In their third head-to-head meeting of the regular season, the Chicago Blackhawks and the Winnipeg Jets collide at Bell MTS Place in a Central Division matchup. The match will get going at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 15, and you can view it live on NBC Sports Chicago.
Chicago Blackhawks at Winnipeg Jets Odds
Winnipeg (-185) is currently favored over Chicago (+160), and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at an even 6 goals. The line for betting the total stands at -105 for the over and -115 for the under.
Earning moneyline bettors 7.7 units, the Jets are 41-29 straight up (SU) overall thus far. That winning percentage, ranked fifth in the NHL so far this season, is a welcome improvement compared to what the team did during last year’s regular season (40-42). Through 70 regular season outings, 34 of its games have gone over the total, while another 34 have gone under and just two have pushed. This season, the team is 24-9 SU at home.
Winnipeg comes into the matchup with the third-best power-play unit in the NHL, as it’s converted on 24.2 percent of their extra-man advantages this season. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated fourth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 83.0 percent of all penalties.
As a team, Winnipeg has been whistled for penalties 3.9 times per game overall this season, 3.8 per game over its past five outings total, and 4.2 per game over its last five home outings. The team’s had to defend opponent power plays for just 7.5 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, overall.
Averaging 28.3 saves per game with a .925 save percentage, Connor Hellebuyck (35-23-9) has been the best goalkeeper for the Jets this year. If head coach Paul Maurice decides to give him the night off, however, the Jets may roll with Steve Mason (4-8-8 record, .906 save percentage, 3.18 goals against average).
The Jets will continue to rely on offensive production from Blake Wheeler and Patrik Laine. Wheeler (77 points) is up to 18 goals and 59 assists and has recorded multiple points on 21 separate occasions this year. Laine has 41 goals and 24 assists to his credit and has notched a point in 46 games.
On the other side of the ice, Chicago is 30-40 straight up (SU) and has lost 14.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. A total of 37 of its contests have gone under the total, while 30 have gone over and just three have pushed. Chicago’s 13-22 SU as a road team this season.
Chicago has converted on just 16.0 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that’s ranked 28th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 16th overall and it’s successfully killed off 80.0 percent of all penalties.
Chicago’s players have been called for penalties only 3.4 times per game this season, and 2.1 per game over their past ten games. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays just 5.0 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Corey Crawford (.929 save percentage and 2.27 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Chicago. Crawford is averaging 27.9 saves per game and has 16 wins, 12 losses, and two OT losses to his credit.
Patrick Kane (25 goals, 41 assists) has been one of the most vital playmaking threats for the visiting Blackhawks.
Chicago Blackhawks at Winnipeg Jets Betting Picks
Pick: SU Winner – Jets, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- The total has gone under in each of Winnipeg’s last five outings.
- Penalties and power plays could prove to be extremely important tonight. The Blackhawks are 23-17 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 22-25 when they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Jets are 18-10 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 27-18 when total penalty minutes are in the single digits.
- Winnipeg is 2-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while Chicago is 1-1 in shootouts.
- Winnipeg skaters have averaged 8.0 takeaways per game over its last five home games, an improvement over its season average of 7.0 takeaways per game (ranked 19th overall).
- Chicago has created 7.3 takeaways per game (ranked 14th in the NHL).
