NHL Pick: Nathan MacKinnon Over 4.5 Shots (-130) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
The race for the top spot in the Central Division is officially on following the Dallas Stars’ demise in recent weeks, having only gone 2-8 in their last 10 games they have blown the division wide open as there are now just five points separating first and fourth.
Check out what three NHL picks we are betting on in this divisional clash as we anticipate shots, saves, and a low-scoring matchup in the final game on today’s card.
Colorado Avalanche vs. Winnipeg Jets
Friday, February 24, 2023 – 08:00 PM EST at Canada Life Centre
Preview
The Winnipeg Jets come into this matchup having won 2 of their previous 5 games, while Colorado has been able to string together 4 wins from their previous 5, despite missing star defenceman Cale Makar. The Avalanche offense has made up for his absence scoring 15 goals in their previous 4 games. Colorado has scored at least one point in seven of their last ten NHL games.
The Jets have been very impressive on home ice across their last 10 they have gone 8-2, scoring 3.1 goals per game and allowing only 2.4. The Jets will be eager to win this one, although they are currently two wins better off than the Avalanche, the latter has played three games less than their opponents.
Encouragingly for the Jets they have beaten the Avalanche in their previous two home games, even recording a 5-0 shutout last time they met on the Jets ice.
Avalanche vs. Jets Picks and Predictions
Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche)
- Goal: 19
- Assists: 48
- Shot Pet Game: 5.36
One of the league’s best players, Nathan MacKinnon, has been trigger-happy in recent games having had 6/7/6/6/9 shots across his previous five games, an average of just over six shots per game.
MacKinnon is the top average shot taker this season in the NHL, although he has only registered the fifth-most amount of shots overall, he has played 10-13 games fewer than those who have registered more.
The Jets don’t allow many goals and we suspect MacKinnon could register a lot of shots in this game as he faces Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. MacKinnon has enjoyed playing on Fridays this season, registering 25 shots in just 4 games played. Take the 2013 first-draft pick to have 5+ shots in tonight’s game at -130 with BetOnline.
NHL Pick: Nathan MacKinnon Over 4.5 Shots (-130) at BetOnline
Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets)
- Goal Against Per Game: 2.39
- Save Percentage: .925%
- Overall Record: 26-17-1
At the time of writing the NHL odds on Connor Hellebuyck’s save total have not been released, but we like his save total to go over if it's set any lower than 32.5. Ideally, the line won’t be any higher than this, and the lower the better.
The Avalanche take on average 33 shots per game and have registered an average of 37 in their two meetings against Hellebuyck this season. Last time against the Avalanche the goaltender saved 40 shots from 40 faced and has saved 70 of 73 when facing the Avalanche this season. On home ice, Hellebuyck has allowed only 1.98 goals against with a 16-7 winning record.
NHL Pick: Connor Hellebuyck Over 30.5 Saves (-130) at BetOnline
Game Total Over/Under
We very much like this game to go under the total and we are prepared to lay the -135 juice on the under 6.5 line. Yes, the +100 for under 5.5 goals is also a nice proposition but we like to play it safe when we can and feel the -135 is very bet-able in this matchup.
Amazingly, the Jets have only seen 7+ goals in 17% of their 28 games played on home ice this season (the best in the Western Conference), while the Colorado Avalanche have seen just 7+ goals in 25% of their road games to date (second-lowest on the road in the Western Conference).
Both teams will be desperate to win this one, we feel a tight game could be on the cards, plus given the Jets goaltenders strength on home ice, it’s hard to back the over in this one.
CO locals can bet on this NHL matchup at any of the top Colorado betting sites, so check them out.
NHL Pick: Under 6.5 (-135) at Heritage Sports (visit our Heritage Sports Review)
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
