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The Winnipeg Jets will face the Colorado Avalanche in the NHL on Wednesday (October 19), with both teams looking to build off strong starts to the season.
Despite splitting their first two games, the Jets have made significant progress since missing the playoffs last year. The Avalanche, meanwhile, are 2-1 and are looking like the Stanley Cup-winning squad.
The forthcoming game should be a great one, as both teams want to have a successful start to the Central Division.
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The Jets are expected to have a solid start to the season, but their offense needs to improve, as they only scored 2.50 goals per game and only one goal in their most recent loss. The top two lines have been powered by Mark Scheifele's three goals, Nikolaj Ehlers and Kyle Connor's goals and four assists combined, but the rest of the offense has struggled.
Blake Wheeler and Pierre-Luc Dubois, who have both played key roles in the forward unit, have only contributed two assists this season. They are expected to step up.
Even though the offense has had trouble, the defense has played well to start the season, giving up only 2.50 goals per game, including none in their victory over the New York Rangers.
The Avalanche, meanwhile, are continuing from where they left off last season, with their attack dominating games and tallying 14 goals through three games, including six in their most recent victory. The top two lines of Nathan MacKinnon, Valeri Nichushkin, and Mikko Rantanen have combined for seven goals and 12 assists, and the rest of the attack has also been very strong.
Cale Makar, Samuel Girard and Devon Toews have combined for one goal and seven assists, outscoring rival defenses. Artturi Lehkonen, Andrew Cogliano, and J.T. Compher have scored three goals and four assists.
The defense has struggled, giving up 3.33 goals per game, though. The top defensive combination of Cale Makar and Devon Toews has excelled, but the remainder of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to create openings and produce attempts on goal.
Jets vs Avalanche Betting Odds
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Jets vs Avalanche Match Details
Fixture: Jets at Avalanche
Date and Time: Wednesday, October 19; 8:05 pm ET
Venue: Pepsi Center, Denver, CO
Jets vs Avalanche Best Picks and Prediction
The matchup between the two teams with promising seasons is going to be fabulous. The Avalanche will attempt to build on a commanding victory and maintain control of the game on both sides of the ice, while the Jets will look to pull off the unexpected.
With Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and the rest of the forward line maintaining a strong offensive zone presence and creating open shots with passes near the net, the Avalanche will seek to build on a six-goal game and hit the back of the net.
Cale Makar, Devon Toews, and the rest of the defense will look to step up and cause turnovers in the defensive zone. Goaltender Alexandar Georgiev will look to stop shots on goal. The Avalanche will also try to contain a Jets offense that's scoring just 2.50 goals per game.
On their home ice, the Avalanche ought to triumph handily and cover the odds.
Pick: Mikko Rantanen any time goalscorer (+110)
Prediction: Avalanche -1.5 (+120)
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