Two of the NHL’s most-lethal power play teams, the Winnipeg Jets and the New York Islanders meet at the Barclays Center for an East-West matchup. The action gets underway at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 23, and it can be watched live on MSG Network.
Winnipeg Jets at New York Islanders Odds
Winnipeg is 20-16 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 3.3 units this season. Through 36 regular season contests, 19 of its games have gone over the total, while 16 have gone under and just one has pushed. This 2017-18 Jets team is 8-12 SU on the road.
Winnipeg has converted on 24.8 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that places them in the top-5 among NHL teams. Its penalty kill is ranked 21st out of 31 teams, and it’s successfully killed off 80.0 percent of all penalties.
For the team as a whole, Winnipeg has been penalized 4.2 times per game in the 2017-18 season, 3.8 per game over its past five contests total, and 4.2 per game over its last five on the road. The teams been forced to kill penalties just 8.0 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Sporting a .920 save percentage and 27.0 saves per game, Connor Hellebuyck (18-11-5) has been the top option in goal for Winnipeg this season. If Winnipeg chooses to rest him, however, head coach Paul Maurice might turn to Steve Mason (2-7-1), who has a .907 save percentage and 3.26 goals against average this year.
Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele will both lead the way for the visiting Jets. Wheeler has 41 points on nine goals and 32 assists, and has recorded two or more points in 11 different games. Scheifele has 15 goals and 22 assists to his name (and has notched at least one point in 21 games).
On the other side of the rink, New York is 18-17 straight up (SU) and has lost 0.3 units for moneyline bettors thus far. 24 of its contests have gone over the total, while 10 have gone under and just one has pushed. It’s 10-6 SU at home this season.
New York has converted on 22.5 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 31st overall, and it’s successfully killed off 72.8 percent of all penalties.
New York skaters have been sent to the penalty box only 3.4 times per game in total this season, and 2.4 per game over their last five home outings. The teams been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 7.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jaroslav Halak has denied 26.6 shots per game as the top netminder in goal for New York. Halak has nine wins, 11 losses, and two OT losses and has registered a subpar .903 save percentage and 3.07 goals against average this season.
The Isles will be led on offense by John Tavares (21 goals, 24 assists) and Josh Bailey (10 goals, 35 assists).
Winnipeg Jets at New York Islanders Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Islanders, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- Winnipeg is 1-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while New York is 2-1 in shootouts.
- Six of New York’s last ten contests have been decided by two or more goals. The team is 1-5 overall in those games.
- Winnipeg skaters have accounted for the 11th-most hits in the league (22.1 per game).
