Arizona Coyotes vs. Winnipeg Jets Prediction, Preview, and Odds

The Arizona Coyotes face the Winnipeg Jets with both teams looking to close out the season strong. The Coyotes have a 27-32-11 record and are near the bottom of the Central Division but have won four games in a row. The Jets have a 39-29-3 record and hold the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference. The Coyotes look to continue to climb the Central Division standings while the Jets look to secure the final playoff spot in the conference and the upcoming game should be a good one.

Coyotes hope offense has turned a corner

The Coyotes' offense has let them down all season, scoring only 2.80 goals per game but recently the unit has turned things around, scoring 16 goals in the last four games. Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz have scored 53 goals and 69 assists to lead the top line but the rest of the offense has stepped up as well. Matias Maccelli, Lawson Crouse, and Barrett Hayton have combined for 43 goals and 71 assists while defenseman Juuso Valimaki has added three goals and 28 assists from the point to help open up the offense.

The offense has stepped up recently but the defense has let the Coyotes down this season, allowing 3.44 goals per game. J.J. Moser and Patrik Nemeth have combined for 4.4 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net at will. In addition, goaltender Karel Vejmelka is having a rough season with a .903 save percentage and a 3.36 goals-against average on 1499 shots with -1.8 goals saved above average.

Jets have been carried by their defense

The Jets are having a great season with their offense stepping up and scoring 3.01 goals per game. Kyle Connor and Pierre-Luc Dubois have scored 65 goals and 69 assists to lead the top line but the rest of the offense has also been great. Mark Scheifele, Blake Wheeler, and Nikolaj Ehlers have combined for 61 goals and 80 assists while defenseman Josh Morrissey has added 15 goals and 54 assists from the point to open up the offense.

The offense has stepped up but the defense has led the way, allowing only 2.83 goals per game with only five goals in the last two games. Josh Morrissey and Nate Schmidt have combined for 8.1 defensive point shares and 182 blocked shots while Brenden Dillon, Dylan DeMelo, and Neal Pionk have combined for 7.2 defensive point shares to add depth to the unit. In addition, goaltender Connor Hellebuyck has been great with a .917 save percentage and a 2.62 goals-against average on 1681 shots with 21.6 goals saved above average.

Best Bets for this Game

Full-Game Side Bet

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The Coyotes have won four games in a row but I like the Jets to step up on their home ice and control this game. The Jets, who average 3.01 goals per game, should pile on the goals against a Coyotes defense that allows 3.44 goals per game with Kyle Connor, Pierre-Luc Dubois, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots with great puck movement. The Jets, who allow only 2.83 goals per game, should limit the Coyotes' offense with Josh Morrissey, Brenden Dillon, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Connor Hellebuyck to make plenty of big saves. The Jets should win the game and cover the spread in a dominant performance on their home ice.

Prediction: Jets -1.5 (+105)

Full-Game Total Pick

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With a high total and the Jets being led by their defense, I see this game being a low-scoring one from the first period. The Coyotes should limit the Jets' offense with J.J. Moser, Patrik Nemeth, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers at the blue line and limiting the Jets from establishing an offensive zone presence while goaltender Karel Vejmelka blanks the shots on the net. The Jets, who have allowed only five goals in the last two games, should eliminate and potentially shut out the Coyotes, who average only 2.80 goals per game, with Josh Morrissey, Brenden Dillon, Neal Pionk, 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 in a low-scoring game with both defenses stepping up.

Take the Under on 6.5 goals.

Prediction: Under 6.5

Mike Fink is a sports writer and a passionate football fan. After graduating from college, Fink picked up the passion he had since being a young child in following and covering all things sports and we are very excited to have him as a part of the StatSalt team. In recent weeks, Mike started a podcast which you can find on Spotify, called "The Mike and Grover Show" and it discusses all things football. He covers all forms of sports betting and also bets on all of the plays he gives out. Mike would advise hockey betting since the odds give you great payouts "Hockey is built to bet the Money Line Underdogs. Be sure and follow him on a daily basis.