PREMIUM
Rogers' ICE BREAKER >> SIZZLING 13-4 L17 NHL Sides!
(NHL) Vancouver vs. Winnipeg,
Money Line: -180.00 Winnipeg (Home)
Result: Win
Money Line: -180.00 Winnipeg (Home)
Result: Win
The set-up: The Winnipeg Jets were seven points shy of the playoffs last season but have been one of the NHL's "surprise teams' here in the 2017-18 season. The 17-8-5 Jets are currently third in the central Division(39 points) but they are currently facing some 'hard times." Winnipeg could not hold a one-goal lead Saturday at Tampa Bay, salvaging a point in a 4-3 overtime loss to conclude a 0-2-1 road trip that extended the Jets' road losing streak to five. They return home Monday to host the Vancouver Canucks, looking to snap out of their first real stumble of the season. The 14-12-4 Vancouver Canucks are also struggling, having dropped five of their past eight games and four of their past five road contests.They head to Winnipeg off a frustrating loss, losing a 2-1 third-period lead in a 4-2 loss Saturday at Calgary.
Vancouver: "When you play on the road, it's going to be tight," Canucks center Henrik Sedin told the media afterward. "We had some chances, but in the end we've got to battle to get it to overtime." Forward Brock Boeser scored his 15th goal of the season Saturday, most among all rookies, and has 13 points (10 goals, three assists) in his past 13 games. Forward Nic Dowd, acquired from the Kings on Thursday, played 8:12 Saturday in his Vancouver debut. Anders Nilsson made 31 saves in losing for the second time in three starts Saturday, and Jacob Markstrom, who has won two of his past three starts, may get the nod Monday.
Winnipeg: "We have a better game to play. We look like we've seen both oceans a couple times here in the last month," Winnipeg head coach Paul Maurice told reporters Saturday, referencing the Jets recent travel schedule that has taken them to California, Colorado, Detroit and Florida in a two-week span. Forward Blake Wheeler moved into a tie for the NHL lead with assists with his 30th of the season Saturday, extending his points streak to five games (two goals, eight assists) and giving him 13 points in his past seven games. However, goaltender Connor Hellebuyck has lost three of his past five starts, posting an unipressive .884 save percentage.
The pick: The Jets will likely find out what kind of team they have over the next week, as they play four games against some of the toughest the Western Conference has to offer: the Vancouver Canucks, the Chicago Blackhawks and back-to-back contests with the St. Louis Blues. However, they are catching the Canucks at a good time, as they are slumping (see above). Winnipeg is just 2-2-1 in December after finishing November at 9-3-2, but has won SIX in a row at home, where the Jets are 10-2-1, crushing opponents 4.31-to-2.69 GPG. Make Winnipeg an 8* play.
Vancouver: "When you play on the road, it's going to be tight," Canucks center Henrik Sedin told the media afterward. "We had some chances, but in the end we've got to battle to get it to overtime." Forward Brock Boeser scored his 15th goal of the season Saturday, most among all rookies, and has 13 points (10 goals, three assists) in his past 13 games. Forward Nic Dowd, acquired from the Kings on Thursday, played 8:12 Saturday in his Vancouver debut. Anders Nilsson made 31 saves in losing for the second time in three starts Saturday, and Jacob Markstrom, who has won two of his past three starts, may get the nod Monday.
Winnipeg: "We have a better game to play. We look like we've seen both oceans a couple times here in the last month," Winnipeg head coach Paul Maurice told reporters Saturday, referencing the Jets recent travel schedule that has taken them to California, Colorado, Detroit and Florida in a two-week span. Forward Blake Wheeler moved into a tie for the NHL lead with assists with his 30th of the season Saturday, extending his points streak to five games (two goals, eight assists) and giving him 13 points in his past seven games. However, goaltender Connor Hellebuyck has lost three of his past five starts, posting an unipressive .884 save percentage.
The pick: The Jets will likely find out what kind of team they have over the next week, as they play four games against some of the toughest the Western Conference has to offer: the Vancouver Canucks, the Chicago Blackhawks and back-to-back contests with the St. Louis Blues. However, they are catching the Canucks at a good time, as they are slumping (see above). Winnipeg is just 2-2-1 in December after finishing November at 9-3-2, but has won SIX in a row at home, where the Jets are 10-2-1, crushing opponents 4.31-to-2.69 GPG. Make Winnipeg an 8* play.
