Winnipeg Jets vs. Minnesota Wild Free Preview

Daniel GimenezHockey, NHL

A couple of teams that’ve positioned themselves squarely in playoff contention, the Winnipeg Jets and the Minnesota Wild clash at the Xcel Energy Center. The Sports Network will air this divisional matchup, which gets underway at 4 p.m. ET on Friday, November 23.

Winnipeg Jets at Minnesota Wild Odds

Winnipeg (+105) is entering this one as the underdog to Minnesota (-125) and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals. The odds for betting that total stand at -110 money on the over and -110 on the under.

Earning 1.6 units for moneyline bettors, the Wild are 13-9 straight up (SU) overall this year. That winning percentage, ranked third in the Central Division so far this season, is right in line with what the team produced during last year’s regular season (45-37). Of the team’s 22 games this season, 11 have gone over the total, while 10 have gone under and just one has pushed. This season, the team’s 7-4 SU at home.

Minnesota’s converted on 23.3 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated third overall, and it’s successfully killed off 85.7 percent of all penalties.

Minnesota, as a collective unit, has been called for penalties 4.3 times per game overall this season, and 3.0 per game over its last ten contests. The team’s had to defend opponent power plays for just 6.6 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, in total.

Averaging 28.8 saves per game with a .921 save percentage, Devan Dubnyk (10-7-2) has been the most dependable goalkeeper for the Wild this season. If head coach Bruce Boudreau chooses to give him a breather, however, the team may roll with Alex Stalock (4-2-2 record, .910 save percentage, 2.54 goals against average).

The Wild will continue to rely on offensive production from Mikael Granlund and Zach Parise. Granlund (22 points) has tallied 10 goals and 12 assists and has recorded multiple points in four different games this year. Parise has nine goals and 10 assists to his credit and has notched a point in 13 contests.

Winnipeg has earned moneyline bettors 1.0 unit this year and is currently 12-8 straight up (SU). A total of 10 of its outings have gone under the total, while seven have gone over and just three have pushed. Winnipeg’s 4-4 SU as the visiting team this season.

Winnipeg currently has the second-best power-play unit in the NHL, as it’s scored on 31.7 percent of its extra-man chances in 2018-19. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 13th overall and it’s successfully killed off 80.6 percent of all penalties.

Winnipeg’s players have been whistled for penalties 4.3 times per game in total this season, and 3.4 per game over their last five outings. The team’s been forced to kill penalties just 7.4 minutes per game over their last five outings.

Connor Hellebuyck (.909 save percentage and 2.90 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Winnipeg. Hellebuyck is averaging 27.4 saves per game and has nine wins, seven losses, and one OT loss to his credit.

Blake Wheeler (three goals, 22 assists) has been one of the top playmakers on offense for the visiting Jets.

Winnipeg Jets at Minnesota Wild Betting Predictions

Pick: SU Winner – Wild, O/U – Over

Betting Trends

  • For both of these clubs, the over has hit in three of their last five outings.
  • The Jets are 4-5 SU in games where they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Wild are 8-2 SU when they spend more time in the box than the opposition.
  • Minnesota skaters have created 7.8 takeaways per game over its last five home games, an improvement over its season average of 6.9 takeaways per game (ranked 21st in the league).
  • Winnipeg has created 8.2 takeaways per game over its last five road games, an improvement over its season average of 6.9 takeaways per game (ranked 21st in the league).