Sportsbooks Believe Avalanche Can Catch the Jets

At the midway point of the NHL season, the Colorado Avalanche and the Winnipeg Jets are neck and neck for both the Central Division title and the Presidents’ Trophy.

Through 40 games, Winnipeg has the best record in the league at 27-9-4 (58 points).

Colorado sits a point back with two more games played at 27-12-3.

As things stand right now, two of the NHL’s three best teams reside in the Central Division.

Only the Vancouver Canucks at 27-11-3 (57 points) stand in between the Avalanche and the Jets.

So, what has been going right for these two teams?

For Winnipeg, it has been a mixture of elite goaltending and a deep team filled to the brim with young talent.

Connor Hellebuyck has been one of the best goaltenders in the league this season, boasting a 21-6-3 record with a .923 save percentage, a 2.20 goals-against average and two shutouts.

Hellebuyck’s 21 wins are second in the league behind Colorado goalie Alexandar Georgiev and his .923 save percentage is tied with Seattle Kraken goalie Joey Daccord among goaltenders with at least 25 starts.

Winnipeg’s leading goal-scorer, Kyle Connor, has not played a game since getting injured against the Anaheim Ducks on Dec. 10.

Still, a cast led by Mark Scheifele (41 points), Nikolaj Ehlers (32 points), Josh Morrissey (31 points) and Cole Perfetti (29 points) has helped keep the Jets afloat and then some.

Gabriel Vilardi has also stepped up in the absence of Connor, scoring 10 goals and 16 points in 14 games since Dec. 10.

His 10 goals are tied for the fifth-most in that span.

Even without one of their biggest stars, the Jets have been unstoppable thanks to their deep cast of characters.

You can place a bet on Winnipeg or Colorado with the best nhl sportsbook.

The Avalanche have looked worthy of a fan’s bet, too.

Led by the torrid scoring of Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, Colorado is chasing Winnipeg for the best record in the division and the league as a whole.

MacKinnon’s 67 points are tied with Tampa Bay Lightning star Nikita Kucherov for the most in the NHL.

Makar’s 48 points are three points shy of Quinn Hughes for the most points in the league by a defenseman.

But the Avalanche’s supporting cast has not been so shabby either.

Fellow star Mikko Rantanen has 21 goals and 53 points on the season.

Valeri Nichushkin has emerged as a bonafide top-six talent on the Avalanche with 22 goals, which ties MacKinnon for the team lead, and 42 points.

Devon Toews has 24 points from the back end while Ryan Johansen has 11 goals of his own while anchoring Colroado’s second line.

With one of the deepest and most talented rosters in the NHL, the Avalanche have what it takes to catch up with the Jets.

Vegas believes they do as well.

As things stand right now, the Avalanche are betting favorites to win the Central Divison.

Colorado leads the pack with +155 odds while Winnipeg trails behind at +160.

Same goes for Presidents’ Trophy odds, which the Avalanche have the third-best odds to win at +600.

Winnipeg, meanwhile, is fourth at +650 while the New York Rangers and Boston Bruins occupy the first two spots.

It’s a long season, and a lot can happen, but sportsbooks beleive the Avalanche have the chops to catch the Jets.