Facing each other for the final time this season, the Winnipeg Jets and the Carolina Hurricanes collide at PNC Arena. The Sports Network will showcase this East-West matchup, which gets going at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, March 8.
Winnipeg Jets vs. Carolina Hurricanes Odds
Carolina (-135) is being tabbed as the favorite over Winnipeg (+115), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been placed at 7 goals. The odds for betting the total stand at -110 for the over and -110 on the under.
Winnipeg is 39-27 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 2.3 units this season. Through 66 regular season outings, 33 of its games have gone over the total, while 26 have gone under and just seven have pushed. As the road team this season, the Jets are 17-15 SU.
Winnipeg has converted on 25.5 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that places them in the top-5 among NHL teams. Its penalty kill is ranked 26th overall, and it’s successfully killed off only 78.3 percent of its penalties.
For the team as a whole, Winnipeg has been sent to the penalty box 3.9 times per game overall this season, and 5.6 per game over its last five on the road. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays 15.6 minutes per contest over their last five road games.
Averaging 29.8 saves per game with a .910 save percentage, Connor Hellebuyck (28-22-2) has been the best option in goal for Winnipeg this year. If it chooses to give him a rest, however, head coach Paul Maurice might turn to Laurent Brossoit (11-7-2), who has a .927 save percentage and 2.53 goals against average this year.
Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele will both look to continue their strong seasons for the visiting Jets. Wheeler (81 points) has tallied 18 goals and 63 assists, and has recorded multiple points 20 times. Scheifele has 32 goals and 43 assists to his credit (and has registered at least one point in 41 games).
Carolina is 36-30 straight up (SU) and has lost 5.3 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 66 regular season contests, 37 of its games have gone under the total, while 28 have gone over and just one has pushed. This year, the team’s 18-14 SU at home.
Carolina has converted on just 17.2 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that places it in the bottom 10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked ninth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 81.7 percent of all penalties.
Carolina skaters have been penalized 3.6 times per game this season, 3.2 per game over their last five contests total, and 3.4 per game over their last five at home. The team’s been forced to stave off opponent power plays 8.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Petr Mrazek has denied 24.2 shots per game as the top selection in the crease for Carolina. Mrazek has 16 wins, 15 losses, and three overtime losses to his credit and has maintained a fairly-weak .904 save percentage and 2.60 goals against average this year.
Sebastian Aho (29 goals, 46 assists) will lead the attack for Carolina.
Winnipeg Jets at Carolina Hurricanes Free Picks
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Hurricanes, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- Winnipeg is 2-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Carolina is 1-2 in shootouts.
- For both of these teams, the game went over the total in four of their past five outings.
- Six of Carolina’s last ten contests have been decided by two or more goals. The team is 6-0 overall in those games.
- The Canes this season have registered the seventh-most hits per game in the NHL (25.0).
