Winnipeg Jets at Toronto Maple Leafs Betting Preview/Prop Picks

The playoff races in the NHL continue to ramp up as the postseason begins in early May. The Toronto Maple Leafs host the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday night, and this game will be an important game for each team.

Winnipeg comes into this game having won three straight, and they are getting closer to a playoff position in the Central Division. The Jets now have 76 points on the year, and they are trying to make up for a slow start.

Toronto has been in the playoff mix all season long, and they come into this game with 89 points on the year. The Maple Leafs are now in third place in the Atlantic Division, and they have won three of their last five games. 

The Toronto Maple Leafs are big betting favorites in this game, with moneyline odds set at -231.

Special Teams Hurting Jets

If the Jets are going to make a deep run in the playoffs this year, then they have to find a way to be better on special teams. Winnipeg has scored on the power play just 21 percent of the time, and they have killed off just 75 percent of their penalties.

Left Winger Kyle Connor leads the team with 41 goals and 82 points, and Blake Wheeler has scored a team-high 42 assists. This team has weapons all over the ice, but they can’t afford to get into a high-scoring game against Toronto.

Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck comes into this game with a record of 25-23-9, and he will need to be solid in this matchup. 

Maple Leafs Impossible to Stop

The Toronto Maple Leafs are scoring 3.68 goals per game this season, and they have scored on the power play 29 percent of the time. This team will give up some goals, but they think they can just get them back on offense. 

Auston Matthews leads the way with 49 goals and 85 points on the year, and he continues to be one of the best players in the league. Mitchell Marner has a team-high 48 assists on the year, and he is a wizard with the puck. 

Toronto is going to take some chances on both sides of the ice, and they will have to hit on those chances if they are going to win this game.

Jets Pull Off Upset Over Leafs

This is a game that should feature plenty of offense as both teams in this matchup can really score. Winnipeg has been a slightly better defensive team this season, and that could end up being the difference in this matchup.

Winnipeg still has some work to do if they are going to reach the playoffs, while Toronto should be in the field already. This sense of desperation is another benefit for the Jets, and it could allow them to find a way to win this one. 

Don’t expect much separation in the game on Thursday night, but the result might come as a surprise. Bet the Winnipeg Jets moneyline as they stay red hot and upset the Maple Leafs in Toronto.

Prop Picks

Toronto (+105) UNDER 3.5 Goals

Winnipeg is allowing 3.0 goals per game on defense, which ranks No. 17 in the league. Scores have gone UNDER in three of the Jets’ last five games following a win (Winnipeg beat Buffalo last night).

With Dunkel predicting a Winnipeg victory by the score of 3-2, take the Maple Leafs (+105) to finish UNDER their Vegas team total of 3.5 goals against the Jets.

Auston Matthews (-160) UNDER 27.5 Points

Matthews has 85 points on the season, which ranks No. 5 in the league. He has scored 68 points in 38 Toronto wins this season, but has only 21 in 23 losses.

With Dunkel predicting a Toronto loss tonight, take Matthews (-160) to be held UNDER 1.5 points against the Jets.

Be sure to check out all our Daily Basketball Picks!