Winnipeg Jets vs. Florida Panthers Free Pick

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Two teams matching up for the first time this season, the Winnipeg Jets and the Florida Panthers collide at the BB&T Center in an East-West showdown. The Sports Network will broadcast the matchup, and the opening face-off takes place at 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 7.

Winnipeg Jets vs. Florida Panthers Odds

Winnipeg (+105) is currently the underdog to Winnipeg (-125). The Over/Under (O/U), set at 6 goals, originally opened at -130 for the over and +110 for the under. That line has since shifted however, and it now sits at -110 for the over, -110 for the under. Winnipeg is 17-11 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 5.4 units this season. 15 of its games have gone over the total, while 13 have gone under and none have pushed. This 2017-18 Jets team is 7-8 SU on the road. Winnipeg currently has the third-best power-play unit in the NHL, as it’s found the net on 27.0 percent of its extra-man advantages this year. Its penalty kill is ranked 17th overall, and it has successfully killed off 80.6 percent of its penalties. The Jets, as a collective unit, have been whistled for penalties 4.4 times per game overall this season, and 5.0 per game over its last five matchups. The teams had to defend opponent power plays 8.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings. With a .921 save percentage and 27.0 saves per game, Connor Hellebuyck (15-8-3) has been the primary option in goal for Winnipeg this season. If Winnipeg decides to rest him, however, the team might roll with Steve Mason (2-6-1), who has a .904 save percentage and 3.45 goals against average this year. Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele will both look to continue their strong seasons for the visiting Jets. Wheeler has 36 points on seven goals and 29 assists, and has recorded two or more points 10 times. Scheifele has 14 goals and 20 assists to his credit (and has logged a point in 18 games). On the other side of the ice, Florida is 10-17 straight up (SU) and has lost 7.0 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 27 regular season contests, 14 of its games have gone over the total, while 13 have gone under and none have pushed. It’s 5-8 SU as the home team this season. The Panthers have converted on just 16.7 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that’s ranked 25th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 28th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 75.3 percent of all opponent power plays. Panthers players have been penalized 4.3 times per game in total this season, and 2.0 per game over their last five at home. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 7.5 minutes per game over their last 10 outings. Roberto Luongo has stopped 31.7 shots per game as the top selection in goal for the Panthers. Luongo has six wins, nine losses, and two OT losses and has maintained a mediocre 2.62 goals against average and a .928 save percentage this season. The Panthers will be led on offense by Vincent Trocheck (10 goals, 17 assists).

Winnipeg Jets vs. Florida Panthers Betting Picks

Predictions: SU Winner – Panthers, O/U – Over

Betting Trends

  • Two of Florida’s last ten games have ended in a shootout. The team is 1-1 in those games and 2-2 overall in shootouts this season.
  • The total has gone under in three of Florida’s last five outings.
  • Winnipeg has managed 32.0 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Florida has been attempting 38.6 shots per game over its last five at home.
  • Florida has allowed 3.3 goals per game, while managing just 2.3 per contest, over its three-game losing skid.
  • Over Winnipeg’s last ten games, eight of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 5-3 in those games).
  • Winnipeg skaters have dished out the 11th-most hits in the league (22.2 per game).