Two teams facing each other for the first time this season, the Ottawa Senators and the Winnipeg Jets collide at Bell MTS Place in an East-West showdown. The opening face-off takes place at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 3, and it will air live on Sportsnet.
Ottawa Senators at Winnipeg Jets Odds
Ottawa (+135) is playing the role of underdog to Winnipeg (-155) and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals (-130 to bet the over, +110 for the under).
Winnipeg is 16-10 straight up (SU) and has earned 5.8 units for moneyline bettors this year. That winning percentage, ranked fourth in the NHL in this young season, is a welcome improvement over the 40-42 record from the 2016-17 season campaign. Of its 26 games this season, 14 have gone over the total, while 12 have gone under and none have pushed. The teams 9-3 SU at home this season.
The Jets come into the matchup with the third-strongest power-play unit in the NHL, as they have converted on 25.8 percent of their extra-man advantages this season. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 20th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 78.7 percent of all penalties.
As a team, the Jets have been penalized 4.3 times per game overall this season, 4.2 per game over their past five outings total, and 4.6 per game over their last five at home. The teams had to kill penalties for 9.8 minutes per contest over their last five home games.
Boasting a .923 save percentage and 27.3 saves per game, Connor Hellebuyck (14-7-3) has been the top option in goal for Winnipeg this season. If the Jets, however, choose to rest him, Winnipeg could turn to Steve Mason (2-6-6 record, .904 save percentage, 3.45 goals against average).
The Jets will continue seeking leadership via Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler. Scheifele (32 points) has tallied 13 goals and 19 assists and has recorded two or more points eight times this year. Wheeler has six goals and 25 assists to his credit and has notched at least one point in 13 contests.
On the other side of the ice, Ottawa is 9-15 straight up (SU) and has lost 9.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline thus far. Through 24 regular season matches, 14 of its games have gone over the total, while 10 have gone under and none have pushed. The Senators are 5-5 SU as the away team this season.
The Senators have converted on 17.4 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 18th overall and it’s successfully killed off 79.4 percent of all opponent power plays.
Ottawa’s players have been whistled for penalties only 3.5 times per game this season, and 2.4 per game over their last five road outings. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 5.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Craig Anderson (23.6 saves per game) has been the main choice in the net for Ottawa. Anderson has eight wins, 11 losses, and three OT losses to his credit, and has registered a .889 save percentage and 3.15 goals against average this year.
Mark Stone (14 goals, 11 assists) will lead the attack for the visiting Senators.
Ottawa Senators vs. Winnipeg Jets Betting Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Jets, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- 68.8 percent of Winnipeg’s wins have come by two or more goals (the team is 11-6 overall in such games) while 44.4 percent of Ottawa’s wins have come by two goals or more (4-6 overall in such games).
- Extra-man opportunities may be critical tonight. The Senators are 4-11 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 6-10 in games where they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Jets are 6-4 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 7-5 when they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.
- Ottawa (1-4 in shootouts) has more experience this season in games decided by shootout. Winnipeg emerged victorious in its one shootout this season.
- The total has gone under in three of Winnipeg’s last five games.
- Winnipeg has averaged 10.8 giveaways over its last five home games, a rise over its season average of 9.7 giveaways per game (ranked 15th).
- Ottawa is ranked 19th this season with 10.0 giveaways per game. That figure has trended down lately, however, as it’s averaged 9.0 giveaways over its last 10 games and 9.2 giveaways over its last five.
- This game features a couple of the tougher teams in the league. Ottawa skaters have accounted for the ninth-most hits in the league (22.8 per game) and the Jets have handed the 12th-most (22.2).
