Despite being shut out in their last game on Thursday, the Winnipeg Jets open as a -170 favorite vs the undefeated Carolina Hurricanes. Yes, you read that correctly. Carolina has not lost in regulation in five outings and is perfect in its last four, including a 5-4 OT win in Minnesota last night, and can be had on the moneyline for +150.
- Carolina is 15-8 SU in its last 23 games when playing on the road against Winnipeg.
- Winnipeg’s penalty kill is tied for 7th at 85%.
- The Hurricanes lead the league in shots on goal per game at 42.2.
Hurricanes vs Jets Game Center
Hurricanes Are Firing Everything at the Net
Rod Brind’Amour took 3,290 shots on goal in NHL career and he’s trying to get his team to outdo that number. The Hurricanes lead the NHL with 42.2 shots per game, over 200 through their first five contests.
It’s no surprise, then, that they’re among the league’s leaders in goals per game – tied for third with 4.40. They are tied for second in total goals with 22. Sebastien Aho and Jordan Staal are tied for the team lead with four goals each.
Offensive Success Hasn’t Cost Carolina Defensively
Usually, when teams have a high flying offense they leave themselves susceptible to damage at the other end of the rink (see: Toronto Maple Leafs). Not the case with the Hurricanes so far this season as they’re the third best team in the league when it comes to shots against per game at 24.8.
Jets Penalty Kill Among League’s Best
Paul Maurice’s club comes into today’s game with a penalty kill that has been efficient through the first four games at 85%. Interestingly, with the number of shots Carolina has taken, their power play is just over 10% and is ranked 26th in the league. The Jets are 18th at 20%.
My Pick for Today’s Game
+150 on the moneyline for an undefeated team is too good to pass up. Even though Petr Mrazek is likely to start on the second half of the back-to-back, he was the Canes’ starting goalie coming out of camp and should up his game after being pushed by Curtis McElhinney
