanche game? Catch the action at Ball Arena in Denver, CO, as the Avalanche hosts this showdown at 8:00 ET on ESPN+. The over/under goal line for this matchup is currently at 6 goals, and the Avalanche are favored by -1.5 vs. the Jets.

Winnipeg vs. Colorado Key Information

• Teams: Jets at Avalanche
• Where: Ball Arena Denver
• Date: Tuesday, December 31st
• Betting Odds COL -179 | WPG +150 O/U 6

The Jets Can Win If…

The Jets improved to 27-10-1 with a 7-4 victory over the Lightning. Winnipeg covered the puck line as -1.5 goal favorites, and the total of 11 goals easily surpassed the pre-game line of 6.5 goals.

Winnipeg fell behind 2-0 in the first period before seven different players scored for the Jets. The Jets took the lead for good with a goal from Alex Iafallo in the third period, and they added two empty-netters to secure the win.

In their 7-4 win over the Lightning, the Jets’ offense was led by Vladislav Namestnikov, who scored his third goal of the season and added his seventh assist. Nikolaj Ehlers netted his ninth goal, while Logan Stanley and Alex Iafallo each found the back of the net for the first time this season. Mark Scheifele, with his eighth goal, also contributed with his 10th assist.

After a 2-1 first period, the Jets added two more in the second and four in the third, including two empty-netters. Dylan Samberg scored his third goal, and Cole Perfetti finished the scoring with his fourth. Winnipeg took 34 shots on goal and recorded 10 assists.

Winnipeg’s defense struggled early, giving up the first two goals and a 4-4 equalizer to Tampa Bay at 6:51 in the 3rd period. Connor Hellebuyck made 26 saves with an 86.7% save percentage, while the Jets’ defense recorded 5 takeaways and 31 hits.

• Spanning across their last three games, Winnipeg have gone 3-0. In these games, they have a 3-0 record vs the puck line and an over-under mark of 1-1-1.
• Winnipeg has put together a record of 7-3 in their last ten games (regular season). Against the spread, Winnipeg went 6-4 in these games and finished with an over-under mark of 3-5-2.

The Avalanche Can Win If…

With a 5-2 loss to the Predators, the Avalanche’s record now stands at 22-15-0. Colorado was the underdog on the puck line, and the total for the game was set at 6.5 goals. The combined 7 goals surpassed that mark.

The Avalanche took the lead in the second period, but Nashville responded with five unanswered goals. Cale Makar opened the scoring at 17:06 in the second period, but the Predators tied it up at 11:29 and never looked back.

Cale Makar netted his 5th goal of the season on a power play, while Nathan MacKinnon added his 6th in the 3rd period. Makar also picked up his 16th assist on MacKinnon’s goal. The Avalanche took 30 shots on goal but were hampered by 23 giveaways.

Colorado was held scoreless in the 1st period before Makar got them on the board 2:54 into the 2nd. MacKinnon’s goal came with 2:17 left in the game, cutting the deficit to 3-2.

On the defensive side, the Avalanche gave up the tying goal at 11:29 in the second period, followed by three more, including two empty-netters. Justus Annunen made 21 saves, posting a save percentage of 87.5%.

• The Avalanche have posted a 3-0 record in their previous three games. Their strong play has also resulted in an puck line mark of 3-0 (last 3). They had an over/under mark of 1-2 in those same games.
• Across Colorado’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 8-2. This includes going 7-3 vs. the puck line along with an over-under mark of 3-7.

The Lean

If you’re looking for a straight moneyline bet, then the Avalanche are the way to go. However, with a payout of -179, you might consider using this bet as a leg of a parlay.

For my recommended choice in the puck line, I’m leaning towards the Jets to cover. Even if the Avalanche secure a straight-up win, this game is expected to be tightly contested, and the Jets should cover the puck line.

When considering the over/under line, which is currently at 6 goals, we believe that this game will go over that threshold, and we recommend wagering on the over.

Avalanche vs. Jets: A New Year’s Eve Showdown You Don’t Want to Miss

The Colorado Avalanche are back in action on New Year’s Eve, hosting the red-hot Winnipeg Jets in Denver. Both teams are on four-game winning streaks, making this matchup one of the most exciting ways to close out 2024.

The Avalanche Are Rested and Ready

The Avs (19-10-3) have had the luxury of playing just two games in the past 10 days, giving them time to rest, regroup, and get healthier. One big boost? Forward Jonathan Drouin is back in the lineup after missing over a month with an upper-body injury.

Teammate Nathan MacKinnon is excited to have Drouin back, especially for the power play:

Colorado’s recent form has been strong, with nine wins in their last 12 games. A big part of that success has been their upgraded goaltending duo, Scott Wedgewood and Mackenzie Blackwood, who’ve stepped up big-time.

On offense, the Avs are powered by their stars. MacKinnon leads the NHL with 60 points, while Mikko Rantanen (53 points) and Cale Makar (45 points, most among defensemen) are putting up monster numbers.

Winnipeg’s Not Slowing Down

The Jets (21-9-2) have been rolling despite a jam-packed schedule. Tuesday’s game will be their third in four nights, but that hasn’t stopped them from dominating. On Monday, Winnipeg blanked the Nashville Predators 3-0, thanks to Connor Hellebuyck’s league-leading fifth shutout.

Kyle Connor (51 points) and Mark Scheifele (44 points) have been leading the charge offensively, with each player scoring 22 goals this season. The Jets have also shown they can handle adversity, as seen in their comeback win over Ottawa on Saturday, where they rallied from a two-goal deficit to score the final four goals.

Coach Scott Arniel loves how his team stays calm under pressure:

“When we get down two, we don’t panic. We stick to our structure, and it pays off.”

The big question for Tuesday? Whether Hellebuyck, who’s been in net for the last two games, will get a break. If backup Eric Comrie steps in, Winnipeg’s defense will need to step up against Colorado’s stacked offense.

What to Watch For

For Colorado

• Drouin’s Return: After a long absence, how quickly can Drouin make an impact, especially on the power play?
• Star Power: With MacKinnon, Rantanen, and Makar firing on all cylinders, Colorado’s offense will be hard to stop.

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For Winnipeg

• Goaltending Depth: If Comrie starts, the Jets’ defense will need to bring their A-game to keep Colorado in check.
• Connor and Scheifele’s Chemistry: These two have been lights out this season. Can they break through Colorado’s defense?

Why This Game Matters

This game is about more than just extending win streaks. For Colorado, it’s a chance to use their rest and healthy lineup to dominate. For Winnipeg, it’s about proving they can keep winning, even under a packed schedule.

With both teams playing at a high level and star players on both sides, this New Year’s Eve matchup promises to be a thriller.

Don’t miss it—Colorado and Winnipeg are set to bring the fireworks on and off the ice!