Squaring off for the fourth and final time this season, the Winnipeg Jets and the Minnesota Wild collide at the Xcel Energy Center for a Central Division showdown. Sportsnet ONE will air the game, and the action gets going at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 13.
Winnipeg Jets at Minnesota Wild Odds
Winnipeg is 26-19 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 7.3 units this season. 23 of its games have gone over the total, while 19 have gone under and just two have pushed. The Jets are 10-15 SU as the road team in 2017-18.
Winnipeg comes into the match up with the third-best power-play unit in the NHL, as it’s converted on 25.3 percent of its extra-man opportunities this season. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 14th overall, and it has successfully killed off 81.5 percent of all penalties.
For the team as a whole, the Jets have been called for penalties 4.0 times per game overall during the 2017-18 season, and 2.6 per game over its last five road outings. The team has had to kill penalties just 6.5 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 27.4 saves per game with a .923 save percentage, Connor Hellebuyck (23-13-6) has been the best option in goal for Winnipeg this season. Hellebuyck did just play last night, however, so head coach Paul Maurice may opt to rest him and instead go with Steve Mason (3-8-1 record, .897 save percentage, 3.52 goals against average).
Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele will both lead the way for the visiting Jets. Wheeler has 52 points on 14 goals and 38 assists, and has recorded multiple points 15 times. Scheifele has 15 goals and 23 assists to his credit (and has notched at least one point in 21 games).
Over on the other bench, Minnesota is 23-21 straight up (SU) and has lost 1.3 units for moneyline bettors thus far. 23 of its contests have gone over the total, while 19 have gone under and just two have pushed. It’s 14-7 SU at home this year.
The Wild have converted on just 18.4 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked eighth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 83.4 percent of all opponent power plays.
Minnesota skaters have been penalized 4.3 times per game in total this season, 4.4 per game over their last five games total, and 4.2 per game over their last five at home. The teams been forced to stave off opponent power plays 11.2 minutes per game over their last five home outings.
Devan Dubnyk (28.4 saves per game) has been the primary selection in goal for the Wild. Dubnyk has 17 wins, 11 losses, and two OT losses to his credit and has recorded a mediocre 2.66 goals against average and a .918 save percentage this year.
Eric Staal (19 goals, 18 assists) will pace the offensive counter for the Wild.
Winnipeg Jets vs. Minnesota Wild Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Wild, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- Winnipeg is 1-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Minnesota is 2-1 in shootouts.
- The over has hit in three of Minnesota’s last five games.
- Minnesota’s attempted 29.5 shots per contest overall this season (ranked 30th in the NHL), and 31.7 across their last 10 games.
- Five of Winnipeg’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 4-1 in those games.
- Winnipeg skaters have accounted for the 12th-most hits in the league (21.7 per game).
