Winnipeg Jets vs Minnesota Wild Predictions, Picks & Odds

Winnipeg Jets vs Minnesota Wild Predictions and Picks

The Winnipeg Jets will travel to St. Paul to face the Minnesota Wild for the fourth and final time this season. The Wild have dominated the Jets all season long and have won each game by scores of 6-1, 4-1, and 4-1, respectively. Minnesota will have a chance to sweep this regular-season series but are playing shorthanded and may struggle against this healthier Winnipeg team.

As I write this, neither of these teams have played their Monday matchups. The Jets are yet to clinch a Playoff spot but are sitting in the second Wild Card spot with 91 points. The Calgary Flames and Nashville Predators are right on their tail, so a win tonight (and Monday win) are vital for them to play past the regular season. Conversely, the Wild have clinched the third spot in the Central Division and have 100 points. This game is not as important to them, but they can move up into second or even first with some wins.

The Jets have not been consistent since the All-Star break and have not gone on a winning streak since January. They have, however, gone on a losing streak and seen their fair share of troubles. With that being said, they can make the Playoffs and potentially make a run. Their offense has not been elite this year but also has not been horrible. The Jets average nearly three goals a game, putting them a little below league average. Defensively, they are much better and find themselves in the top ten. Overall, the Jets have had their underwhelming moments but can turn it around.

The Jets will be led by Kyle Connor, Josh Morrissey, Mark Scheifele, and Pierre Luc-Dubois. All of these players have at least 61 points and are dangerous with the puck.

 Connor Hellebuyck is the Jets’ workhorse of a goaltender. He has played in 62 games this season and have 35 wins (tied for fourth-most in the NHL).

The Wild have turned it around in the second half of the season. Minnesota went from being a Wild Card team to firmly putting themselves in the top three of their division. Their numbers are very similar to Winnipeg’s, but they have been winning games. The Wild’s offense is just a bit slower than the Jets’, but their defense is also a little better. In addition, the Wild have a great goaltender, just like the Jets.

The Wild will be missing some key pieces in Kirill Kaprisov and Joel Eriksson Ek, so they will be forced to depend more on Mats Zuccarello, Matt Boldy, Frederick Gaudreau, and Ryan Hartman. Zuccarello has proven himself all season long and has 67 points, but Boldy, Gaudreau, and Hartman have had slower seasons and will need to step up.

Filip Gustavsson will likely get the start in this game. The 24-year-old has only played in 37 games but has an impressive 21 wins.

The Jets may be on the road, but they are healthier, and there is a lot more at stake, so I would bet on them to win this game.

Why Might the Winnipeg Jets Win?

The Jets are the underdogs but will win if they score a power-play goal and have strong goaltending.

The Jets have a subpar power-play unit, but that does not matter going into this game. This unit needs to act like they are the best and play as the best. If they score a goal, they should win this game.

The Wild are playing shorthanded but will still put up many shots. That is why the Jets’ goaltender (probably Connor Hellebuyck) must continue to be a force in the net.

Why Might the Minnesota Wild Win?

The Wild are the favorites but will only win if they score first and play a strong team offense.

The Wild are playing at home, so they must score the first goal. This is paramount, especially because they are missing their best players. If Minnesota strikes first, they will push the game more in their favor and give themselves a necessary edge.

As I mentioned many times before, the Wild are playing shorthanded. Since this is the case, they must play a stronger team offense. They need to pass more and depend less on one or two players. That will be the key to them scoring goals.

Jets Key Players: (LW) Kyle Connor

This is the obvious choice. Kyle Connor is the top offensive player on the Jets and leads them in points with 79. I am sure Connor recognizes the significance of this game. He must give everything he has in this matchup and perform to the best of his ability.

Wild Key Player: (RW) Mats Zuccarello 

This is also the obvious choice. Mats Zuccarello will be the Wild’s #1 option with the absences of Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek. Zuccarello must embrace this role and use it as an opportunity to show that he is still a premier player in this league.