Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images/AFP
Central division rivals, the Winnipeg Jets and Minnesota Wild clash for the first time this season before the NHL takes a day off for American Thanksgiving. It should be one of the better matches on the NHL schedule today.
The Wild and Jets both played the same opponent in their last game and, similarly, aren’t lighting the scoresheets up so far this season.
While there are points of similarity between the Wild and Jets, we’ve got a clear selection for your NHL picks.
We’ll review the NHL stats and trends before making our Jets vs Wild predictions and prepare you for Wednesday night hockey.
Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. ET from the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota. You can watch this Thanksgiving eve match on ESPN+ or NHLPP.
This is the first of four head-to-head NHL matchups between the Jets vs. Wild. Last season, the Minnesota Wild and Winnipeg Jets split the season series, each winning two games.
The Jets averaged 3.50 goals per game, while the Wild averaged 4.00 goals per game. Important to our Jets vs Wild predictions is both teams’ last game played as they share a common opponent: the Carolina Hurricanes.
In their last game, the Winnipeg Jets defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3 in overtime on November 21st. The Minnesota Wild beat the Hurricanes 2-1 in overtime on November 19th.
The Winnipeg Jets enter Wednesday night’s matchup with an 11-5-1 record. The Jets have won three of their last five matchups.
Only their win over the Hurricanes has surpassed 6 or 6.5 goals in their last five games. Josh Morrissey leads the Jets NHL player stats with eighteen points (three goals, fifteen assists).
The Winnipeg Jets stats as a team don’t represent how good the Winnipeg are: the Jets are averaging 2.94 goals per game on 30.2 shots while giving up 2.41 goals against per game on 30.6 shots.
However, the Jets’ special teams are very good. The Jets have scored eleven powerplay goals, converting on 19.3% of their opportunities, while the penalty killers have only given up six goals, killing off 85.7% of the Jets’ penalties.
David Rittich got the start against the Hurricanes on November 21st. We expect the Jets to go back to number-one goalie Connor Hellebuyck.
Hellebuyck has been fantastic with an 8-4-1 record, a 2.07 goals-against average, and a .935 save percentage.
The Minnesota Wild enter Wednesday night’s matchup with an 8-8-2 record. The Wild have won two of their last five matchups, with only one game ending in a 1.5 goal spread and surpassing 6 or 6.5 total goals.
The Wild are going to have a difficult time climbing the NHL standings in a tough Central Divison, making every inner-division battle more critical for the Wild’s success.
Kirill Kaprizov leads the Wild in scoring with twenty points (ten goals, ten assists). Minnesota has averaged 2.67 goals per game on 30.7 shots while averaging 2.94 goals against per game on 30.3 shots.
Those aren’t great splits for a team fighting who intends on fighting for a wildcard spot all season long.
However, the Wild have been really good on the special teams. Minnesota’s powerplay has scored twelve goals, converting on 20.3% of their powerplay chances, while the penalty killers have given up twelve goals but have killed off 80.3% of the WIld’s penalties.
With number-one goalie Marc-Andre Fleury injured, we expect Filip Gustavsson to get the start for the Wild.
Gustavsson has very similar numbers to Fleury, albeit with a smaller sample size. Gustavsson has a 2-4-1 record, with a 2.68 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage. Gustavsson has the same save percentage as Fleury.
According to recent reports, there is a significant addition to the Minnesota Wild injury report: starting goalie Marc-Andre Fleury is listed on the injured reserve list.
Winnipeg will be without Nikolaj Ehlers and Mason Appleton, both being listed on the NHL injury report.
As of publication, there were no NHL odds available for this game. However, we have a good idea of what betting lines will look like and still make our Jets vs Wild predictions and NHL picks.
The Winnipeg Jets will be the favorite on the moneyline, while the Wild will be the underdog. The Jets have an 11-6 moneyline record, while the Wild are 8-10 on the moneyline.
The Wild will be the favorite on the puck line spread, listed at +1.5 goals, while the Jets will be the underdog at -1.5 goals.
Minnesota Wild is 7-11 against the spread, while the Jets are 10-7 against the spread so far in 2022-23.
The predominant total goals betting line will be listed between 6 and 6.5 goals. The Wild have a 7-11 over/under record, while the Jets are 4-12 over/under.
These betting records suggest taking the under as one of our Jets vs Wild predictions.
Our first Jets vs Wild prediction is to take the under. Neither of these teams is scoring a lot and has solid and reliable goaltending. If the total goals betting line is set to 6.5, take the under all day.
We’d still take the under if the game is listed at 6, but it depends on the odds.
Second, take the Jets on the moneyline. Connor Hellebuyck will keep the Jets in the game close if they struggle to score.
Winnipeg is the better team and should win this game. We’ll take the Jets on the moneyline to win.
Our third Jets vs Wild prediction is to take the Wild to cover the spread potentially. Both of these teams play in many close, one-goal games, especially recently.
If you want to bet on the spread or the Minnesota Wild, we predict they will cover the spread in a low-scoring affair.
NHL Pick: Wild (-160)
If you love sports and want more sports betting information follow us as @InsidersBetDig on Twitter and sign up to our mailing list for free betting picks.
