In a game that features a couple of the league’s top penalty-kill units, the Los Angeles Kings and the Winnipeg Jets collide at Bell MTS Place in a Western Conference matchup. The match will get underway at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 20, and it is being televised live on Fox Sports West.
Los Angeles Kings at Winnipeg Jets Odds
Winnipeg is 43-29 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 9.7 units this season. That winning percentage, ranked fifth in the league in this young season, is a welcome improvement over the 40-42 record from the 2016-17 season campaign. Through 72 regular season contests, 36 of its games have gone over the total, while 34 have gone under and just two have pushed. This season, the team is 26-9 SU at home.
The Jets currently have the third-strongest power-play unit in the NHL, as they have converted on 23.8 percent of their extra-man advantages this year. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated sixth overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 83.0 percent of all penalties.
As a team, the Jets have been penalized 3.8 times per game overall this season, and 3.0 per game over their last five at home. The team has been forced to defend opposition power plays for just 6.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings, in total.
Averaging 28.3 saves per game with a .925 save percentage, Connor Hellebuyck (37-23-9) has been the primary option in goal for the Jets this season. If Winnipeg chooses to give him a rest, however, head coach Paul Maurice might roll with Steve Mason (4-8-8 record, .906 save percentage, 3.18 goals against average).
Blake Wheeler and Patrik Laine will both lead the way for the Jets. Wheeler (80 points) has put up 19 goals and 61 assists and has recorded multiple points 21 times this year. Laine has 43 goals and 25 assists to his name and has recorded at least one point in 48 games.
On the other side of the rink, Los Angeles is 40-33 straight up (SU) and has earned 1.3 units for moneyline bettors this season. Through 73 regular season outings, 37 of its games have gone under the total, while 32 have gone over and just three have pushed. The Kings are 21-16 SU as the away team this season.
The Kings have converted on 20.0 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 second overall and it’s successfully killed off 84.2 percent of all opponent power plays.
Los Angeles’ skaters have been penalized 4.0 times per game this season, and 2.6 per game over their last five on the road. The team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 6.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jonathan Quick (27.2 saves per game) has been the main option in the net for Los Angeles. Quick has 29 wins, 28 losses, and two OT losses to his credit, and has registered a .921 save percentage and 2.43 goals against average this year.
For the visiting Kings, the offense will be coordinated by Anze Kopitar, who’s got 52 assists and 29 goals this season.
Los Angeles Kings at Winnipeg Jets Betting Predictions
Pick: SU Winner – Jets, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
Four of Winnipeg’s last ten contests have been decided by two or more goals, and the team is 3-1 overall in those games.
Extra-man opportunities could play a key role in the outcome of this matchup. The Kings are 15-11 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 27-17 when they serve fewer than 10 penalty minutes, in total. The Jets are 20-10 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 29-18 when total penalty minutes are in the single digits.
Winnipeg is 2-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while Los Angeles is 2-1 in shootouts.
The total has gone under in three of Winnipeg’s last five games.
Winnipeg has averaged 17.0 giveaways over its last five home games, a rise over its season average of 10.3 giveaways per game (ranked 22nd in the league).
Los Angeles skaters have averaged 9.0 giveaways over its last five home games, an improvement from its season average of 10.2 giveaways per game (ranked 22nd in the NHL).
Los Angeles skaters have dished out the third-most hits in the league (25.7 per game).
—–
