Bell MTS Place will play host to a Central Division matchup as the Winnipeg Jets welcome the visiting Chicago Blackhawks. It’s the fifth and last time that the two clubs will go at it in the regular season. The opening face-off takes place at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 7, and you can watch it live on Sportsnet.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Winnipeg Jets Odds
Winnipeg (-235) is currently the favorite over Chicago (+195), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at an even 6 goals (-125 over, +105 under).
Winnipeg is 51-30 straight up (SU) and has netted 15.9 units for moneyline bettors this year. That winning percentage, ranked third in the NHL in this young season, is a welcome improvement over the 40-42 record from last year’s regular season campaign. Through 81 regular season contests, 41 of its games have gone over the total, while 38 have gone under and just two have pushed. The team’s 31-9 SU at home this season.
The Jets have converted on 23.4 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 ninth overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 81.7 percent of all penalties.
The Jets, as a collective unit, have been penalized 3.9 times per game overall this season, and 4.8 per game over their last five outings. The team’s had to defend opposition power plays for just 7.8 minutes per contest over their last five home games.
Averaging 28.2 saves per game with a .923 save percentage, Connor Hellebuyck (43-23-9) has been the best option in goal for the Jets this year. If Winnipeg decides to give him a rest, however, the team may go with Steve Mason (5-8-8 record, .906 save percentage, 3.24 goals against average).
The Jets will continue to look for leadership from Blake Wheeler and Patrik Laine. Wheeler (90 points) has produced 23 goals and 67 assists and has recorded two or more points on 25 different occasions this year. Laine has 44 goals and 25 assists to his name and has notched at least one point in 50 contests.
On the other side of the rink, Chicago is 33-48 straight up (SU) and has lost 17.9 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 81 regular season matches, 39 of its games have gone under the total, while 37 have gone over and just four have pushed. The Blackhawks are 15-25 SU as an away team this season.
The Blackhawks have converted on just 16.1 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that’s ranked 29th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 20th overall and it’s successfully defended 78.9 percent of all opponent power plays.
Chicago’s skaters have been penalized only 3.3 times per game in total this season, and 2.6 per game over their last ten match ups. The team has had to kill penalties just 5.5 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Anton Forsberg (23.9 saves per game) has been the primary choice in goal for Chicago. Forsberg has 11 wins, 24 losses, and four overtime losses to his credit, while registering a .908 save percentage and 2.97 goals against average this year.
Patrick Kane (27 goals, 48 assists) has been one of the top facilitators on offense for the visiting Blackhawks.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Winnipeg Jets Betting Predictions
NHL Tip: SU Winner – Jets, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Trends
Over Chicago’s last ten games, seven of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 2-5 in those games).
Power plays and penalty kills may prove to be key tonight. The Blackhawks are 24-19 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 25-33 when they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Jets are 22-10 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 33-19 when they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.
Two of Winnipeg’s last ten games have gone to a shootout. The team is 2-0 in those games and 4-2 overall in shootouts this year.
Winnipeg might have an advantage if it’s a tight one late. The team’s 22-14 in games decided by one goal, while Chicago is just 11-18 in such games.
The over has hit in three of Winnipeg’s last five games.
Winnipeg is averaging 3.4 goals per game across its four-game winning streak.
Winnipeg has averaged 10.2 giveaways per game (ranked 22nd in the NHL).
Chicago has averaged 5.8 giveaways over its last five home games, an improvement from its season average of 8.5 giveaways per game (ranked 12th in the league).
The Jets this season have registered the 12th-most hits in the league (22.5 per game).
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