The Winnipeg Jets’ run to the Stanley Cup final was cut short a year ago by the upstart Vegas Golden Knights, and the Jets will get their first look at the Knights since their five-game series in the Western Conference final last spring. Sportsbooks opened the Jets as -150 home favorites with a total of 5.5.
Golden Knights vs Jets Game Center
Fleury continues to pave the way for the Golden Knights
The Jets are looking to complete a perfect three-game homestand and remain atop the Central Division with a win tonight. Winnipeg has been short-handed on the blue line since Dustin Byfuglien was sidelined on December 29, but Tyler Myers is in line to practice today and could return tonight. Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck allowed 12 goals in three regular-season meetings with Vegas a year ago.
The Golden Knights erased a pair of two-goal deficits in a 4-3 overtime triumph over the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday to improve to 8-1-0 in their past nine games. Vegas has been getting excellent goaltending from Marc-Andre Fleury, who has only one regulation defeat in his last 14 starts (10-1-3). William Karlsson has been held without a point in the last seven games but had three goals in three meetings with the Jets last season.
Jets, Knights are trending UNDER
When the Golden Knights and Jets get together, low-scoring affairs tend to follow. In the past four meetings between the clubs, the UNDER is 3-1 with an average of 4.5 goals. The UNDER has also paid out in four of Vegas’ last five with a closing total of six goals or less. On the season, the Golden Knights have an OVER/UNDER record of 21-24, while the Jets come in at 21-18 O/U.
Betting the Jets as puckline favorites has been a poor idea of late, as Winnipeg enters tonight’s game having gone 3-8 as puckline chalk in its past 11 contests. The Jets’ -1.5 number is available for a price of +215 at Sportsbook if you think they can buck that trend.
My pick: take the Golden Knights on the moneyline
It’s hard to bet against the Jets at home, but there’s no denying the Golden Knights have had their number since entering the league in the 2017-18 campaign. Vegas is playing lights-out hockey right now and has completely rebounded after a rocky start to the season. I think this one is going to be close from start to finish but the Golden Knights should pull out a win in Manitoba.