Matt Dumba, Ryan Suter, and the Minnesota Wild are set to face off against Patrik Laine, Mark Scheifele, and the Winnipeg Jets at Bell MTS Place in a divisional tilt. The opening face-off takes place at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, October 10, and fans at home will be able to watch it live on Fox Sports North.
Minnesota Wild vs. Winnipeg Jets Odds
The Jets (-135) are tabbed as the favorites over the Wild (+115), and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at an even 6 goals (-115 for the over, -105 for the under).
Winnipeg is 2-2 straight-up (SU) and has earned 0.7 units for moneyline bettors this season. That early-season winning percentage is a regression from the 47-35 record that the team managed during last year’s regular season campaign.
The Jets have successfully found the net on 11.1 percent of their power play chances in 2019-20. That’s a noticeable drop-off from last season, when they were ranked fourth in the league by scoring on 24.6 percent of their extra-man advantages. Their penalty kill has fallen off significantly year-over-year as they’ve gone from successfully defending 78.7 percent of opponents’ power plays (ranked 24th overall last season) to 71.4 percent this year.
Averaging 32.0 saves per game with a .889 save percentage, Laurent Brossoit (1-1) has been the most dependable goalkeeper for the Jets this season. If Winnipeg chooses to give him a breather, however, head coach Paul Maurice might turn to Connor Hellebuyck (1-1-1 record, .913 save percentage, 3.02 goals against average).
Minnesota has lost 2.0 units for moneyline bettors this year and is currently 0-2 straight up (SU). One of its contests have gone over the total, while none have gone under the total and one has pushed. The Wild are 0-2 SU as the road team this season.
The Wild have scored on 28.6 percent of their power play chances this year after converting on 20.3 percent of their extra-man opportunities last season (a figure that was just better than the league average). The team has gone from killing off 81.7 percent of opponent power plays (ranked eighth overall last season) to 87.5 percent in 2019-20.
The winless Devan Dubnyk (3.58 goals against average and .887 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Minnesota. Dubnyk is averaging 27.5 saves per game and has zero wins and two losses to his credit.
Minnesota Wild vs. Winnipeg Jets Free Picks
Free NHL Tip: SU Winner – Jets, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- After winning two of their three shootouts last year, the Jets are off to a 1-0 start in shootouts this season. The Wild were 1-4 in shootouts last year and has yet to participate in one this time around.
- Minnesota skaters registered 19.5 hits per game last season, while the Jets forced 22.7 hits per contest.
