Bell MTS Place will be hosting an enticing matchup as the Winnipeg Jets welcome the visiting Ottawa Senators. It’s the last time that the two clubs will go at it in the regular season. TVA Sports will broadcast this East-West matchup, which gets going at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 16.
Ottawa Senators at Winnipeg Jets Odds
Winnipeg (-255) is the favorite over Ottawa (+215), and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 7 goals. The odds for betting that total stand at -130 money on the over and +110 on the under.
The Jets are 36-22 straight-up (SU) and have netted 6.0 units for moneyline bettors this year. That winning percentage, ranked third in the NHL in this young season, hasn’t moved much from the 52-30 record the team produced during last year’s regular season campaign. Through 58 regular season contests, 27 of the team’s games have gone over the total, while 24 have gone under and just seven have pushed. The team’s 21-10 SU at home this season.
Winnipeg’s converted on 25.0 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that places them in the top-5 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 16th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 80.1 percent of all penalties.
As a team, Winnipeg has been whistled for penalties 3.7 times per game overall this season, 4.0 per game over its past five outings total, and 3.4 per game over its last five at home. The team’s had to stave off opposition power plays for just 8.2 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, in total.
Averaging 29.2 saves per game with a .911 save percentage, Connor Hellebuyck (26-19-2) has been the principal option in goal for the Jets this year. If they choose to give him a rest, however, Winnipeg may roll with Laurent Brossoit (10-4-4 record, .934 save percentage, 2.30 goals against average).
Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler will each spearhead the attack for the Jets. Scheifele (68 points) has produced 30 goals and 38 assists and has recorded multiple points on 19 separate occasions this year. Wheeler has 12 goals and 56 assists to his credit and has notched a point in 42 contests.
In the other locker room, Ottawa is 21-36 straight up (SU) and has lost 4.0 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 57 regular season matches, 32 of its games have gone over the total, while 21 have gone under the total and just four have pushed. As an away team, Ottawa is 7-20 SU so far.
Ottawa has converted on 20.8 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 26th overall and it’s successfully killed off 77.1 percent of all opponent power plays.
Ottawa’s players have been penalized 3.5 times per game in total this season, and 2.6 per game over their last five road outings. The team’s been forced to kill penalties just 8.0 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Craig Anderson (3.55 goals against average and .904 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Ottawa. Anderson is averaging 31.4 saves per game and has 14 wins, 21 losses, and three OT losses to his credit.
Mark Stone (26 goals, 31 assists) and Matt Duchene (26 goals, 28 assists) are the top point-getters for Ottawa and will pace the offensive counter for the visiting Senators.
Ottawa Senators at Winnipeg Jets Free Picks
Free NHL Pick: SU Winner – Jets, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- For both of these teams, the over has hit in three of their last five matchups.
- Power plays and penalty kills could have a critical role tonight. The Senators are 9-14 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 16-22 when they’re in the penalty box for fewer than 10 minutes, total. The Jets are 16-11 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 23-15 in games where they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.
- Winnipeg is ranked 16th in the NHL with 7.6 takeaways per game. That figure’s trended down lately, however, as it has forced 7.1 takeaways over its last 10 games and 5.4 takeaways over its last five.
- Ottawa skaters have managed 7.0 takeaways per game over its last five road games, right in line with its season average of 7.2 takeaways per game (ranked 21st in the league).
- Winnipeg could hold the upper hand if this one comes down to the wire. The team’s 15-7 in games decided by one goal, while Ottawa is just 6-12 in such games.
