The Winnipeg Jets (16-3-0) take on the Pittsburgh Penguins (7-10-4) in 1 of 2 games around the league Friday. Puck drop from PPG Paints Arena is set for 7 p.m. ET (NHL Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Jets vs. Penguins odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: Jets lead 1-0
The Jets brushed off their longest losing streak of their monstrous season, a whopping 2 games, with a 6-3 victory over the Florida Panthers Tuesday. C Mark Scheifele had a hat trick to give him 12 goals on the year, and LW Kyle Connor netted his 12th of the year as well.
The Pens have lost 4 of 5 after a 3-2 OT defeat to the Tampa Bay Lightning Tuesday. RW Rickard Rakell scored his 7th goal of the season. Pittsburgh is last in the league with 3.86 goals allowed per game and 30th with 32.9 shots on goal allowed.
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Jets at Penguins odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NHL odds. Lines last updated at 3:10 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Jets -185 (bet $185 to win $100) | Penguins +150 (bet $100 to win $150)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Jets -1.5 (+135) | Penguins +1.5 (-160)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)
Jets at Penguins projected goalies
Connor Hellebuyck (13-2-0, 2.20 GAA, .923 SV%, 3 SO) vs. Tristan Jarry (1-2-1, 4.72 GAA, .863 SV%)
If a goalie were ever in consideration for the Hart Trophy, it would be Hellebuyck to this point. He’s 6-1-0 with a 2.29 GAA, .923 SV% and 2 SO in 7 games this month. He was 1-1-0 with a 2.00 GAA and .937 SV% in 2 starts against Pittsburgh last year.
Jarry was not great in his first game back from his conditioning or instructional assignment — whatever you want to call it. He allowed 5 goals on 38 shots to a “meh” Columbus Blue Jackets team Nov. 15. He answered with 32 saves on 35 shots against the Lightning Tuesday. He was 1-1-0 with a .963 SV% in 2 starts against the Jets last year, including a 23-save shutout.
Jets at Penguins picks and predictions
Prediction
Jets 4, Penguins 2
Moneyline
I would consider the Jets -185 here. I feel they are that far ahead of the Penguins, even at home.
However, let’s get those odds down a little bit and SGP JETS ML + KYLE CONNOR 2 SOG (-130). Conner has 2+ SOG in 7 straight games.
Puck line/Against the spread
We’re going with an SGP with very little risk in the ML section. So let’s just head to the total.
PASS.
Over/Under
Because this is at 6.5, I am taking the Under. I don’t trust the Penguins to score the 3 goals necessary to cash an Over. The Pens are 22nd in the league with 2.67 G/Game and tied for 27th with a paltry 8.7% shooting percentage. Jarry has lived up to his jarring name all season, allowing 3+ goals in each of his starts. So that’s the only concern, but I’m going UNDER 6.5 (-120).
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