The Winnipeg Jets looked to be on cruise control to a high seed in the Western Conference playoffs, but a rough February has brought the high-flying Jets back down to earth. The good news for Jets bettors tonight is they’re going up against the Vegas Golden Knights, who’ve struggled mightily at home of late. Sportsbooks opened the Golden Knights as -155 home favorites with a total of 6.5.
Jets vs Golden Knights Game Center
Standout Stats
- The Jets are on a three-game losing streak with two defeats to the lowly Ottawa Senators in a 2-4-2 SU stretch. Winnipeg’s usual high-octane offense has managed only three goals per game in February.
- Vegas is 1-5-1 in its past seven home games, with the latest setback in Sin City coming in the form of a 3-2 shootout loss to Boston on Wednesday. On the season, the Golden Knights are 17-9-4 at T-Mobile Arena.
- One of the reasons for Winnipeg’s offensive inconsistency has been its anemic power play. Kyle Connor scored in the third period of Wednesday’s 7-1 rout at the hands of the Avalanche to snap an 0-for-21 drought with the man advantage.
- This is the first meeting between the teams since the Golden Knights dispatched the Jets in five games in the Western Conference final a year ago. Vegas has won all three of its home matchups with Winnipeg, including victories in Games 3 and 4 of the conference final last spring.
- Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury turned aside 129 of 135 shots in that series with the Jets, yet he’s been bad lately. The Quebec native has yielded 16 goals during his personal four-game losing skid (0-3-1).
- The Jets have been a reliable OVER wager when playing away from home, eclipsing the closing total in four of their last five road games with an average combined score of 6.6 goals. On the season, the Jets have averaged 2.8 goals per game when playing on the road.
My best bet for Jets-Golden Knights
OVER 6.5
The Jets and Golden Knights are both very good teams that aren’t playing their best hockey right now, and that’s equated to sloppy defense for both parties. Winnipeg has had no issue going OVER totals away from home while home-ice advantage has been non-existent for the Knights, so don’t be scared of the high 6.5 number and take the OVER.
