Winnipeg Jets vs Colorado Avalanche Picks and Predictions November 7th 2024

Winnipeg Jets vs Colorado Avalanche November 7th 2024

Looking to win big? The Avalanche and Jets face off at 8:00 ET on ESPN+. The Jets are hosting the game at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, MB. The over/under for this game is set at 6.5 goals, and the Jets are favored by -1.5 against the Avalanche in a Central division matchup.

Colorado vs. Winnipeg Key Information

With a 5-2 loss to the Predators, the Avalanche fell to 6-7-0 this season. Colorado took the lead at 17:06 in the second period, but Nashville responded with five unanswered goals. The Avalanche were underdogs on the puck line, and the total of 7 goals surpassed the pre-game line of 6.5.

Cale Makar opened the scoring for Colorado, but the Predators tied it up at 11:29 in the second period. Nathan MacKinnon’s goal in the third period brought the Avalanche within one, but two empty-net goals from Nashville sealed the game.

Cale Makar netted his 5th goal of the season on a power play, while Nathan MacKinnon followed with his 6th goal in the third period. Makar also picked up his 16th assist, and MacKinnon added his 14th. The Avalanche fired 30 shots on goal but were limited to just two goals in their 5-2 loss to the Predators.

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Colorado was held scoreless in the first period before Makar’s power-play goal at 17:06 in the second. MacKinnon’s goal came with 2:17 left in the game. The Avalanche struggled with giveaways, tallying 23 in the game.

Colorado’s defense had a rough outing, giving up 5 goals to the Predators. Justus Annunen made 21 saves with a save percentage of 87.5%. The Avalanche also had 15 blocks and 11 takeaways. After taking a 1-0 lead, Colorado’s defense gave up 5 goals, including two late empty-netters.

With a 7-4 win over the Lightning, the Jets improved to 12-1-0. Winnipeg, favored by -1.5 goals, covered the puck line. The total for the game was set at 6.5 goals, but the teams combined for 11.

After trailing 2-0 in the first period, the Jets rallied, with seven different players scoring. Two of Winnipeg’s goals came with an empty net.

Winnipeg’s offense produced seven goals on 34 shots in their latest game. They had two empty-netters, with Cole Perfetti scoring his 4th goal of the season and Nikolaj Ehlers netting his 9th. Earlier, Dylan Samberg scored his 3rd goal, while Alex Iafallo added his first of the season on a power play.

Vladislav Namestnikov opened the scoring for the Jets, marking his 3rd goal this year. Logan Stanley followed with his first goal of the season, and Mark Scheifele added his 8th. The Jets recorded 10 assists and had 7 offensive giveaways.

Defensively, the Jets will look to improve after allowing four goals to the Lightning, including the game-tying goal at 6:51 in the 3rd period. Connor Hellebuyck made 26 saves with a save percentage of 86.7%. The Jets’ defense also contributed 5 takeaways and 31 hits.

When making a moneyline pick, my choice is the Jets to come out with a win against the Avalanche while playing at home. Considering the moneyline odds at -142, I’m placing my bet on the Jets to win outright.

When it comes to my suggested pick for the puck line, I’d advise taking the Avalanche to cover. Even in the event of a Jets victory, this matchup is likely to remain closely contested, and the Avalanche should cover the puck line.

With an over/under line sitting at 6.5 goals, we like this game to surpass that mark and recommend getting a bet down on the over.

Avalanche Face a Tall Task Against Red-Hot Jets, Makar’s Status Uncertain

The Colorado Avalanche face a challenging matchup against the league-leading Winnipeg Jets on Thursday, and they may need to do so without their star defenseman, Cale Makar. With Makar’s status uncertain following an injury against Seattle, the Avalanche will rely on contributions from both top stars and depth players to counter Winnipeg’s impressive form.

Colorado’s Offense Awakens, but Makar’s Injury Looms Large

The Avalanche ended a three-game losing skid with a 6-3 win over the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday. Nathan MacKinnon delivered a standout performance with five assists, and Mikko Rantanen chipped in two goals, while Makar added two assists before exiting the game with an injury.

“He tweaked something late in the second. He wasn’t able to continue,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said post-game, noting on Wednesday that Makar is “feeling OK” and may be ready to play against Winnipeg.

Makar’s potential absence would be a major setback for Colorado. His 23 points (five goals, 18 assists) rank second in the league, and his playmaking and defensive skills have been essential for an Avalanche team that’s off to a middling 6-7-0 start. If Makar is sidelined, MacKinnon and Rantanen—both elite scorers—will need to shoulder even more of the load. MacKinnon has notched at least a point in each of Colorado’s first 13 games, while Rantanen had a resurgence against Seattle after a quieter stretch.

“As much as we rely on our top guys, and you need them to lead the way offensively, you need other guys to chip in,” Bednar emphasized.

The Avalanche’s depth was crucial in their latest victory, with Ivan Ivan and Chris Wagner both scoring, showcasing the secondary scoring that will be critical if Makar misses time.

Winnipeg Jets: On a Historic Roll

The Jets come into Thursday’s game as the NHL’s hottest team with a franchise-best 12-1-0 record. Winnipeg has outscored opponents 22-8 over a four-game winning streak, with Nino Niederreiter and goaltender Connor Hellebuyck playing key roles in the recent success. Niederreiter, who scored twice in Winnipeg’s 3-0 win over Utah on Tuesday, now has seven goals over his last nine games. Hellebuyck, meanwhile, boasts a stellar 2.10 goals-against average and is 9-1-0 on the season.

“The best part about (the strong start) right now is that we keep finding ways to win hockey games,” Niederreiter said. “We know we can’t take anything for granted.”

The Jets’ recent dominance has mirrored their strong showing against Colorado last season, when they swept the Avalanche in all three regular-season games before Colorado eliminated them in the first round of the playoffs. MacKinnon was especially effective against Winnipeg, tallying 13 points across their seven meetings, including playoffs.

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Key Matchups and X-Factors

1. Colorado’s Depth vs. Jets’ Defense: With Makar possibly sidelined, the Avalanche will look to players like Ivan Ivan and Chris Wagner to provide offensive support. Winnipeg’s disciplined defense and Hellebuyck’s strong goaltending will make it tough for Colorado’s secondary scorers to break through.
2. MacKinnon and Rantanen vs. Jets’ Top Scorers: MacKinnon and Rantanen are key offensive forces for Colorado, but Winnipeg has firepower of its own in Kyle Connor and Niederreiter. Both teams’ top scorers will need to step up in what could be a high-scoring affair.
3. Justus Annunen in Net: Colorado’s Justus Annunen may make his third straight start, having gone 5-2-0 as a starter with a 2.64 GAA. He will face a significant challenge against a Jets offense that is firing on all cylinders.

With Makar’s status uncertain, Colorado faces an uphill battle against a Jets team that is looking to extend its franchise-record winning streak. Thursday’s clash promises to be a test of resilience for both teams as they aim to assert their standing in the Western Conference.