The Winnipeg Jets (15-1-0) meet the Tampa Bay Lightning (7-6-1) Thursday at Amalie Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Jets vs. Lightning odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: Jets lead 1-0
The Jets show no sign of slowing down. Winnipeg doubled up the New York Rangers 6-3 at Madison Square Garden Tuesday, and it has won 7 straight since its lone setback of the season against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Oct. 28, including 2 shutouts in the past 4 outings. The Under is 3-1 n the 4-game span.
The Lightning are looking to avenge a 7-4 loss in Manitoba in the first meeting on Nov. 3 as the Over (6.5) comfortably cashed. Tampa opened a 2-0 lead with goals to Brandon Hagel and Brayden Point in the first 8 minutes of the game. But, it was all Winnipeg from the 12:23 mark of the first period and on.
Tampa Bay is looking to halt an 0-3-1 skid, including a 2-1 loss in its last game last Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers. The Under has cashed in the past 2 games, with the Lightning managing just 3 total goals.
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Jets at Lightning 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 6:38 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Jets +100 (bet $100 to win $100) | Lightning -120 (bet $120 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Jets +1.5 (-250) | Lightning -1.5 (+200)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -120 | U: +100)
Jets at Lightning projected goalies
Connor Hellebuyck (12-1-0, 1.92 GAA, .934 SV%, 3 SO) vs. Andrei Vasilevskiy (6-5-1, 2.43 GAA, .910 SV%, 1 SO)
Hellebuyck leads the NHL in victories, and it isn’t even close. He is 5-0-0 with a 1.60 GAA and .948 SV% with a pair of shutouts in November, and he kicked off the month with a win against the visiting Lightning Nov. 3. He allowed 4 goals on 30 shots in that victory.
Vasilevskiy didn’t start that first game in Winnipeg, it was Jonas Johansson who allowed 5 goals on 32 shots. He deserved better in his most recent start, kicking aside 30 of 31 shots in a 2-1 SOL against the Flyers last Thursday. He is 0-2-1 with a 3.12 GAA and .905 SV% in 3 November outings.
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Jets at Lightning picks and predictions
Prediction
Jets 3, Lightning 2
Moneyline
WINNIPEG (+100) is a worth a look at even-money. It’s a curious line that the books have the red-hot Jets installed as slight underdogs against a Tampa Bay (-120) side which is 0-3-1 in the past 4 outings. The Jets dispatched the Lightning in the first meeting, and they have the hotter tendy going into this rematch.
Puck line/Against the spread
Playing Jets +1.5 (-250) and risking 2 1/2 times your potential return is silly. If you need insurance, it’s just way too much risk for not enough reward. Winnipeg has won 15 of 16 outings to date. If you like the Jets or Lightning, just play that team straight up for a better value.
PASS.
Over/Under
UNDER 6 (+100) is a strong play with a pretty solid goaltender matchup.
The total has gone low in 2 in a row for the Lightning, while cashing at a 4-2-1 clip in Vassy’s past 7 starts.
For the Jets, the Under is 3-1 in the past 4 outings. Don’t go crazy, though, as the Over did cash in the first meeting.
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