- What: Western Conference NHL Playoffs – Round 1 – Game 5
- Who: Colorado Avalanche vs. Winnipeg Jets
- Date: Tuesday, April 30, 2024
- Location: Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
- How to Watch: TBS. MAX, BSSO
The Colorado Avalanche and Winnipeg Jets had themselves the lowest scoring game of their NHL Western Conference Series on Sunday, with the Avalanche beating the Jets 5-1 in Game 4. The other games in the first round playoff matchup posted totals of 13, seven, and eight goals. The Avalanche carry a 3-1 series lead with them into tonight’s Game 5 in Winnipeg.
The Jets made the 2024 NHL Playoffs by finishing second in the Central Division and the Western Conference behind the Dallas Stars. Winnipeg had a 52-24-6 record. The team went 27-11-3 at home and was 25-13-3 on the road.
The Avalanche finished one spot behind the Jets in the division with a 50-25-7 record. The club was the best in the NHL on home ice in the regular season at 31-9-1. Colorado had a road record of 19-16-6.
Before we look at the betting breakdown for Game 5 of the Western Conference NHL playoff series between the Colorado Avalanche and Winnipeg Jets, check out our guide to betting on the 2024 NHL Playoffs and our tips for betting on the NHL.
Colorado Avalanche vs. Winnipeg Jets betting picks – Game 5
Colorado Avalanche betting picks
The Colorado Avalanche did not play well against the Winnipeg Jets during the 2024 regular season. Winnipeg swept Colorado in that season series 3-0 and outscored them 17-4. What made things more problematic for the Avalanche was that the Jets trounced them 7-0 in the third to last game of the 2024 regular season. The Avalanche look as if they have put their scoring woes against the Jets behind them, netting an average of 5.50 goals per game, which is the highest total in the playoffs. Colorado is also taking the most shots per game in the 2024 postseason, averaging 38.3 per outing. The team’s power play is clicking at 40 percent, and the penalty kill checks in at 81.8 percent.
Colorado’s goaltender Alexandar Georgiev allowed four goals on 15 shots in the 7-0 loss to the Jets late in the regular season. He did not look good in Game 1 of the 2024 playoffs, surrendering seven goals on 16 shots. However, the 28-year-old, who is in his second year with the club, got the support of the coaching staff and his teammates after that loss, and he bounced back in Game 2, making 28 saves on 30 shots in a winning effort. Georgiev did enough to win Game 3, stopping 22 of 24 shots. He played his best game in Game 4, allowing one goal on 27 shots and posting a .963 save percentage. His save percentage following his rough outing in Game 1 is .935.
Colorado has made the Jets pay for their mistakes during the series, especially on the power play. Expect Winnipeg to press in Game 5, which will play into the hands of the Colorado offense.
Winnipeg Jets betting picks
Winnipeg Jets head coach Rick Bowness was blunt about how his team has been playing in their Western Conference Round 1 playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche, “The problems are self-inflicted,” Bowness said after Game 4. “Want to take penalties? Want to play a three-quarter ice game? You’re playing right into their hands. Our issues are self-inflicted. You saw us play the right way for 10 minutes in the second half of the first period. You take four penalties, you turn the puck over, that’s exactly how they want to play. The issues are self-inflicted.”
Colorado has scored four power play goals in the past two games on 10 opportunities. If the Jets hope to extend this series, they need to stay out of the penalty box.
All eyes will be on Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck in Game 5. Hellebuyck, who had the second-best save percentage in the NHL regular season (.921) and the fourth-lowest goals against average of 2.39, has allowed 19 goals on 146 shots in the four games against the Avalanche. Hellebuyck, who finished last year’s postseason with a 3.44 GAA and a .886 SV% after posting regular season numbers of 2.49 (GAA) and .920 (SV%), has a 5.22 GAA and a .870 SV% in the games he has played for the Jets in the 2024 playoffs. Yes, the Jets have allowed far too many shots on goal against the Avalanche, but for a player who is expected to be a front-runner for the Vezina Trophy, Hellebuyck must play better in net.
Expect some line-up changes for the Jets in Game 5 based on performance and because of injuries.
Best bets for Game 5 between Colorado Avalanche and Winnipeg Jets
The Avalanche offense has been effective in this series, scoring five or more goals in each game. Cale Makar has eight points, and Nathan MacKinnon and Artturi Lehkonen each have seven points. Meanwhile, outside of Game 1, the Jets offense has been limited to two goals or fewer in Games 2-4. The betting pick is for the Avalanche to beat the Jets in Game 5 and close out their Western Conference series.
The way the teams have been scoring in this series, the betting pick is that they will combine for over 6.5 goals in Game 5.
See below a list of reliable sportsbooks and choose the best one for you.
