Winnipeg Jets at New York Islanders Betting Preview
22 February 2023
There are only three NHL games on the schedule on Wednesday night, but one of those is a pretty big matchup. The New York Islanders host the Winnipeg Jets, and both teams are in need of a win to stay in the postseason race.
Winnipeg comes into this game with 71 points on the year, and that is good enough for second place in the Central Division. The Jets have won three of their last five games, and that includes a win over the Rangers in New York.
New York is coming into this game having won just two of their last five games, and they need to find a way to turn things back around. The Islanders have racked up 65 points on the year, and they are currently holding on to a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.
The New York Islanders are moneyline betting favorites at -118 over the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday night.
Jets Playing Well on Special Teams
The Winnipeg Jets have been winning games by playing well on special teams, and that is extremely important on the road. Winnipeg has scored on the power play 22 percent of the time, and they have killed off 84 percent of their own penalties.
Goaltender Connor Hellebucyk has been a star for the Jets this season, as he has posted a record of 26-16-1 this season. Winnipeg wants to keep this to a low-scoring game, and Hellebuyck will play a key role in that.
Kyle Connor leads the Jets with 65 points on the year, but there are a ton of players on this team that are capable of scoring points on offense.
Islanders Must Find Offense
The New York Islanders come into this game scoring just 2.9 goals per game, and that’s just not enough offense to consistently win in the league. New York has scored on the power play just 17 percent of the time, and that number has to improve as the year moves along.
Brock Nelson has been the best offensive star for the Islanders, as he leads the way with 26 goals and 31 assists. New York is going to need other players to step up if they are going to keep pace with the Jets.
The one thing that the Islanders have done well this season is shut opponents down with their defense and goaltending. New York is holding opponents to just 2.8 goals per game, and that is going to be a key in this matchup.
Islanders Cruise Past the Jets
These two teams are built in very similar ways, and that should lead to a great battle on the ice on Wednesday night. Winnipeg is a slightly better offensive team, but New York has been able to get more stops this season.
You should expect to see these two teams stay pretty close throughout this matchup, but at some point, it will be the Islanders that are going to take control. New York is in need of two points in this matchup, and that little bit of extra desperation is going to give them an edge over the Jets in this one.
Bet the New York Islanders -1.5 as they protect home ice and win this matchup by two goals on Wednesday night.
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All Media on this page by Associated Press.
