Winnipeg Jets vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, Preview, and Odds
The Winnipeg Jets face the Columbus Blue Jackets with both teams on opposite ends of the standings this season. The Jets have a 42-19-5 record and with six wins in their last 10 games, they have the best record in the Central Division. The Blue Jackets have a 22-33-11 record and have the worst record in the Eastern Conference. The Jets look to remain near the top of the Western Conference while Blue Jackets look to end the season strong and the upcoming game should be a good one.
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Jets are led by a remarkable defense
The Jets are having a great season with their offense stepping up and scoring 3.09 goals per game. Nikolaj Ehlers and Kyle Connor have scored 47 goals and 46 assists to lead the top line but the rest of the offense has also been great. Nino Niederreiter, Mason Appleton, and Cole Perfetti have combined for 42 goals and 54 assists while defenseman Josh Morrissey has added eight goals and 48 assists from the point to open up the offense.
What the TOFF though?
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) March 16, 2024
Where the love go?
Five, four, three, TWO GOALS FOR TOFFOLI ✈️ pic.twitter.com/KHKWJPA9Ta
The offense has stepped up but the defense has been one of the best in the NHL, allowing 2.36 goals per game including only four goals in the last three games. Josh Morrissey and Dylan DeMelo have combined for 10.4 defensive point shares and 197 blocked shots while Brenden Dillon, Neal Pionk, and Dylan Samberg have combined for 10.6 defensive point shares to add depth to the unit. In addition, goaltender Connor Hellebuyck has been great with a .921 save percentage and a 2.33 goals-against average on 1426 shots with 25.1 goals saved above average.
Blue Jackets defense has let them down
The Blue Jackets are having a rough season with their offense letting them down and scoring only 2.91 goals per game. Johnny Gaudreau, Kirill Marchenko, and Dmitri Voronkov have combined for 44 goals and 66 assists but the rest of the offense has struggled. Only five active skaters have 11 goals or more and opponents can limit the top-heavy offense as a result.
JOHNNY HOCKEY SNEAKS ONE IN ��@fanaticsbook | #CBJpic.twitter.com/MLmc64QPTK
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) March 17, 2024
The offense has struggled but the defense has let them down this season, allowing 3.58 goals per game. Zach Werenski and Ivan Provorov have combined for 4.6 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net with ease. In addition, goaltender Elvis Merzlikins has struggled with a .903 save percentage and a 3.25 goals-against average on 1121 shots with -1.3 goals saved above average.
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Best Bets for this Game
Full-Game Side Bet
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The Jets are having a great season and look to take over this game from the first period. The Jets, who average 3.09 goals per game, should create plenty of scoring chances with Kyle Connor, Nikolaj Ehlers, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots with quick passes. The Jets, who allow only 2.36 goals per game, should limit the Blue Jackets offense with Dylan DeMelo, Josh Morrissey, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Connor Hellebuyck to blank the shots on the net. The Jets should win the game and cover the spread in a dominant win on the road.
Prediction: Jets -1.5 (+105)
Full-Game Total Pick
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The Jets are led by their defense and both defensive units look to step up and take over this game from the opening puck drop. The Blue Jackets should limit the Jets offense with Zach Werenski, Ivan Provorov, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Elvis Merzlikins to make plenty of easy saves. The Jets, who have only allowed four goals in their last three games, should eliminate and potentially shut out the Blue Jackets, who average 2.91 goals per game, with Dylan DeMelo, Josh Morrissey, Brenden Dillon, and the rest of the defensive unit forcing turnovers in the neutral zone and defensive zone while goaltender Connor Hellebuyck blanks the shots on the net. The Under should cover on a low-scoring game with both defenses stepping up.
Take the Under on 6 goals.
Prediction: Under 6
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