The Colorado Avalanche enter the playoffs on a dismal note, having lost seven of their last ten games. Despite their poor recent form, they are favored by oddsmakers to defeat the Winnipeg Jets, who swept the Avalanche in their three regular season meetings. The Jets will host the first two games of the series, with Connor Hellebuyck's goaltending a key factor in Winnipeg's success against Colorado.
Colorado Avalanche Face Uncertain Playoff Prospects Amidst Recent Struggles
The Colorado Avalanche, who have enjoyed a dominant regular season in recent years, find themselves in an uncharacteristically vulnerable position as they approach the playoffs. Following a string of disappointing results, the Avalanche are now facing the prospect of starting the postseason on the road for the first time since the 2018-2019 season.
The team's recent struggles have raised concerns about their ability to compete for the Stanley Cup. In their last ten games, the Avalanche have emerged victorious in only three, with seven losses marring their record. The most recent setback was an embarrassing 7-0 shutout at home against the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday, a result that has cast doubt on the team's overall preparedness.
Despite their recent setbacks, the Avalanche remain slight favorites to advance past the Winnipeg Jets in the first round. According to popular sportsbooks, Colorado is given a -138 odds of winning the series, while the Jets are listed at +115. This means that a $138 bet on the Avalanche would return $100 in winnings, while a $100 wager on the Jets would pay out $115.
The odds reflect the Avalanche's reputation as a powerhouse team, boasting the likes of Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Mikko Rantanen. However, the Jets have a significant advantage in goal with Connor Hellebuyck, who has established himself as one of the most reliable netminders in the league.
In the three regular season matchups between the two teams, Winnipeg outscored Colorado by a staggering margin of 17-4. The Jets' dominance was evident in each contest, with the Avalanche never coming within two goals of their opponents.
While the Avalanche's recent form has been cause for concern, they remain a dangerous team with the potential to make a deep playoff run. The Stanley Cup odds reflect this, with Colorado listed as one of the top contenders at +850, tied for the fifth-best odds in the NHL. Winnipeg, on the other hand, is given a more distant +1500 odds, placing them eleventh among the league's playoff contenders.
The schedule for the Avalanche-Jets series is expected to be released by the NHL on Thursday night. The first game of the series is likely to take place either later this weekend or early next week.
