Two clubs squaring off for the third time this year, the Chicago Blackhawks and the Winnipeg Jets collide at Bell MTS Place in a divisional tilt. The opening face-off takes place at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 15, and it can be seen live on NBC Sports Chicago.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Winnipeg Jets Odds
With a -185 moneyline, Winnipeg enters the contest as the substantial favorite. The line for Chicago sits at +160 and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-105 for the over, -115 for the under).
Netting moneyline bettors 7.7 units, Winnipeg is 41-29 straight up (SU) overall in the 2017-18 season. That winning percentage, ranked fifth in the NHL in this young season, is a welcome improvement over the 40-42 record from the 2016-17 season campaign. Of the team’s 70 games this season, 34 have gone over the total, while an additional 34 have gone under and just two have pushed. This season, the team is 24-9 SU at home.
The Jets come into the matchup with the third-best power-play unit in the NHL, as they have scored on 24.2 percent of their extra-man opportunities this season. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked fourth overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 83.0 percent of all penalties.
The Jets, as a collective unit, have been called for penalties 3.9 times per game overall this season, 3.8 per game over their past five outings total, and 4.2 per game over their last five home outings. The team’s had to defend opposition power plays for just 7.5 minutes per game over their last 10 matchups, in total.
Averaging 28.3 saves per game with a .925 save percentage, Connor Hellebuyck (35-23-9) has been the primary goalkeeper for the Jets this year. If head coach Paul Maurice decides to give him the evening off, however, Winnipeg might turn to Steve Mason (4-8-8 record, .906 save percentage, 3.18 goals against average).
The Jets will continue seeking leadership via Blake Wheeler and Patrik Laine. Wheeler (77 points) has tallied 18 goals and 59 assists and has recorded two or more points 21 times this year. Laine has 41 goals and 24 assists to his credit and has recorded a point in 46 games.
On the other side of the rink, Chicago is 30-40 straight up (SU) and has lost 14.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. Through 70 regular season outings, 37 of its games have gone under the total, while 30 have gone over and just three have pushed. The Blackhawks are 13-22 SU as the away team this season.
The Blackhawks have converted on just 16.0 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that’s ranked 28th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 16th overall and it’s successfully killed off 80.0 percent of all penalties.
Chicago’s players have been penalized only 3.4 times per game in total this season, and 2.1 per game over their past ten match ups. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays just 5.0 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Corey Crawford (27.9 saves per game) has been the main option in the net for Chicago. Crawford has 16 wins, 12 losses, and two OT losses to his credit, while registering a .929 save percentage and 2.27 goals against average this year.
Patrick Kane (25 goals, 41 assists) has been one of the primary offensive playmakers for the visiting Blackhawks.
Chicago Blackhawks at Winnipeg Jets Free Picks
Free Pick: SU Winner – Jets, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes
Chicago is 1-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Winnipeg is 2-2 in shootouts.
The total has gone under in each of Winnipeg’s last five outings.
Winnipeg has averaged 3.3 goals per game (overall) this year, but has been averaging 1.3 goals per contest on its three-game losing streak.
Over Winnipeg’s last ten outings, four of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 3-1 in those games).
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