The Jets and the Avalanche sit second and third in the Central Division, respectively, and they both won their matches on Sunday. So with both currently flying high, we preview their upcoming clash at the MTS Centre in our latest free NHL betting picks.
The Avalanche are the favorites to win the 2023 Stanley Cup, so it’s no surprise to see them at the top end of the Central Division. If anything, they would probably expect to be higher than a third.
As for the Jets, they weren’t one of the betting favorites at the start of the season. And even though their odds have shortened thanks to their encouraging start, they are still well outside the top ten in the betting to win the Stanley Cup with the Las Vegas NHL odds setters.
As we’ve alluded to, Colorado is the betting favorites to win the 2023 Stanley Cup. Jared Bednar’s Avalanche team is +525 with BetOnline to win the trophy back-to-back.
The Avalanche are followed by the Boston Bruins, who are just behind at +550. There’s a larger gap to the first of the chasing pack, who the Vegas Golden Knights lead at +900, and the New Jersey Devils at +1100.
| 2023 Stanley Cup Winner Betting |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Avalanche | +525 | +525 | +500 |
| Boston Bruins | +550 | +550 | +550 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | +900 | +900 | +900 |
| New Jersey Devils | +1100 | +1200 | +1200 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | +1400 | +1400 | +1300 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | +1400 | +1300 | +1200 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | +1600 | +1400 | +1400 |
| Florida Panthers | +1800 | +1800 | +1700 |
| Calgary Flames | +2000 | +2000 | +2000 |
| New York Rangers | +2200 | +1900 | +2000 |
| Edmonton Oilers | +2200 | +2000 | +2000 |
| Dallas Stars | +2500 | +2500 | +2500 |
| Winnipeg Jets | +2500 | +2500 | +2500 |
The Hurricanes and the Maple Leafs are next at +1400, with Tampa Bay (+1600), the Florida Panthers (+1800), and the Calgary Flames at +2000. For the record, the Winnipeg Jets are +2500.
All the above odds are taken from BetOnline. You can read more about this popular bookmaker, including their latest new customers offer, in our BetOnline sportsbook review.
The Jets are 7-3-0 in their last ten matches and on a winning streak of two. The two wins in that run of victories were away to the Blackhawks (7-2) on Sunday and away to the Stars on Friday.
Winnipeg needed overtime in the match against the Stars to complete the victory. They were seemingly coasting to victory, leading 4-2 with just a couple of minutes of regulation time left, when Jason Robertson of Dallas struck twice in the dying moments to force overtime.
It only took the Jets 34 seconds to find the goal that won them the match, with Josh Morrissey scoring the winner. The win over the Division leaders saw the Jets close the gap on Dallas to just one point.
The win was all the more remarkable, given it came on the back of the Jets’ heaviest defeat of the season. A 6-1 hiding away to the Minnesota Wild last Wednesday.
Things don’t get any easier for the Jets, as next up, they are hosting the Colorado Avalanche. The Avalanche are 8-2-0 in their last ten matches and on a winning streak of one.
The one was a 4-1 home win over the Stars last Saturday. That win came after Bednar’s team had just seen their three-match winning run brought to an end by the Canucks. Vancouver won 4-3 at the Ball Arena on Wednesday night in Colorado’s third home defeat of the season.
The Avalanche have played one game less than the Jets over the Thanksgiving weekend. This was down to their match away to Nashville Predators being called off due to a water mains leak that badly affected the downtown area of Nashville. So, will the Avalanche’s fresher legs make a difference?
The best NHL betting sites make Jared Bednar’s Colorado team the favorite to win this match. The Avalanche are -128 on the moneyline, with the Winnipeg Jets at +116. And this is despite the positions in the table.
On the handicap line, Winnipeg is getting the 1.5 points to start, and with that advantage, they are -212. Starting from -1.5 points, the Colorado Avalanche is +182. Total points are set at six goals. Over six goals are +102, and under six is -113.
Starting with who I think will win, and this looks like a close game, but I’m going to go for the Colorado Avalanche to win. I think they will turn up for the big games and want to make a statement after the loss to the Canucks.
But do we back Colorado on the moneyline or the handicap? Looking at the recent form and away from home, the Avalanche’s last three wins were 3-2, 4-0, and 3-2. The 4-0 win was away to the Capitals, and the Jets are a step up in class.
Therefore, as tempted as I am to go for Colorado on the moneyline, I’m going to play safe and make a win for the Avalanche on the moneyline my first pick. They’ve been winning by just one goal a bit too often recently to take the risk on the handicap.
On the total goals market, there have been over six goals in the Jets’ last four matches. While for Colorado, only one match in their last seven has had over six goals scored.
I’m expecting Colorado to win a tight contest, and as a rule, Colorado doesn’t concede many. So under six goals has to be the pick in the total goals market.
