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The Winnipeg Jets (52-24-6, 27-11-3 home, second in the Central Division) are welcoming the Colorado Avalanche (50-25-7, 19-16-6 away, third in the Central Division) for the first game of the NHL Playoffs First Round Series.
The game is set to take place at the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg on Sunday, starting at 7 p.m. ET. The game will air on ESPN2, SN, CBC, TVAS, and ALT.
This is the sixth time in the last seven seasons that the Jets have reached the postseason. They lost to the Golden Knights, the Stanley Cup champions, in five games in the best of 7 Western Conference First Round last season.
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However, the Jets have recovered from a six-game losing streak (0-5-1) at the end of March with an eight-game winning streak to end the season, including a 7-0 victory over the Avalanche on April 13.
The Avalanche, who have had a tough few weeks with a 4-5-2 record since March 26, including a 4-3 OT loss to Vegas on Sunday after leading 3-0 entering the third period, are looking to bounce back.
The Jets' last game was a 4-2 victory at home against the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday, April 18, while the Avalanche won 5-1 at home against the Edmonton Oilers on the same day.
Colorado Avalanche vs Winnipeg Jets: Game preview
The Colorado Avalanche, leading the league with an average of 3.68 goals per game, allows 3.07 goals per game, ranking 16th. They have a 24.5% success rate on power plays, ranking 5th.
Nathan Mackinnon is the team's top scorer with 51 goals and 89 assists, totaling 140 points. Mikko Rantanen follows with 42 goals and 62 assists (104 points), and Cale Makar has 21 goals and 69 assists (90 points).
In goal, Alexandar Georgiev has a 38-18-5 record, a 3.02 goals-against average, and a .897 save percentage.
On the other hand, The Winnipeg Jets have a GFA of 3.16 and lead the league with a GAA of 2.41. Their power play efficiency is 18.8%, ranking 22nd.
Sean Monahan is the team's top scorer with 59 points (26 goals, 33 assists), followed by Nikolaj Ehlers with 61 points (24 goals, 36 assists) and Mark Scheifele with 72 points (25 goals, 47 assists).
Josh Morrissey has contributed 69 points with 59 assists. Connor Hellebuyck, the team's goalie, has a 37-19-4 record, a 2.39 goals-against average, and a .921 save percentage.
Colorado Avalanche vs Winnipeg Jets: Injury report
The Avalanche have Gabriel Landeskog, the team captain, and Logan O'Connor both out for the season due to knee and hip injuries respectively. Additionally, Jonathan Drouin is also unable to play due to a lower-body injury, and Samuel Girard's participation is uncertain due to a head injury.
On the other hand, the Jets are also dealing with injury concerns as Morgan Barron is questionable to play due to a lower-body injury.
Colorado Avalanche vs Winnipeg Jets: Head-to-head and significant numbers
The Jets and the Avalanche have competed against each other 59 times in both the regular season and playoffs. The Jets hold a record of 30-17-1-11 when playing against the Avalanche.
The Avalanche have a win rate of 47.9% in faceoffs, placing them 23rd, while the Jets are just behind with 47.6% in faceoffs, placing them 24th.
In terms of penalty kills, the Avalanche have a success rate of 79.9% (ranking 12th), while the Jets have a slightly lower success rate of 77.1% (ranking 21st).
Colorado Avalanche vs Winnipeg Jets: Odds and prediction
Winnipeg Jets has won 39 of 55 games as betting favorites this season and triumphed in 39 of its 55 games with odds lower than -111, giving the team a 52.6% chance of winning this game.
Meanwhile, the Avalanche have been listed as the underdogs in 13 games and have upset their opponents 5 times. With -108 odds or longer, Colorado holds a record of 5-13, which means they have a 51.9% chance to win here.
Prediction: Jets 5 - 2 Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche vs Winnipeg Jets: Betting tips
Tip 1: Jets to win.
Tip 2: Total goals over 5: Yes
Tip 3: Nathan MacKinnon to score anytime: Yes
Tip 4: Kyle Connor to score first: Yes
Tip 5: Avalanche to beat the spread: No.
