Led by veteran winger Blake Wheeler, the Winnipeg Jets have taken off for bettors lately and enter Wednesday’s home tilt with the Washington Capitals on a two-game winning streak. The 32-year-old captain has recorded multiple points in each of his last four games and at least one in 10 straight, while collecting two goals and 17 assists during his run. Sportsbooks opened the Jets as -167 home favorites with a total of 5.5.
- The Capitals are 11-3 SU in their last 14 games vs the Jets.
- The Capitals are 1-6 SU in their last seven games after a win.
- The total has gone OVER in seven of the Capitals’ last 10 games vs the Western Conference.
Capitals look much better with Wilson back in the fold
Mark Scheifele has been playing excellent hockey as well, recording back-to-back three-point performances to give him seven goals and eight assists in his last nine contests. Dustin Byfuglien is riding a six-game point streak during which he has collected a goal and seven assists.
The Capitals received a boost on Tuesday in the form of the return of tough guy Tom Wilson, who made his season debut after having his 20-game suspension reduced to 14 earlier in the day. Wilson found the back of the net in Washington’s 5-2 victory over Minnesota in the opener of its four-game road trip to avoid a three-game slide. Evgeny Kuznetsov recorded an assist vs the Wild to reach 200 for his career.
Capitals haven’t been producing in this spot
The Capitals have been an inconsistent bunch when it comes to rattling off consecutive victories this season, as Washington is a measly 1-6 SU in its past seven games when coming off a win. Washington is 11-3 SU in its past 14 meetings with Winnipeg, though. When the Jets have multiple days off between games, the UNDER is cashing. In Winnipeg’s past five contests with two days off, the UNDER is 4-1.
Holtby, Hellebuyck set to get the start
Braden Holtby and Connor Hellebuyck are listed as the probable starting goalies in this one. Holtby (5-5-2, 3.23 goals-against average, .900 save percentage) allowed three goals on 21 shots in the Capitals' loss to Arizona on Sunday. In his last six games, Holtby has gone 1-4-1 SU with a 3.01 GAA and .914 SV%.
Hellebuyck (7-5-1, 2.85 GAA, .912 SV%) surrendered two goals on 36 shots in the Jets' win over New Jersey on Sunday. The American has won three of his last four starts while allowing 10 goals on 130 shots.
