Bell MTS Place is playing host a Western Conference matchup as the Winnipeg Jets take on the visiting Vancouver Canucks. It’s the third and last time that these two clubs will meet in the regular season. RSN will air the matchup, and the opening face-off takes place at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 21.
Vancouver Canucks at Winnipeg Jets Odds
Winnipeg is 27-20 straight up (SU) and has earned 5.2 units for moneyline bettors this season. That winning percentage, ranked third in the Central Division so far this season, is a welcome improvement compared to what the team managed during the 2016-17 season (40-42). Through 47 regular season matches, 23 of its games have gone over the total, while 21 have gone under and just two have pushed. This season, the team’s 16-4 SU at home.
The Jets come into the matchup with the third-best power-play unit in the NHL, as the team has found the net on 25.3 percent of their extra-man chances this year. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 15th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 81.8 percent of all penalties.
As a team, the Jets have been called for penalties 4.0 times per game overall this season, and 3.3 per game over their last ten contests. The team’s had to kill penalties for just 6.9 minutes per game over their last 10 matchups, overall.
Sporting a .924 save percentage and 27.7 saves per game, Connor Hellebuyck (24-14-6) has been the best option in goal for the Jets this season. Hellebuyck did just play last night, however, so Winnipeg may choose to give him the evening off and instead go with Steve Mason (3-8-8 record, .897 save percentage, 3.52 goals against average).
The Jets will continue relying on leadership out of Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele. Wheeler (53 points) has produced 14 goals and 39 assists and has recorded multiple points 15 times this year. Scheifele has 15 goals and 23 assists to his credit and has notched a point in 21 games.
Vancouver is 18-28 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.3 units for bettors taking the moneyline thus far. Through 46 regular season matches, 25 of its games have gone over the total, while 20 have gone under and none have pushed. The Canucks are 11-13 SU as the visiting team this season.
The Canucks have converted on 21.7 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s good enough for sixth-best in the league. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 27th overall and it’s successfully killed off 77.6 percent of all penalties.
Vancouver’s skaters have been penalized 3.8 times per game in total this season, and 2.4 per game over their last five road outings. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays just 6.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jacob Markstrom (2.76 goals against average and .908 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Vancouver. Markstrom is averaging 26.3 saves per game and owns a 12-22-5 record.
Brock Boeser (22 goals, 19 assists) will pace the attack for the visiting Canucks.
Vancouver Canucks at Winnipeg Jets Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Jets, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
Five of Winnipeg’s last ten contests have been decided by two or more goals, and the club is 4-1 overall in those games.
Power plays and penalty kills may be critical in this matchup. The Canucks are 7-8 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 12-20 when they serve fewer than 10 penalty minutes, in total. The Jets are 13-6 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 16-12 when they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.
Winnipeg is 2-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Vancouver is 0-3 in shootouts.
The total has gone under in three of Winnipeg’s last five games.
Winnipeg is ranked 16th this season with 9.6 giveaways per game. That figure has improved recently, however, as the team’s averaged 8.7 giveaways over its last 10 games and 7.2 giveaways over its last five.
Vancouver has averaged 8.8 giveaways over its last five home games, right in line with its season average of 9.0 giveaways per game (ranked 14th).
