Winnipeg Jets at Chicago Blackhawks odds, picks and predictions
The Winnipeg Jets (34-15-5) take on the Chicago Blackhawks (15-39-3) Friday at United Center. Puck drop is set for 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Jets vs. Blackhawks odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Jets had a couple of days of rest after splitting a back-to-back with Calgary and Minnesota. They tamed the Minnesota Wild Tuesday with a 6-3 victory as -141 favorites. C Gabe Villardi had 2 goals in the W, and he has 4 goals and 4 assists in the last 3 games.
The young Blackhawks dropped 2 games this week with a 6-3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes Monday and a 3-1 setback Wednesday against the Philadelphia Flyers. C Connor Bedard has 2 goals and 4 assists in his 4 games back from a broken jaw.
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Jets at Blackhawks odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:50 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Jets -275 (bet $275 to win $120) | Blackhawks +220 (bet $100 to win $220)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Jets -1.5 (-105) | Blackhawks +1.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Jets at Blackhawks projected goalies
Connor Hellebuyck (26-11-3, 2.20 GAA, .925 SV%, 3 SO) vs. Petr Mrazek (13-22-2, 2.99 GAA, .909 SV%, 1 SO)
Hellebuyck has cemented himself among the names for the best goalie in the league. He leads the NHL with 26.6 goals saved above expected. The closest to that mark is at 21. He's 3-2-0 with a 2.21 GAA and .927 SV% in 5 starts this month. Hellebuyck has already faced Chicago twice this season, going 1-0-1 with a .935 SV%. He allowed 3 goals in 46 shots in those games.
Mrazek was pelted for 41 shots on goal last time out against Carolina, and he allowed 5 goals. He has allowed 4+ goals in 3 of his last 4 starts. In fairness, though, he has seen 35+ shots come his way in all of those. He's 1-1-0 in 2 starts against the Jets this season, and he stopped 61 of 64 shots.
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Jets at Blackhawks picks and predictions
Prediction
Jets 3, Blackhawks 2
Moneyline
This matchup is not as lopsided as the -275 Jets ML suggests. The Blackhawks are 11-15-2 at home and 4-24-1 on the road. Each game this season ended 2-1 with each team taking 1 of the W's. Winnipeg has won 7 of 8 meetings, which keeps me from taking a chance on Chicago's +220.
Instead, let's take CONNOR BEDARD OVER 2.5 SHOTS (-160). He has 3+ shots in 3 of 4 games since he returned, and he had 3+ shots in each game against the Jets this season. He really should be at a 3.5 number, and this is probably the game that puts him back on that trajectory.
Puck line/Against the spread
I like Chicago's side of the puck line here, but I feel like it's a little too risky for the -115 return.
So here's a proposition. Hellebuyck's line is at 24.5 saves. Seems like a shoo-in, right? Well, Chicago's shots on goal the last 3 games are: 22, 17 and 22. Winnipeg is 1st in goals allowed at 2.35 per game and 7th in shots allowed at 29.2.
So I will take CONNOR HELLEBUYCK UNDER 24.5 SAVES (-105).
Over/Under
Simply put - we're going Under. The last 5 matchups have had 5 or fewer goals, and only 1 of those had 5. Both goalies are solid, and both teams are Under teams.
Take the UNDER 5.5 (-115).
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