Nashville Predators vs. Winnipeg Jets: NHL Odds, Prediction
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David Bastl
On Friday night the Jets became the fifth NHL team to reach 100 points on the season. Tonight they face the team that is currently leading the way with 106 points, and the division – the Nashville Predators.
Predators vs Jets Betting Analysis
This will be the fifth and final regular season match-up of the season between the top two teams in the Central division. So far, the Predators have won three out of the last four games, including the last two games. Overall, the Preds are 7-3 in their last ten games against the Jets, but the home team in this head-to-head series is 6-2 in the last eight meetings. Also, of note the over is 7-3-1 in the last 11 meetings.
Nashville Predators
This will be game two of back-to-back games for the Predators. Saturday night in Minnesota the club battled the Wild, but fell to them losing 4-1. That’s two straight losses for the Preds entering Sunday’s game with the Jets. Top to bottom this is the most complete NHL team. The Predators have 12 players with double digit goals, a lot of scoring from the backend, and perhaps the Vezina trophy favourite in Pekka Rinne. Rinne however is likely to get a night off vs. Jets as he got the start Saturday against the Wild, so expect back-up Juuse Saros to make his 20th start of the season vs. the Jets.
The only possible weakness on the team is the power-play currently ranked 13th in the league, but struggling as of late. In the last nine games, the Predators are 1 for 27 with the main advantage.
Winnipeg Jets
Patrik Laine’s hot month of March must be rubbing off on some of his teammates, check out exhibit A – Kyle Connor. Connor has been brilliant as of late, scoring six goals in his last five games, including back-to-back overtime winners. The 21 year old now has 28 goals on the season, second overall in rookie goal scoring. The Jets are now 4-0 on his current home stand (28-7-2 overall at home), coming off a 3-2 overtime win over the Anaheim Ducks to hit the magical 100 point plateau for the first time in franchise history.
Connor Hellebuyck will likely get the start in goal for the Jets, as he continues to build off of his franchise leading win total that currently stands at 38 on the season. Of note, the Jets lost another defenceman Friday as Toby Enstrom left the game with a lower-body injury. He likely won’t play Sunday evening. He joins Jacob Trouba (concussion) and Dmitry Kulikov (back) already on the sidelines.
