Bell MTS Place will be the site for an East-West clash as the Washington Capitals come into town to face the Winnipeg Jets. NBC Sports Washington will showcase the matchup, and the opening face-off is at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, February 13.
Washington Capitals vs. Winnipeg Jets Odds
Winnipeg comes into the contest as the heavy favorite with a moneyline of -140. The line for Washington sits at +120 and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals. The odds for betting that total stand at -115 for the over and -105 for the under.
Earning moneyline bettors 5.0 units, Winnipeg is 32-24 straight up (SU) overall thus far. That early-season winning percentage is a welcome improvement compared to what the team managed during the 2016-17 season (40-42). Among the teams 56 games this season, 27 have gone over the total, while an additional 27 have gone under and just two have pushed. The teams 20-7 SU at home this year.
The Jets have been able to convert on 23.7 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that places them in the top-5 among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked seventh overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 82.7 percent of all penalties.
The Jets, as a collective unit, have been penalized 3.9 times per game overall this season, and 2.8 per game over their last five games at home. The team has had to defend opposition power plays for just 6.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings, overall.
With a .923 save percentage and 27.6 saves per game, Connor Hellebuyck (28-18-8) has been the best option in goal for Winnipeg this season. If head coach Paul Maurice decides to give him a rest, however, Winnipeg might roll with Steve Mason (3-8-8 record, .897 save percentage, 3.52 goals against average).
Blake Wheeler and Patrik Laine will each be focal points for the Jets. Wheeler (60 points) is up to 14 goals and 46 assists and has recorded two or more points 17 times this year. Laine has 25 goals and 17 assists to his name and has notched at least one point in 34 contests.
Over on the other bench, Washington is 32-23 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 4.1 units this year. A total of 32 of its outings have gone over the total, while 23 have gone under and none have pushed. As an away team so far, the Capitals are 12-13 SU.
The Capitals have scored on 21.6 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 18th overall and it’s successfully killed off 79.7 percent of all opponent power plays.
Washington’s skaters have been penalized 4.1 times per game this season, and 4.8 per game over their last five on the road. The teams had to defend opponent power plays just 7.0 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Braden Holtby (28.6 saves per game) has been the primary choice in goal for Washington. Holtby has 28 wins, 13 losses, and three OT losses to his credit, while registering a .914 save percentage and 2.79 goals against average this year.
Alex Ovechkin (33 goals, 27 assists) will pace the attack for the visiting Capitals.
Washington Capitals at Winnipeg Jets Betting Predictions
Pick: SU Winner – Jets, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- Two of Winnipeg’s last ten games have gone to a shootout. The team is 1-1 in those games and 2-2 overall in shootouts this year.
- The under has hit in three of Winnipeg’s last five outings.
- Over Washington’s last ten games, four of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 3-1 in those games).
- Washington skaters have accounted for the leagues 10th-most hits per game (22.5).
