In their fourth head-to-head meeting of the regular season, the Winnipeg Jets and the Chicago Blackhawks collide at the United Center for a Central Division matchup. The first puck will drop at 8:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 29, and you’ll be able to watch it live on NBC Sports Chicago.
Winnipeg Jets vs. Chicago Blackhawks Odds
Winnipeg (+150) is playing the role of underdog to Winnipeg (-170) and the oddsmakers have put the Over/Under (O/U) at an even 6 goals. The odds for betting the total stand at -115 money on the over and -105 for the under.
Winnipeg is 47-29 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 13.7 units this year. Through 76 regular season matches, 38 of its games have gone over the total, while 36 have gone under and just two have pushed. This 2017-18 Jets team is 17-20 SU on the road.
Winnipeg has converted on 23.4 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that places them in the top-5 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 11th overall, and it has successfully killed off 82.0 percent of all penalties.
For the team as a whole, Winnipeg has been whistled for penalties 3.8 times per game overall this season, 3.6 per game over its last five total, and 3.8 per game over its last five games as the visiting team. The team’s been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 7.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 28.1 saves per game with a .923 save percentage, Connor Hellebuyck (40-23-9) has been the primary option in goal for Winnipeg this year. If it chooses to rest him, however, the team may turn to Steve Mason (4-8-1 record, .906 save percentage, 3.18 goals against average).
Blake Wheeler and Patrik Laine will both spearhead the attack for the visiting Jets. Wheeler (86 points) has tallied 20 goals and 66 assists, and has recorded two or more points in 24 different games. Laine has 43 goals and 25 assists to his credit (and has notched at least one point in 49 games).
Chicago is 31-46 straight up (SU) and has lost 20.6 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 77 regular season outings, 38 of its games have gone under the total, while 35 have gone over and just four have pushed. It’s 17-22 SU as the home team this season.
Chicago has converted on just 16.0 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that places it in the bottom overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 20th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 79.6 percent of all opponent power plays.
Chicago players have been sent to the penalty box only 3.4 times per game in total this season, and 2.4 per game over their last five at home. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 6.8 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 and has recorded a fairly-weak .908 save percentage and 2.97 goals against average this year.
The home team offense will be led by Patrick Kane (26 goals, 46 assists).
Winnipeg Jets vs. Chicago Blackhawks Betting Predictions
Pick: SU Winner – Blackhawks, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
The total has gone over in three of Chicago’s last five games.
Winnipeg has managed 29.4 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Chicago is averaging 37.2 shots per game over its last five at home.
The Jets are 21-10 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 31-18 in games where they’re in the penalty box for fewer than 10 minutes, total.
Two of Winnipeg’s last ten games have ended in a shootout. The team is 2-0 in those games and 4-2 overall in shootouts this season.
Chicago has managed 8.6 takeaways per game over its last five home games, an improvement over its season average of 7.3 takeaways per game (ranked 15th in the NHL).
Winnipeg has given up just 4.2 goals per game (while scoring 2.5 per contest) in their last six games (the team’s a perfect 6-0 SU during that span)
Winnipeg has created 6.8 takeaways per game over its last five road games, its season average of 7.1 takeaways per game (ranked 16th in the NHL).
Winnipeg might hold the upper hand if it’s a tight one late. The team’s 19-14 in games decided by one goal, while Chicago is only 10-18 in such games.
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