Winnipeg Jets vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction, NHL Odds
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David Bastl
This Saturday afternoon’s clash between the Jets and Lightning could set the tone in what promises to be a solid night of hockey.
Both of these teams have played well as of late, and would like to continue that trend.
Jets vs. Lightning Betting Analysis
These two teams split the regular season series last year, each winning on home ice.
The Lighting enter this game with the Jets on a three-game winning streak, outscoring their opposition 17-8. They are 0-4 against the spread in their last four games against the Central division and 1-4 in their last five Saturday games.
The Jets have struggled in Tampa Bay going 5-12 in their last 17 games. However, they are 5-1 in their last six road games, and 4-1 in their last five Saturday games.
Of note, the home team in this head-to-head series is 4-0 in the last four games, and the over is 5-2-1 in the last eight games played.
Winnipeg Jets
The Jets skated past the Panthers 4-3 on Thursday night. They hope to do the same thing Saturday as they stay in the state of Florida, and now onto a game with the Lightning.
Mark Scheifele (one goal, two assists) and Patrik Laine (three assists) both had three point nights in the win. Nik Ehlers netted his eighth goal of the season and is tied with Scheifele for the team lead in that department.
Connor Hellebuyck got the night off as Laurent Brossoit picked up the win kicking out 34-of-37 shots. Hellebuyck will return to the goal for this game. In his last start, he was beaten 4-0 by the Colorado Avalanche on home ice.
The Jets are now 5-1-1 in their last six games, following a 2-5 stretch.
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lightning showed no signs of jet lag as they throttled the Rangers 9-3 on Thursday night. It was the team’s first game back on North American soil since sweeping the Buffalo Sabres in a two-game NHL Global Series in Sweden.
The Bolts jumped all over the Rangers scoring four goals in the first period, and four in the second. They also outshot the Blueshirts 45-23. Nikita Kucherov led the team in their biggest win of the season registering four points (one goal, three assists). It was his best individual effort of the season since his last four-point night back on October 10 against the Maple Leafs. Kucherov has 17 points in 16 games but is far behind the pace of last season when he won the Art Ross Trophy while recording 128 points.
WIN
TB