Winnipeg Jets vs. Calgary Flames Prediction, NHL Odds
The reeling Winnipeg Jets are in Cowtown on Wednesday night to face the Calgary Flames. Once a threat to win the North Division, Winnipeg has dropped seven straight games and they now sit tied with Montreal for third in the division. Calgary is 10 points back of the final playoff spot and while the Flames can still technically make the playoffs, it would take a lot of things going bad for Montreal or Winnipeg and a lot going right for Calgary.
The Flames are -124 favourites to win on the NHL odds with a total of 5.5.
Jets vs. Flames Betting Analysis
This will be the ninth and final meetings between Calgary and Winnipeg this season. The Jets have had the best of the Flames, picking up wins in five of eight games this year, including a 5-1 win on March 29, the last time these teams met.
The wheels have completely fallen off during Winnipeg’s seven-game losing streak. One encouraging trend though, is they’ve managed to win eight of their last 12 road games. They’ve also been a good cover option, going 32-19 against the spread overall, although it’s worth noting they’re 1-9 ATS in their last 10 games.
As Calgary clings to their faint playoff hopes, they’ll essentially need to win out, which means they need to be better at home. Four of the Flames’ final six regular season games are in Calgary, where they’ve only managed a 12-11-1 record this year. They’re 23-27 ATS and have covered in 11 of 24 home games. The total has gone Under in seven of Calgary’s last 10 games overall.
Winnipeg Jets
The question for this game is, what is going on in Winnipeg? For most of the year the two best teams in the North have been the Jets and the Leafs. Seven straight losses have ended any shot of Winnipeg winning the the division and while it’s unlikely they’ll fall out of the playoff picture, they still haven’t officially clinched a spot. The Jets found yet another way to lose on Monday, giving up the winning goal with less than two minutes to play, in a 2-1 loss to Ottawa. Josh Morrissey’s fourth goal of the year tied the game in the third period for Winnipeg, before Laurent Brossoit allowed the wining goal with 1:13 to play in regulation. Brossoit stopped 16 of 18 shots.
Connor Hellebuyck is expected to get the start on Wednesday. The Jets’ No. 1 goalie is 21-16-3 on the year with a 2.72 goals-against average and .912 save percentage. Hellebuyck has struggled lately, losing his last six starts, although he has won four of his six starts against Calgary this year.
Calgary Flames
Sitting 10 points behind Montreal and Winnipeg in the standings, the Flames have a lot of ground to make up if they want a shot at the playoffs. A 4-1 loss to Edmonton on Saturday dealt a pretty big blow to Calgary’s playoff chances. The loss looked worse on paper though, as the Oilers’ last two goals were empty-netters. Johnny Gaudreau’s team-leading 18th goal of the season was the only marker for the Flames.
Jacob Markstrom made 25 saves in Saturday’s loss. For the year he is 18-18-2 with a 2.67 GAA and .906 SV. Markstrom has been a workhorse all year, but has played even more since David Rittich was dealt to Toronto at the trade deadline. The Flames’ No. 1 goalie has started 11 straight games and played in every Calgary game since April 5. Markstrom has two wins in six starts against Winnipeg this season.
WIN
CAL