Bell MTS Place plays host to a divisional tilt as the Winnipeg Jets welcome the visiting Dallas Stars. It’s the fourth and last time that these two clubs will meet in the regular season. Sportsnet will showcase the matchup, and the opening face-off is at 7:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 18.
Dallas Stars vs. Winnipeg Jets Odds
Dallas (+145) is currently the underdog to Winnipeg (-165).
Netting 8.7 units for moneyline bettors, Winnipeg is 42-29 straight up (SU) overall in the 2017-18 season. That winning percentage, ranked 2nd in the Central Division in this young season, is a welcome improvement over the 40-42 record from the 2016-17 season campaign. Among the team’s 71 games this season, 35 have gone over the total, while 34 have gone under and just two have pushed. This year, the team is 25-9 SU at home.
The Jets have connected on 23.8 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that places them in the top-5 among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked fourth overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 83.2 percent of all penalties.
As a team, the Jets have been penalized 3.9 times per game overall this season, and 3.2 per game over their last five at home. The team’s had to kill penalties for just 7.1 minutes per game over their last 10 matchups, in total.
Boasting a .925 save percentage and 28.3 saves per game, Connor Hellebuyck (36-23-9) has been the primary goalkeeper for the Jets this season. If head coach Paul Maurice chooses to give him the night off, however, the team could roll with Steve Mason (4-8-8 record, .906 save percentage, 3.18 goals against average).
Blake Wheeler and Patrik Laine will both spearhead the attack for the Jets. Wheeler (78 points) has produced 18 goals and 60 assists and has recorded multiple points in 21 different games this year. Laine has 41 goals and 25 assists to his credit and has recorded at least one point in 47 contests.
Dallas is 38-34 straight up (SU) and has lost 8.6 units for moneyline bettors thus far. A total of 36 of its outings have gone over the total, while 34 have gone under and just two have pushed. The Stars are 14-21 SU as the away team this season.
The Stars have converted on 20.3 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 11th overall and it’s successfully defended 82.0 percent of all penalties.
Dallas’ skaters have been penalized 4.3 times per game in total this season, 4.2 per game over their past five contests total, and 4.8 per game over their last five games as the visiting team. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays 12.2 minutes per contest over their last five road games.
Ben Bishop (.916 save percentage and 2.50 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Dallas. Bishop is averaging 25.3 saves per game and owns a 26-26-6 record.
Leading the offensive attack for the visiting Stars will be Tyler Seguin (38 goals, 31 assists) and Jamie Benn (25 goals, 40 assists).
Dallas Stars vs. Winnipeg Jets Betting Predictions
Free Pick: SU Winner – Jets, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes
Dallas is 4-3 in games decided by a shootout this season while Winnipeg is 2-2 in shootouts.
The total has gone under in four of Winnipeg’s last five games.
Dallas has managed 28.4 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Winnipeg is averaging 37.4 shots per game over its last five home outings.
Four of Dallas’ last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 1-3 in those games.
Dallas skaters have accounted for the ninth-most hits in the league (22.8 per game).
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