Winnipeg Jets vs. Minnesota Wild Prediction, NHL Odds
The Wild, who sit in sixth place in the Central, will be well rested after not playing since Saturday night when they snapped their three-game losing streak.
Winnipeg is five points ahead in the division, but it is Minnesota who will be the -160 favourite to win on tonight’s NHL odds with the total set at 6.0.
Jets vs. Wild NHL Betting Odds
Last year’s season series was very high scoring, playing the over in three of the four meetings, with both teams winning their games on home ice. Minnesota’s Kirill Kaprizov did most of the damage for his team, picking up nine points (1G, 8A) in four games. Winnipeg’s Mark Scheifele scored more points versus the Wild last season than any other opponent with seven (4G, 3A).
The Jets have played incredible defensive hockey so far this season, helping them to a 3-12-2 record on the over/under. They played the Over in their most recent matchup Monday night, snapping a streak of nine straight games that played the under. They are ranked third in the NHL in goals-against, allowing just 2.4 per game. Winnipeg has played well against the spread as of late, covering in five of their past seven, bringing them to 10-7 ATS on the year.
Out of the gate, Minnesota was playing pretty bad and hit the over in six of their first eight games as they figured out how to play as a squad. Since then, they have played the over only once in the past 10 and have picked up their play significantly, bringing them to 7-11 overall against the total. They covered the spread in their last game on Saturday, snapping a four-game skid in that column. The Wild are 7-11 ATS so far this season.
Winnipeg Jets
The Winnipeg Jets have been rolling since late October, winning nine of their 12 games since Oct. 24, boosting them to second place in the Central Division.
Their most recent 4-3 overtime win over the Carolina Hurricanes was far from pretty though, as the Canes would score three goals in the last five minutes of the third to force extra time. Defenceman Josh Morrissey would be the hero for the Jets though, scoring his second of the game in OT to seal the victory for his squad. Pierre-Luc Dubois would assist on the game-winner to cap off a three-point night for himself (1G, 2A).
Morrissey is looking to have a career year this season, leading the Jets in scoring with 18 points (3G, 15A). After an off-season surrounded by trade rumours, Dubois is off to an amazing start as well. Connor Hellebuyck will be back in the net versus the Wild after being given the night off versus Carolina. Hellebuyck has been one of the best goalies in the league this season, sitting in the top two in save percentage (.925) and goals against average (2.07) while posting an 8-4-1 record.
Minnesota Wild
The Wild got back in the win column Saturday night, with a 2-1 overtime victory to upset the Carolina Hurricanes, snapping a three-game skid.
It was defenceman Alex Goligoski, who scored the overtime winner for Minnesota picking up his first goal and point of the season. Sam Steel would pick up an assist on the goal for his second point of the night after scoring his third of the season late in the third to tie the game. Filip Gustavsson got his second straight start since Marc-Andre Fleury hit the injured reserve with an upper-body injury. The 24-year-old netminder stopped 20 of 21 shots for his second win of the season, bumping his record up to 2-4-1.
After tearing up the Jets last season, Kaprizov will look to continue his six-game point streak (2G, 5A) and stretch his team lead in points (20). Minnesota gets the majority of their offence from him and Mats Zuccarello (6G, 11A), who are now joined by Sam Steel on the top line.
The Wild could really use some secondary scoring and the return of winger Jordan Greenway would help them in that regard. The 6-foot-6 winger was expected to return versus the Hurricanes on Saturday and he is listed as a game-time decision against the Jets. He would likely join the team’s second line when he is ready to return.
WIN
MIN