Playing on home ice didn’t play much of a role for the Winnipeg Jets in their second-round series but vs the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference final, it may prove to be the difference. The Jets get set to host the Knights in Game 2 tonight after dominating Game 1 in their barn where they’ve been victorious in 14 of their last 16 games. Winnipeg opened as a -145 favorite to blast off to a 2-0 series lead.
SHARK BITES
The Jets are 13-5 SU in their last 18 games with one day off between games.
Vegas is 4-2 ATS in its last six games on the road.
The visiting team is 1-3 SU and ATS in the last four games in this matchup.
If Game 1 is any indication of how these teams match up, it may be a quick series. Winnipeg built a three-goal lead early in the first period and never looked back. Forward Mark Scheifele has been dominant in the postseason with 12 goals (leads playoffs) including the marker that put the Jets up 4-1 in Game 1. But while scoring seems to be second nature for Winnipeg, it was its defense that was superb as the Jets only allowed 21 shots from the Knights while forcing 10 turnovers.
Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck has been a reliable cog in the Winnipeg machine, allowing only two goals on 21 shots in Game 1, and has a 2.23 goals-against average and .905 save percentage in the postseason. With the Jets winning 20 of their last 25 games, it would be completely understandable for bettors to wager on a Winnipeg victory tonight.
As for the Knights, it was tough sledding to calm the “Whiteout” crowd in Game 1 after allowing three goals within the first 10 minutes of the game. Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 22 of 26 shots for an uncharacteristic save percentage of .846, which feels like an anomaly due to the .951 mark he had compiled to that point. The whole squad will need to improve in Game 2 as it was on the losing end of faceoffs won, hits and penalty minutes, which is a recipe for disaster on the road in the NHL. If Knights backers are looking for a sliver of hope, they should know that Vegas is 11-2 SU in its last 13 away games after losing its most recent road game.
The total opened at 6 and trends are pointing to an UNDER. The UNDER has hit in seven of the Jets’ last nine games at home (average combined score of 5.22 goals) while the UNDER has hit in eight of the Knights’ last 11 games with a closing total of 6 goals or more.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The Vegas Golden Knights were listed as +138 underdogs on the NHL hockey moneyline earlier at Sportsbook. The OVER/UNDER total was set at 6 before betting started earlier on Monday at Sportsbook.
OddsShark computer prediction formulas pick a 3-2.9 win for the Jets on Monday. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NHL matchups here.
The Winnipeg Jets sport a record of 61-23-11 heading into this matchup, while the Vegas Golden Knights sit at 59-26-8 on the season. The OVER/UNDER records are 46-46-3 for the Jets and 46-43-4 for the Golden Knights. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Winnipeg vs Vegas injuries news.
According to new NHL Power Rankings here at OddsShark, it's the No. 12-ranked Jets and the No. 20-rated Golden Knights in this matchup.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up the Winnipeg Jets' No. 2-ranked offense (3.41 goals per game) against a Vegas Golden Knights defense that ranks No. 5 at 2.68 goals per game allowed. The Jets power play has clicked at a 23.62% rate while the Golden Knights have a 81.49% rate on the penalty kill.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Vegas lost its last outing, a 4-2 result against the Jets on May 12. Bettors who backed the Jets at -144 on the moneyline won on the day, and the total score (6) sent PUSH bettors to the payout window.
