Boston Bruins vs. Winnipeg Jets Prediction, NHL Odds
The Bruins and Jets have trended in opposite directions lately. Boston enters this game in solid form, sitting in second place in the Atlantic division and seeking their fourth consecutive win. The story is a bit different for Winnipeg.
After a solid first month of the season, the Jets have spiralled. The downward trend was amplified with the injury to goaltender, and arguably Winnipeg’s most important player, Connor Hellebuyck. Winnipeg has its hands full to get back on track tonight.
The Jets are -145 favourites to win on the NHL odds, with the total set at 6.0.
Bruins vs. Jets NHL Betting Odds
During the Bruins’ current three-game winning streak, they have outscored opponents by a combined 14-5. With that, Boston now has 14 wins in their last 20 games. The wins in the past week came against the Blues twice and the Devils. St. Louis has struggled all season and New Jersey has been spiralling, too. Boston is getting the job done against struggling teams, and Winnipeg is another struggling team.
The Jets started the season 9-3-0, but have since gone 5-11-1. Winnipeg has just two wins in its last 10 games. Coincidentally, or not, Hellebuyck was injured 10 games ago. In that span, Winnipeg has allowed at least four goals in six games, and its losses have been by an average of 2.38 goals. Right now, the Jets are losing big.
Boston Bruins
Despite injuries to a few key players, Bruins first-year head coach Marco Sturm has his team clicking and playing very structured, sound hockey. On the ice, Boston’s MVP at this point in the season is Morgan Geekie. They’re playing great up and down the lineup, but Geekie has been a huge catalyst all season.
Through 31 games, Geekie leads Bruins with 22 goals scored, which also happens to be second-most in the NHL. His 32 points are also tied for most on the team. In Boston’s last five games, Geekie has four goals and eight points. The Bruins have also had great performances from goaltenders Jeremy Swayman and Joonas Korpisalo during that span. This team makes a tough matchup for any opponent right now.
Winnipeg Jets
Despite the tough stretch, the Jets have had strong performances. In Winnipeg’s last five games, Gabriel Vilardi has two goals and five points, Mark Scheifele has three goals and seven points, and Kyle Connor has three goals and eight points. Those players have a combined 44 goals and 101 points in 87 games played. If the Jets are going to turn things around, their role players need to provide these guys with more support.
For all intents and purposes, this team goes as Connor Hellebuyck goes. Despite offensive prowess, if they don’t have Hellebuyck, they cannot be as successful – as evidenced by the last 10 games. Knowing they have the horses offensively to stay in a game, look for the Jets to really emphasize the defensive side of the puck while the backup goalie tandem tries to hold things together.
NHL Prediction: Who Will Win Bruins vs. Jets?
The Jets are a tough click at -150 when they are arguably the worse team and inarguably in worse form. The Bruins are a difficult fade against a struggling team. Their +125 only provides more appeal and far better value.
Until or unless Winnipeg turns things around, or until Hellebuyck returns, the Jets are not a reliable play. They’ve been getting beat by good teams, bad teams, at home, on the road, as favourites, and as underdogs. Boston has a good chance to collect another two points against a struggling team with a 4-3 win.
BOS
WIN