Jets vs. Golden Knights prediction and odds for NHL playoffs Game 5

The Vegas Golden Knights have a chance to punch their ticket to the second round of the NHL Playoffs tonight when they host the Winnipeg Jets in Game 5 of their opening round series.

The Golden Knights went 2-0 in Winnipeg, winning Game 3 in overtime and then playing to a 4-2 decision in Game 4.

If the Golden Knights seal the deal, they’ll wait to find out the winner of the Oilers vs. Kings to see who they will play in the second round.

Let’s take a look at the odds for tonight’s Game 5 in Vegas.

Jets vs. Golden Knights odds, puck line, and total

Jets vs. Golden Knights prediction and pick

The numbers and analytics from this series so far are too close to justify the Golden Knights being such large favorites.

For example, If you look at CORSI%, which measured all types of shot attempts both for and against, the Jets actually have the advantage during 5-on-5 play at 50.96%. Both teams are also averaging the same amount of high-danger scoring chances at 9.2 per 60 minutes.

For me to lay a big price on a team like the Golden Knights in this spot, I would need to see them dominating each of the advanced metrics, and that just simply isn’t the case.

The Knights are getting better shooting and goaltending which has been the difference in this series, but I’m willing to bet on some variance in those categories while trusting the advanced numbers.

I’m ready to take a shot on the Jets as sizable underdogs to force Game 6 tonight.

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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.