Golden Knights vs. Jets Odds
| Golden Knights Odds | +105 |
| Jets Odds | -125 |
| Over / Under | 5.5 -120 / +100 |
Here's everything you need to know about the Vegas Golden Knights vs. Winnipeg Jets on Thursday, March 28 – our expert NHL prediction and pick.
The Knights knocked off the Jets in the opening round of last year's playoffs, and have gone 2-o versus them this regular season.
Since these teams last met on Nov. 2, the Jets have thrived to a record of 40-18-4. They get one last chance for a small measure of revenge here at home, where they own a mark of 23-9-3.
The Knights have gone just 29-25-7 since that Nov. 2 meeting, displaying surprisingly poor form for a lengthy period of time.
Pick: Golden Knights ML (+110 at bet365, play to +100)
Vegas Golden Knights
More than any other team, the Knights have had valid excuses for their struggles this season, and that's why they are such a compelling team to watch down the stretch. Prior to the start of this road trip, they went 19-21-2 over a 42-game sample. That's half of an entire season being below .500.
However, the Knights spent the vast majority of that time playing without numerous key pieces, often taking the ice with just a skeleton of their regular lineup. They also have played more games than anybody except the Panthers, and a level of complacency over the dog days of an 82-game season might have crept into the locker room.
Even with Alex Pietrangelo, Mark Stone, Tomas Hertl and Adin Hill on the sidelines, their lineup is still looking better than it has for much of the year.
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Most notably because Jack Eichel has played like a true No. 1 center since his return. Eichel has put up 12 points in 10 games, while displaying high-end play defensively. He, Ivan Barbashev and Jonathan Marchessault formed the best line in last year's playoffs, and lately they have picked up where they left off from a year ago.
There's a lot to like about the way the Knights started this road trip. They bested a desperate Blues side in what was essentially a do-or-die matchup for St. Louis on Monday. They fell apart late in Tuesday's matchup versus the scorching-hot Predators, with third-stringer Jiri Patera in goal.
In those two games, the Knights owned 54.6% of the high-danger chances and looked to display improved defensive form than we have often seen.
This start should go to Logan Thompson, who has played to a +4.0 GSAx and .914 save percentage across 32 appearances.
Winnipeg Jets
This is a huge spot for the Jets to bounce back and get right versus another Western contender. We've been saying that a lot lately, as Winnipeg is only 7-7-1 over its last 15 games.
When they added Tyler Toffoli and Sean Monahan, the noise that this year would be different hit a fever pitch, but that take has been muted by their subpar form of late.
Over the last 15 games the Jets have played to an xGF% of only 49.81. They have allowed 3.17 xGA/60 in that span, which has helped cause Connor Hellebuyck's goals-against average to creep upward.
Their third defensive pairing continues to allow a ton of chances against. It's surprising we have not more consistently seen deadline-acquisition Colin Miller get in the lineup as a result, because Logan Stanley and Nate Schmidt are both struggling considerably.
We should expect Hellebuyck to get the start Thursday. He has played to a +28.7 GSAx and .920 save percentage in 52 appearances this season.
Golden Knights vs. Jets
Betting Pick & Prediction
The Knights are clicking into high gear and starting to display closer to a playoff level of intensity. They are also benefitting from having more high-end talent back in the lineup.
They displayed some pretty brutal form for half of an NHL season, but everybody was counting on a turnaround coming at some point, and all indications that time is here. Had the Knights not struggled for as long as they did, we probably aren't seeing a price of +110 for them to win this one.
The Jets' play has dropped off recently as well. Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele are starting to be outplayed consistently by other elite forwards, and their team defensive play hasn't been what it was early on in the season.
Hellebuyck offers a path to a victory in any game, but at this point it's likely we see the Knights own more of the play here.
Betting Vegas to win this matchup at anything better than +100 provides value.
Pick: Golden Knights ML (+110 at bet365, play to +100)
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