Expert NHL Best Bets and Predictions for Tuesday, April 23

NHL Best Bets

It’s been a fun start to the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, and the schedules each night have been beautiful. Tonight, we’ve got four different Game Twos: two in the East and two in the West. For my NHL best bet, I will focus on the Winnipeg Jets and Colorado Avalanche series, which had, without a doubt, the most exciting opening game of all the different series. 

Colorado at Winnipeg (-105, 6.5)

I don’t think anyone could have expected a 7-6 result in Game One between the Colorado Avalanche and Winnipeg Jets, and I can assure you that we probably won’t see another game that high-scoring in this series.

Sunday night was an off night for the Jets net-minder Connor Hellebuyck. He was considered the best goalie in the NHL all season long, so it’s fair to say that allowing six goals on 46 shots against is a bit uncharacteristic. I mean, the guy still had to make 40 saves, which is incredibly impressive, but considering that the Jets were one of the better defensive teams in the league all season, I think they will tighten things up in their own end. 

During the regular season, the Jets only allowed 29.6 shots on goal against per game, but Colorado is going to have their foot on the gas. This won’t be an easy game by any means for the Jets. 

However, I will say that most people underestimate how talented the Jets are offensively. They can keep up with the pace of the Avalanche, which can be a very difficult task. Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele, Adam Lowry and Josh Morrissey all played pivotal roles in that Game One victory. I’d expect nothing less in tonight’s game as well, especially against Alexandar Georgiev. 

Georgiev was a complete disaster in Game One, and he was a concern going into this series, but I don’t think many people would have guessed that he’d allow seven goals against on just 23 shots. He skated to a .696 save percentage, I mean, what else can you say but yikes. 

Georgiev is a net-minder that I have no faith in. If the Avalanche are going to win games in this series, they might have to score four goals at minimum in every game. 

I have a ton of faith in Hellebuyck and the Jets. I’m not quite sure why they’re underdogs at home tonight. Have to ride with the home dogs. 

NHL Best Bets: Winnipeg Jets ML -105 (play to -115) | Colorado Avalanche Team Total Under 3.5 – 165 (play to -175)

April Record: 19-8 (+9.04 units)

2023-24 record: 148–140 (-21.50 units)