The Colorado Avalanche arrive in Winnipeg with their offense already humming at a wild early-season pace, and that makes tonight’s matchup at Canada Life Centre a natural place to hunt for player props. Colorado has scored 14 goals in just two games, while the Jets, despite opening 2-0, have already given up eight goals through three contests. That combination opens the door to a few angles worth watching.
Nathan MacKinnon is the cleanest place to start. His over 3.5 shots on goal at -112 lines up with the way Colorado is generating offense right now.
MacKinnon is driving the top line, pushing entries, and usually ends up being the one firing when the Avalanche spend long stretches in the offensive zone. Winnipeg has had trouble getting the puck cleanly out of its end, and that can lead to the kind of extended shifts that pile up shot volume for Colorado’s best players.
The Jets also tend to collapse toward the middle defensively, which can leave space for MacKinnon to work from the circles and keep the puck moving toward the net instead of overhandling it.
Artturi Lehkonen over 0.5 points at -107 is another spot that fits the way Colorado is attacking early in the season. He does a lot of the dirty work around the crease, battles along the boards, and helps keep possessions alive when plays start to break down.
That style can turn into points in a hurry, whether he finishes around the net or helps create a goal with a quick pass after winning a puck battle. Against a Winnipeg group that has shown some issues with defensive zone coverage, Lehkonen’s ability to stay involved around loose pucks and rebound chances makes him a steady option.
Devon Toews over 1.5 shots on goal at -105 gives you a quieter path into the same game environment. While Cale Makar draws most of the attention on the blue line, Toews has his own consistent offensive role in Colorado’s system.
He joins the rush, looks for open lanes, and isn’t shy about getting the puck toward goal when the passing options disappear. If Winnipeg spends much of the night focused on Colorado’s top forwards, that can leave room for Toews at the points and along the half-wall.
With the minutes he plays in all situations, asking for two shots is a modest number.
For a game that already features a Colorado attack producing at a heavy clip, these three props each point to a different way the Avalanche can cash in.
In Other News...
Former Avalanche Blue-Liner Brings Back An All Too Familiar What-If
Ryan Lindgrens night for the Kraken ended almost before it began, a jarring turn for a defenseman whose career has already been marked by constant movement. He was hurt 15 seconds into Seattles game against the Vegas Golden Knights after taking a hit from behind and did not return because of an upper-body injury, another frustrating reminder of how quickly a season can tilt for a player trying to carve out stability in a new home.
For Avalanche fans, Lindgrens situation can stir a familiar what-if after his brief stint in Colorado following a trade brought him into the fold. He is now in his second season with Seattle, and his recent career path has been a reminder of how often his value has traveled with him from stop to stop. The injury adds a fresh layer of uncertainty to a season that had already been defined by change, leaving more questions about what comes next than answers. [Read more 🡒]
Nathan MacKinnon Suddenly Has The Help Colorado Needed Most
The Avalanche barely had time to settle into the season before their offense started roaring, piling up 14 goals in the first two games and matching a franchise mark. Martin Necas has been a big part of that early surge, flashing the kind of finish and playmaking Colorado hoped to add when it put him alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Artturi Lehkonen.
Necas backed up the buzz in the 6-1 win over the Blues, scoring twice and adding an assist as the top line combined for three goals and eight points. What makes the start even more encouraging for Colorado is that the scoring has come with strong defensive work behind it, giving the Avalanche an early look at the balance they have been chasing. [Read more 🡒]
Bednar Sees One Risk Colorado Must Fix With Zach LHeureux
Zach LHeureux arrives with a reputation that follows him everywhere, and not just because of the way he plays. Since the start of his career, he has piled up 12 suspensions and missed 42 games, a track record that includes a recent three-game ban for slew-footing. For Colorado, the appeal is obvious: there is edge in his game, and edge is something this team has long valued when it is paired with speed, skill and purpose.
Jared Bednar sees the same upside, but he also knows the risk that comes with it. The Avalanche coach said LHeureux can learn to play with bite without crossing the line, pointing to Nazem Kadri as an example of how a player can keep the fire while cleaning up the consequences. The challenge now is less about whether LHeureux can bring energy than whether he can harness it, because Colorado needs that presence on the ice far more than it needs another discipline problem on the ledger. [Read more 🡒]