The United Center plays host to a divisional tilt as the Chicago Blackhawks welcome the visiting Winnipeg Jets. This one will get underway at 8:30 p.m. ET on Friday, January 12 and it is being shown live on NBC Sports Chicago.
Winnipeg Jets at Chicago Blackhawks Odds
The money line for each side is currently set at an identical -110 and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals. The line for betting that total stands at -110 for the over and -110 for the under.
Winnipeg is 26-18 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 7.3 units this season. 23 of its games have gone over the total, while 19 have gone under and just two have pushed. The Jets are 10-14 SU on the road in 2017-18.
Winnipeg currently touts the second-best power-play unit in the NHL, as it’s found the net on 25.8 percent of its extra-man chances this season. Its penalty kill is ranked 16th in the league, and the team’s successfully killed off 81.2 percent of its penalties.
The Jets, as a collective unit, have been whistled for penalties 4.0 times per game this season, and 2.6 per game over its last five on the road. The team’s had to kill penalties just 6.7 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 27.5 saves per game with a .923 save percentage, Connor Hellebuyck (23-12-6) has been the top option in goal for Winnipeg this season. If head coach Paul Maurice decides to rest him, however, the team could roll with Steve Mason (3-8-1 record, .897 save percentage, 3.52 goals against average).
Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele will both look to continue their strong seasons for the visiting Jets. Wheeler (52 points) has tallied 14 goals and 38 assists, and has recorded multiple points 14 times. Scheifele has 15 goals and 23 assists to his creditand has notched at least one point in 21 games.
On the other side of the ice, Chicago is 21-22 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.9 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 43 regular season matches, 22 of its games have gone under the total, while 19 have gone over and just two have pushed. The team is 11-9 SU at home this year.
The Blackhawks have converted on just 16.1 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that places them in the bottom 10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 13th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 81.8 percent of all opponent power plays.
Chicago skaters have been penalized only 3.7 times per game in total this season, and 2.8 per game over their last five at home. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays just 8.7 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Corey Crawford (27.9 saves per game) has been the top option in goal for the Blackhawks. Crawford has 16 wins, 12 losses, and two OT losses to his credit and has maintained a .929 save percentage and 2.27 goals against average this year.
The Hawks offense will be led by Patrick Kane (18 goals, 27 assists).
Winnipeg Jets at Chicago Blackhawks Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Blackhawks, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Trends
The total has gone over in three of Chicago’s last five games.
Six of Winnipeg’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 5-1 in those games.
