Winnipeg Jets vs. Los Angeles Kings Prediction, Preview, and Odds

The Winnipeg Jets (16-9-2) came into the 2023-24 season as one of the most overlooked teams in the NHL, but after a slow start, they've suddenly found their very best form, and with the perfect combination of youth and experience, this is a team that appears ready to make a deep Stanley Cup playoff run with this very fun roster.

Opposing them in this one will be the Los Angeles Kings (16-5-4), who continue to be a model of consistency in the Western Conference, and even while other teams are drawing all the praise and attention, they have put together another strong start as they aim to become part of the elite echelon of teams out West.

Can the Jets establish themselves as a top team in the NHL?

The Winnipeg Jets had a whirlwind off-season, making some massive moves that many thought made them worse, but through two months of the season they've been fantastic, posting a 9-4-0 record in their past 13 games, taking them to 16-9-2 on the season, placing them in third place in the Central Division, with just two points separating them from the Colorado Avalanche at the top. In 13 games away from home, the Jets have been stellar with an 8-4-1 record, and with a +15 goal differential, this is a team that likely won't be overlooked for long, especially if the young names on this team can continue to develop around their impressive veteran core.

Unsurprisingly, this team is led by the veteran trio of Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele (28 points) and Josh Morrisey (24 points), with Connor Hellebuyck once again having a dominant start in net, posting a 2.45 GAA and a .913 save percentage through his first 20 starts of the season. Last time out wasn't the ideal finish for Winnipeg, as they fell to the lowly San Jose Sharks on the road, with Brenden Dillon's lone goal on 38 shots not enough to take down the last ranked team in the NHL even with an impressive outing from Brossoit, who stopped 30 of 32 shots, with the team ultimately falling 2-1.

Can the Kings keep pace with the top teams in the Pacific Division?

The LA Kings on the other hand came into 2023-24 expecting to take that final step towards being Stanley Cup contenders, and with an 8-2-1 record in their past 11 games, they now find themselves among the elite squads in the Pacific Division with a 16-5-4 mark, placing them third in the division behind both Vancouver and Vegas. At home this season, the Kings are just 5-4-3, with most of their success surprisingly coming on the road, but even so, their goal differential currently sits at +34, and with so much offensive talent and depth throughout this lineup, they've proven to be a consistent force through two months.

While the veteran trio of Kempe, Kopitar and Fiala all lead the Kings team in scoring with over a point per game, it's the 21 points in 25 games from standout young star Quinton Byfield that continues to be a story, as does the revival of Cam Talbot in net, who has posted a ridiculous 1.91 GAA and a .931 save percentage in his age 36 season. Last time out for the Kings was their first regulation loss of the season away from home at the hands of the New York Rangers, as the team managed just one goal to Philip Danault, while former Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick stole the show, saving 25 of 26 shot attempts to down his former team 4-1.

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Full-Game Side Bet

Rating:

Despite being in different divisions, this has become one of the most intriguing rivalries in the NHL over the past few years, and with the defection and trade of Pierre-Luc Dubois this past summer, it brings even more storylines into this one, as he goes to battle with his former team for the second time this season.

The Kings may have pulled out the upset win in Winnipeg on that night, but in their past three meetings in Los Angeles, the Jets have come away with a 2-1 mark, and with the Kings being under .500 this season on the road while Winnipeg have nine wins in their past 13 games, so look for them to return the favor in this matchup.

Prediction: Winnipeg +150

Full-Game Total Pick

Rating:

For most teams, taking the over at 5.5 would be the easiest bet, but for these two squads that's far from the case, as the under is 7-3 in their past 10 head-to-head meetings, with their previous four games in Los Angeles returning an average of exactly 5.5.

In recent times, the under has been dominant for these two squads, as the under sits at 10-0 for the Jets in their past 10 games and 7-3 for the Kings over that time, and with two goaltenders returning stats of 2.45 GAA and .913 save percentage (Hellebuyck) and 1.91 GAA and a .931 save percentage (Talbot), it's safe to say that even with many goal scoring opportunities, finishing them will be a tough ask for both of these offenses.

Keep it simple, take the under.