The Winnipeg Jets and the Detroit Red Wings collide at Little Caesars Arena for an East-versus-West showdown. The first puck will drop at 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 5, and it’ll be showcased live on Fox Sports Detroit.
Winnipeg Jets vs. Detroit Red Wings Odds
Winnipeg (+115) is currently the underdog to Winnipeg (-135), and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-125 to bet the over, +105 for the under).
Winnipeg is 17-10 straight up (SU) and has earned 6.8 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 27 regular season outings, 14 of its games have gone over the total, while 13 have gone under and none have pushed. This 2017-18 Jets team is 7-7 SU on the road.
Winnipeg enters the match up with the first-best power-play unit in the NHL, as it’s scored on 27.7 percent of its extra-man advantages this year. Its penalty kill is ranked 19th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 79.4 percent of all penalties.
For the team as a whole, the Jets have been penalized 4.3 times per game overall in the 2017-18 season, 4.2 per game over its last five matchups total, and 4.2 per game over its last five games as the visiting team. The team’s been forced to kill penalties 8.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Sporting a .925 save percentage and 27.0 saves per game, Connor Hellebuyck (15-7-3) has been the primary option in goal for Winnipeg this year. If Winnipeg decides to rest him, however, they might go with Steve Mason (2-6-1 record, .904 save percentage, 3.45 goals against average).
Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele will both look to continue their strong seasons for the visiting Jets. Wheeler (35 points) is up to seven goals and 28 assists, and has recorded two or more points in nine different games. Scheifele has 14 goals and 20 assists to his credit (and has notched at least one point in 17 games).
On the other side of the ice, Detroit is 10-17 straight up (SU) and has lost 7.3 units for moneyline bettors thus far. 14 of its contests have gone over the total, while 13 have gone under and none have pushed. This year, the team’s 4-9 SU as the home team.
The Red Wings have converted on 22.9 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s good enough for seventh-best in the league. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 11th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 81.9 percent of all opponent power plays.
Red Wings players have been sent to the penalty box 4.2 times per game in total this season, and 3.2 per game over their past five games. The team’s been forced to defend opponent power plays just 6.4 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Jimmy Howard has stopped 26.0 shots per game as the top selection in goal for the Red Wings. Howard has eight wins, 14 losses, and four OT losses to his name and has maintained a mediocre 2.94 goals against average and a subpar .908 save percentage this year.
The Wings offense will be led by Dylan Larkin (four goals, 19 assists).
Winnipeg Jets at Detroit Red Wings Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Red Wings, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes
The total has gone over in three of Detroit’s last five games.
Detroit has allowed 3.3 goals per game (overall) this season, but has allowed 5.1 goals per contest over its seven-game losing streak.
Seven of Winnipeg’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 5-2 in those games.
