Winnipeg Jets at Los Angeles Kings odds, picks and predictions
The Winnipeg Jets (16-9-2) take on the Los Angeles Kings (16-5-4) Wednesday at Crypto.com Arena. Puck drop is set for 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Jetsvs. Kings odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Jets are coming off a 2-1 defeat by the San Jose Sharks Tuesday night. An even bigger issue is their best player, LW Kyle Connor, is out with a knee injury. Connor took a nasty knee-to-knee hit Dec. 10 and has been sent back to Winnipeg for evaluation. His absence was felt in that loss to the Sharks. The Jets are 8-4-1 on the road this season.
The Kings lost both games during their New York visit. They fell 3-2 in overtime to the New York Islanders and 4-1 to the New York Rangers Sunday. They are rested and at home. They beat down the Jets 5-1 in Winnipeg earlier this season as they were +123 underdogs.
Stream the NHL all season on ESPN+, with your team’s out-of-market games, exclusive games, originals and more. Get ESPN+ now!
Jets at Kings odds
BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:54 a.m. ET.
Jets at Kings projected goalies
Connor Hellebuyck (13-6-1, 2.45 GAA, .915 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Cam Talbot (12-4-2, 1.91 GAA, .931 SV%, 2 SO)
Hellebuyck was between the pipes in the 5-1 loss to the Kings on Oct. 17, stopping 24 of 29 shots he faced. He has a personal 3-game winning streak, though, as he has stopped 77 of 82 shots fired his way in 3 December games. If the Jets win this game, it’s because he stood on his head.
Speaking of standing on craniums, Talbot is 2nd in the league with a 1.91 GAA. He allowed 3 goals in the OT loss to the Islanders Saturday, and that was the 1st time he had allowed 3 goals in a game since Nov. 11. He stopped 26 of 27 shots he faced against the Jets Oct. 17.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Jets at Kings picks and predictions
Prediction
Kings 4, Jets 1
So the Jets lost to one of the worst teams in hockey last night, are without their best player and were floored by the Kings in their own building earlier this year. It’s surprising this ML isn’t -200 or more.
It’s chalky, and I don’t like doing it often, but this one makes sense. Take the KINGS -185.
The Kings are 13-8 on the PL this year. They have beaten the Jets 4 out of 5 times, and the last 2 were by multiple goals. Playing on a back-to-back without their best player, I feel the Jets are vulnerable. They do have a good backstop to lean upon, but Talbot is playing even better.
Take the KINGS -1.5 (+135).
This one could push, and the last 2 meetings were 6 and 5 goals. The Jets are 10-13-1 O/U this year, and the Kings are 8-12-1. The Over is just 3-7 in the last 10 meetings between these clubs.
