Wild vs. Jets Pick
A thrilling third period lifted the Winnipeg Jets to victory in Game 1 of their first round series against the Minnesota Wild. Will Winnipeg secure another win tonight on its home ice?
Game Snapshot
53 Minnesota Wild at 54 Winnipeg Jets
Friday, April 13, 2018
Bell MTS Place at 7:30PM ET
TV: USA
Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers at YouWager, the Jets are -200 to win on the moneyline. The Wild are a +170 underdog, while the over-under is set at 5.5 goals. As of Friday morning, 57 percent of public bets have come in on host Winnipeg. Check out our NHL Public Betting Page for up-to-date info.
Jets prevail after wild third period
It appeared to be a defensive clinic Wednesday night in Game 1 of the Western Conference quarterfinals when Winnipeg led Minnesota 1-0 through two periods. The first goal wasn’t even scored until there was 2:23 left in the second by Mark Scheifele on the power play to stake the hosts to the lead. But it didn’t take long for the goals to start pouring in over the final 20 minutes, beginning with a pair of Wild tallies in the first four minutes to grab a 2-1 lead. The Jets tied it back up a minute later on a score by Patrik Laine, while the game-winner was put in by Joe Morrow on an assist from Nikolaj Ehlers with 7:13 remaining. Connor Hellebuyck made 18 saves on 20 shots in net to record the win. All in all, it was a solid performance by Winnipeg in front of a raucous crowd and the victory should help ease any postseason tensions going forward.
Minnesota in need of road win
If the Wild can steal a Game 2 win, they still have a tremendous shot at winning this series. They would head back home with the series at 1-1 and in home games this year, the Wild are 27-6-7-1 this season. The problem is that Minnesota is only 18-21-1-2 on the road, while Winnipeg is 33-7-2-0 in home games. Furthermore, the Jets are now 4-1 against the Wild this season and have won all three meetings on their home ice. The best way Minnesota will have a chance to win this season is if goaltender Devan Dubnyk stands on his head and allows two goals max, because the visitors can’t expect to win a shootout against a strong defensive team in the Jets. Minnesota has a solid offensive attack, but it isn’t great by any means so the best way to win will be to keep the total combined goals at five or under.
NHL Betting Trends
Minnesota
The Wild are 1-6 in their last seven conference quarterfinal games. Minnesota is 0-4 in its last four meetings in Winnipeg. The Wild are 5-1 in their last six Friday games.
Winnipeg
The home team is 5-1 in the last six meetings. The Jets are 4-0 in their last four Friday games. Winnipeg is 7-0 in its last seven games versus a team with a winning record.
Prediction:
While the third period last game made it appear as though this series could turn into a slew of shootout games, both of these defenses and goalies are far too solid for that to happen. Expect Game 2 to resemble the first two periods more closely than the last period. I think the under is the smartest play here and it’s hit in three of the last four meetings this season.
NHL DAILY PREDICTION: WILD/JETS UNDER 5.5