Bell MTS Place plays host to a Western Conference clash as the Winnipeg Jets face off against the visiting Los Angeles Kings. The first puck will drop at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, February 20, and you’ll be able to catch it live on Fox Sports West.
Los Angeles Kings vs. Winnipeg Jets Odds
Los Angeles (+155) is playing the role of underdog to Winnipeg (-175) and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals (-120 for the over, +100 for the under).
Winnipeg is 35-24 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 8.1 units this season. That winning percentage, ranked fifth in the NHL so far in this young season, is a welcome improvement compared to how the team performed during the 2016-17 season (40-42). Through 59 regular season outings, 30 of its games have gone over the total, while 27 have gone under and just two have pushed. This year, the team’s 23-7 SU at home.
The Jets come into the matchup with the third-best power-play unit in the NHL, as the team has found the net on 24.0 percent of their extra-man advantages this year. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked seventh overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 82.7 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, the Jets have been penalized 3.9 times per game overall this season, 4.2 per game over their past five games total, and 4.2 per game over their last five home outings. The team’s had to kill penalties for 8.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings, overall.
With a .923 save percentage and 27.5 saves per game, Connor Hellebuyck (31-18-8) has been the top goalkeeper for the Jets this season. If the Jets, however, decide to rest him, head coach Paul Maurice could turn to Steve Mason (3-8-8 record, .897 save percentage, 3.52 goals against average).
The Jets will continue relying on offensive production via Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele. Wheeler (67 points) has tallied 16 goals and 51 assists and has recorded multiple points on 18 separate occasions this year. Scheifele has 18 goals and 28 assists to his credit and has notched at least one point in 25 games.
Los Angeles is 32-27 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 1.1 units this season. Through 59 regular season matches, 29 of its games have gone under the total, while 26 have gone over and just three have pushed. The Kings are 18-15 SU as the visiting team this season.
The Kings have converted on 19.6 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked third overall and it’s successfully killed off 83.5 percent of all penalties.
Los Angeles’ players have been called for penalties 4.1 times per game in total this season, 3.6 per game over their past five match ups total, and 3.6 per game over their last five on the road. The team’s been forced to stave off opponent power plays 9.4 minutes per contest over their last five road games.
Jonathan Quick (2.48 goals against average and .921 save percentage) has been the main option in goal for Los Angeles. Quick is averaging 27.4 saves per game and has 23 wins, 23 losses, and two overtime losses to his credit.
Anze Kopitar (25 goals, 38 assists) has been one of the top playmaking threats for the visiting Kings.
Los Angeles Kings vs. Winnipeg Jets Betting Picks
NHL Tip: SU Winner – Jets, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- Over Winnipeg’s last ten outings, six of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 4-2 in those games).
- Power plays and penalty kills may be even more critical than usual tonight. The Kings are 11-7 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 20-12 when they’re in the box for fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Jets are 16-8 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 22-15 in games where their penalty minutes are in the single digits.
- Los Angeles is 2-0 in games decided by a shootout this season while Winnipeg is 2-2 in shootouts.
- Winnipeg could have an advantage if this one comes down to the wire. The team’s 12-10 in games decided by one goal, while Los Angeles is 10-14 in such games.
- The total has gone over in four of Winnipeg’s last five outings.
- Winnipeg has scored 3.3 goals per game overall this season, but has raised that figure up to 5.7 per matchup across its three-game winning streak.
- Winnipeg is ranked 22nd this season with 10.2 giveaways per game. That figure has regressed lately, as it’s averaged 13.4 giveaways over its last 10 games and 12.2 giveaways over its last five.
- Los Angeles skaters have averaged 10.2 giveaways per game (ranked 23rd in the league).
- Los Angeles skaters have accounted for the league’s third-most hits per game (25.4).
