The Winnipeg Jets and the expansion franchise Vegas Golden Knights meet at Bell MTS Place in a Western Conference tilt. It’s the third time these teams have met in the regular season. The puck drops at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 1, and fans at home can view the game live on AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain.
Vegas Golden Knights at Winnipeg Jets Odds
Vegas (+105) is currently the underdog to Winnipeg (-125), and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-120 money on the over, +100 on the under). Those O/U odds have shifted after initially opening at -125 over and +105 under.
Vegas is 33-16 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 20.1 units this year. 27 of its matches have gone over the total, while 20 have gone under and just two have pushed. As the road team this season, the Knights are 14-11 SU.
Vegas has converted on 19.6 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. Its penalty kill is ranked seventh overall, and the team’s successfully killed off 83.2 percent of its penalties.
The Knights, as a collective unit, have been penalized just 3.2 times per game overall during the 2017-18 season, and 2.6 per game over its last five games. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays just 6.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
With a .942 save percentage and 29.2 saves per game, Marc-Andre Fleury (13-6-2) has been the best option in goal for Vegas this season. If it decides to give him a rest, however, Vegas might roll with Malcolm Subban (12-3-1 record, .914 save percentage, 2.49 goals against average).
Jonathan Marchessault and William Karlsson will both spearhead the attack for the visiting Golden Knights. Marchessault (48 points) is up to 18 goals and 30 assists, and has recorded multiple points 13 times. Karlsson has 27 goals and 17 assists to his creditand has registered at least one point in 29 games.
On the other side of the rink, Winnipeg is 30-21 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 8.3 units this year. Through 51 regular season contests, 25 of its games have gone over the total, while 24 have gone under and just two have pushed. It’s 18-4 SU as the home team this year.
The Jets come into the matchup with the second-strongest power-play unit in the NHL, as they’ve scored on 24.9 percent of their extra-man chances this season. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 10th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.6 percent of all opponent power plays.
Winnipeg players have been whistled for penalties 4.0 times per game in total this season, 3.8 per game over their last five outings total, and 4.0 per game over their last five at home. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 8.1 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Connor Hellebuyck (28.0 saves per game) has been the top option in goal for the Jets. Hellebuyck has 26 wins, 15 losses, and seven overtime losses and has registered a 2.35 goals against average and a .924 save percentage this season.
The Jets will be led on offense by Blake Wheeler (14 goals, 42 assists).
Vegas Golden Knights at Winnipeg Jets Free Picks
Prediction: SU Winner – Golden Knights, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- Two of Winnipeg’s last ten games have ended in a shootout. The team is 1-1 in those games and 2-2 overall in shootouts this year.
- The total has gone under in three of Winnipeg’s last five outings.
- Four of Vegas’ last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 4-0 in those games.
- The Jets this season have registered the 12th-most hits per game (22.0).
