A pair of teams that’ve positioned themselves squarely in the playoff hunt, the New York Islanders and the Winnipeg Jets take the ice at Bell MTS Place for an East-West showdown. The action will get started at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, December 29, and you can catch the game live on MSG Plus 2.
New York Islanders vs. Winnipeg Jets Odds
New York (+125) is entering this one as the underdog to Winnipeg (-145) and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at an even 6 goals. The line for betting the total stands at -125 for the over and +105 for the under.
The Jets are 21-17 straight up (SU) and have earned moneyline bettors 3.2 units this season. That winning percentage, the third-best in the Central Division so far this season, is a welcome improvement compared to what the team did during last years regular season (40-42). Through 38 regular season contests, 21 of the teams games have gone over the total, while 16 have gone under and just one has pushed. The teams 13-4 SU at home this season.
Winnipeg has been able to convert on 23.5 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that’s good enough for fifth-best in the league. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated 21st overall, and it’s successfully killed off 79.9 percent of all penalties.
Winnipeg, as a collective unit, has been penalized 4.1 times per game overall this season, and 2.6 per game over its last five contests home outings. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays for just 7.0 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, in total.
With a .919 save percentage and 26.8 saves per game, Connor Hellebuyck (19-11-5) has been the primary option in goal for the Jets this season. If they, however, decide to give him the night off, head coach Paul Maurice might turn to Steve Mason (2-8-8 record, .899 save percentage, 3.47 goals against average).
Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele will both look to continue their strong seasons for the Jets. Wheeler (42 points) has tallied nine goals and 33 assists and has recorded multiple points on 11 separate occasions this year. Scheifele has 15 goals and 23 assists to his name and has recorded a point in 21 games.
On the other side of the ice, New York is 20-17 straight up (SU) and has earned 1.7 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 37 regular season contests, 25 of its games have gone over the total, while 11 have gone under and just one has pushed. New York’s 8-11 SU as the visiting team this season.
New York has converted on 22.4 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 30th overall and it’s successfully killed off 74.5 percent of all opponent power plays.
New York’s players have been penalized only 3.4 times per game this season, and 2.8 per game over their past ten match ups. The teams had to stave off opponent power plays just 6.2 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jaroslav Halak (27.5 saves per game) has been the primary choice in the net for New York. Halak owns an 11-11-2 record, while registering a .908 save percentage and 2.96 goals against average this year.
John Tavares (21 goals, 27 assists) and Josh Bailey (11 goals, 37 assists) are the top point-getters for New York and will pace the offensive counter for the visiting Islanders.
New York Islanders at Winnipeg Jets Betting Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Islanders, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- Winnipeg is 1-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while New York is 2-1 in shootouts.
- The total has gone over in three of Winnipeg’s last five outings.
- New York has managed 29.0 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Winnipeg is averaging 37.2 shots per game over its last five home outings.
- Six of New York’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 2-4 in those games.
- The Jets this season have registered the 12th-most hits per game (22.1).
