Bell MTS Place is playing host to an East-West tilt as the Carolina Hurricanes travel north to take on the Winnipeg Jets. The opening faceoff will be at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, October 14, and it will be televised live on Sportsnet 360.
Carolina Hurricanes at Winnipeg Jets Odds
Carolina (+170) is currently the underdog to Winnipeg (-200) and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at an even 6 goals (-120 to bet the over, +100 for the under).
Carolina is 4-1 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 1.7 units this season. That SU win percentage, ranked third in the NHL so far in this young season, represents a welcome improvement compared to what the team managed during last year’s regular season (36-46). Through five regular season outings, Two of its games have gone over the total, while another two have gone under and none have pushed. This 2018-19 Hurricanes team is 2-0 SU on the road.
The Hurricanes have found the net on 10.5 percent of their power play opportunities so far. That’s a noticeable drop-off from last year, when they were ranked 22nd in the NHL by scoring on 18.3 percent of their extra-man advantages. Their penalty kill has fallen off noticeably, as they’ve gone from successfully defending 77.5 percent of opponents’ power plays (ranked 24th overall last year) to 68.4 percent this year.
For the team as a whole, the Canes have been penalized 4.6 times per game this season. Last year, that figure was the lowest mark in the league at 2.7 penalties per game. After serving an average of 6.2 penalty minutes per game a year ago, the team has had to kill penalties for 9.2 minutes per matchup this season.
Averaging 24.0 saves per game with a .900 save percentage, Curtis McElhinney (3-0) has been the best option in goal for Carolina this year. McElhinney played yesterday, however, so Carolina may opt to rest him and turn to Petr Mrazek instead (1-1-1 record, .841 save percentage, 3.52 goals against average).
The visiting Hurricanes have relied on Sebastian Aho and Justin Williams heavily this year. Aho has 10 points on four goals and six assists this season; Williams has one goal and six assists to his credit through the early phase of the regular season.
Winnipeg is 2-2 straight up (SU) and has lost 0.2 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through four regular season outings, two of its games have gone under the total, while zero have gone over and two have pushed.
The Jets have converted on 20.0 percent of their power plays this year after scoring on 23.4 percent (ranked sixth in league) last season. They’ve killed off an impressive 85.0 percent of their penalties, a few points higher than the 81.0 percent they recorded a year ago (when they were ranked 11th overall).
Winnipeg players have been whistled for penalties 6.8 times per game this season, a number that has climbed noticeably from the 3.8 penalties per game given up last year. After serving an average of 8.6 penalty minutes per game a year ago, the team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays for a whopping 22.3 minutes per matchup this season.
Connor Hellebuyck has stopped 28.5 shots per game as the top netminder in goal for the Jets. Hellebuyck has two wins and two losses and has maintained a .919 save percentage and 2.50 goals against average this season.
The Jets will be led on offense by Kyle Connor (three goals, one assist).
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Winnipeg Jets Free Picks
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Hurricanes, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Trends
Carolina has yet to lose a game by two more more goals this season.
Carolina skaters recorded 19.5 hits per game last season, while the Jets logged 23.3 hits per matchup.
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