Winnipeg Jets vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction, NHL Odds
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Edgar Chaput
In what might prove to be a slight advantage for the home side, the Penguins have had two days to absorb their wild comeback against the Canucks.
The oddsmakers of set the Penguins as -1.5 favourites (+118 on the puck line) on said NHL odds, whereas the over-under sits at 6.5.
Jets vs. Penguins NHL Betting Odds
The Pennsylvanian-based squad has taken care of business against Winnipeg with impressive regularity. Pittsburgh has skated away as victors from the four most recent encounters. Moreover, Winnipeg’s attack has been mostly nullified during that span, with only five total goals to show for their efforts. Three of those games were played on the Jets’ home ice, so maybe a different venue will improve the Manitoban club’s fortunes.
Perpetually two points out of first place in the Central Division, Winnipeg is nevertheless having a strong season. As far as points are concerned, the Jets are good for fourth in the West. This is reflected in their good fortune ATS with a shiny 27-15 record. Said tally has been given a boost lately, with Winnipeg successfully covering in six of their last seven games. Moreover, they’re 5-2 ATS in the last seven away dates.
The two-game winning streak Pittsburgh is benefiting from assists in their climb of the standings but hasn’t dispelled misgivings when considering the puck line. A 17-23 showing is still disappointing, to say nothing that the victory over the Canucks was insufficient for them to cover anyways. The ensemble has played mostly good hockey at home (11-4-4), albeit not as of late, the Vancouver tilt stopping a three-game losing streak.
Winnipeg Jets
Winning is always fun but more importantly, Thursday’s 4-2 success over the Sabres halted an alarming two-game streak during which the team coughed up 11 goals. This much sounder defensive and goaltending effort came against the NHL’s top-scoring squad (Buffalo nets 3.83 goals per outing). Winnipeg also kept their rivals off the scoresheet when a down a man, killing off five penalties.
In fairness to the losing side, the Sabres pressed a lot, firing 41 times at Connor Hellebuyck. The latter was extremely busy and more than once had to make heroic saves to keep it close. Should anyone be surprised that Kyle Connor netted the game-winner in the third period? Nikolaj Ehlers pass came off a turnover, sending Connor on a breakaway. The forward swiftly out-deked Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen whilst in full stride for a beautiful goal.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Sidney Crosby and company took to the ice in front of their adoring fans for the first time this calendar year on Tuesday to tussle with the Canucks. Thankfully for the hosts, the visitors performed an all too familiar act.
With less than 10 minutes played, the B.C. squad had claimed a 3-0 lead and chased Pittsburgh netminder Casey DeSmith. As if on cue, the score was tied 3-3 before the first period ended, with stalwarts Crosby (21st) and Evgeni Malkin (13th) doing their part to aid the comeback cause. Malkin netted the go-ahead marker in the second off a delicious pass from Jason Zucker on the counterattack. Rickard Rakell contributed in a unique fashion: he inadvertently blocked a teammate’s power play shot, and with the Canucks goalie already down, slotted the puck into a glorious empty net. Pittsburgh held the fort, winning 5-4.
The Pens are impressively disciplined. Not only are they the fourth-least penalized team in the NHL, but also sport the third-best penalty kill.
WIN
PIT