Two teams squaring off for the second time this season, the Winnipeg Jets and the Anaheim Ducks collide at the Honda Center for a Western Conference tilt. The matchup will get underway at 10 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 25, and you are able to see the game live on The Sports Network.
Winnipeg Jets vs. Anaheim Ducks Odds
Winnipeg (+110) is playing the role of underdog to Anaheim (-130) and the oddsmakers have put the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-110 for the over, -110 for the under).
Winnipeg is 29-20 straight up (SU) and has earned 8.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 49 regular season matches, 24 of its games have gone over the total, while 23 have gone under and just two have pushed. The Jets are 12-16 SU as an away team in 2017-18.
Winnipeg comes into the match up with the second-best power-play unit in the NHL, as it’s scored on 25.1 percent of its extra-man opportunities this year. Its penalty kill is ranked 15th overall, and it has successfully killed off 81.8 percent of its penalties.
The Jets, as a collective unit, have been penalized 4.0 times per game overall this season, 3.6 per game over its last five contests total, and 3.8 per game over its last five games as the visiting team. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays just 7.3 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 27.8 saves per game with a .924 save percentage, Connor Hellebuyck (26-14-6) has been the top option in goal for Winnipeg this season. If head coach Paul Maurice decides to rest him, however, the team could roll with Steve Mason (3-8-1), who has a .897 save percentage and 3.52 goals against average this year.
Blake Wheeler and Patrik Laine will both look to continue their strong seasons for the visiting Jets. Wheeler (54 points) has tallied 14 goals and 40 assists, and has recorded two or more points 15 times. Laine has 21 goals and 17 assists to his name, and has logged at least one point in 30 games.
Anaheim is 23-26 straight up (SU) and has lost 1.8 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 49 regular season matches, 30 of its games have gone under the total, while 18 have gone over and just one has pushed. This year, the team is 13-12 SU at home.
The Ducks have converted on just 17.8 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s ranked 23rd in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 12th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.2 percent of all opponent power plays.
Anaheim players have been whistled for penalties 4.6 times per game in total this season, and 4.0 per game over their last five at home. The team’s been forced to stave off opponent power plays 8.8 minutes per game over their last five outings.
John Gibson (29.7 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for the Ducks. Gibson has 17 wins, 21 losses, and six overtime losses and has maintained a mediocre 2.68 goals against average and a .921 save percentage this season.
The home team offense will be led by Rickard Rakell (18 goals, 18 assists).
Winnipeg Jets vs. Anaheim Ducks Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Jets, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Trends
Anaheim is 2-5 in games decided by a shootout this season while Winnipeg is 2-1 in shootouts.
The total has gone over in three of Anaheim’s last five games.
Four of Winnipeg’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 3-1 in those games.
The Ducks this season have handed the eighth-most hits per game (23.7).
