Winnipeg Jets at Chicago Blackhawks odds, picks and best bets
The Winnipeg Jets (25-19-4) visit the Chicago Blackhawks (23-20-6) in a 7 p.m. ET tilt at the United Center. We analyze the Jets-Blackhawks odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.
Jets at Blackhawks: Projected starting goalies
Connor Hellebuyck vs. Robin Lehner
Hellebuyck is putting up similar numbers to those that earned him a runner-up vote for the Vezina Trophy two years ago. The fifth-year NHL'er owns a 2.67 goals-against average and .920 save percentage in 40 games. Hellebuyck's best outings this season were early on. He has struggled his way to an .896 SV% over his last 16 games.
Lehner returns to the Chicago cage after two straight Corey Crawford starts. The 28-year-old Swede owns a 2.85 GAA and .923 SV% this season. He has been terrific at home (.928 SV%) and has been sharp in both of Chicago's games against Winnipeg (.943 GAA). An overly robust .934 SV in penalty-killing situations is a signal of likely downward regression. But lately the 'Hawks have not spent much time in the penalty box; perhaps that regression comes due later in the second half.
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Jets at Blackhawks : Odds, picks and betting tips
Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at Paste BN Sports for a full set of today's betting odds. Odds last updated Sunday at 10:00 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Chicago 4, Winnipeg 3
Moneyline (ML)
On the road, Winnipeg is 14-10 with a league-best 42.2% return on investment. At home, Chicago is 11-14 (-18% ROI). The Central Division foes have split a pair of games this season. Over those games and the two that preceded them, the road team is 4-0. But the Jets are just 2-4 in the opening game of a multi-game trip; the Blackhawks are 4-2 in return-to-home games after such trips.
Will lay off the near-pick-em moneyline ( CHICAGO -115/WINNIPEG -106). Expect the line to move toward the 'Hawks. A Jets +105 would be worthy of a look if enough action went toward Chicago.
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
Winnipeg is 18-6 (18.5% ROI) against the number on the road. But recent Jets' performances have been off the mark. There are some underlying peripherals that have made Chicago a frequent fade during their 14-4 surge. There are enough cross signals to avoid the CHICAGO -1.5 +230/ WINNIPEG +1.5 -295 proposition.
Over/Under (O/U)
The over is 36-17-1 in Chicago's last 54 games when their opponent scores two goals or less in their previous game. Winnipeg went into mid-December toting a GAA well under 3.0. The Jets have since allowed a 3.6 GAA in 16 games. In that 16-game span, puck-possession indicators have trended the wrong way and Winnipeg has allowed a 31.8% power play conversion rate.
WILL TAKE THE OVER 5.5 -139.
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