The Difference in the Wing Play Will Dictate How This Game Goes
The Winnipeg Jets will travel to the United Center on Sunday evening to take on the Chicago Blackhawks in a Central Division matchup. This is the third and final regular season game between these two franchises as they split the first two games after the Blackhawks were able to pick up a 3-1 win back on Valentine’s Day.
Winnipeg is currently sixth in the Central Division (28-23-10, 66 points) and are currently two points out of the final Wild Card playoff spot in the Western Conference while Chicago is seventh in the Central Division (22-30-9, 53 points) and are in the bottom quarter of the NHL thus far.Â
Both teams are trying to win the regular season series here and this should be a very entertaining game, to say the least.Â
Can the Winnipeg Jets’ Wings Continue to Lead the Offensive Output?
Winnipeg has been scoring the ball well as they are scoring 3.03 goals on 32.9 shot attempts per game. The offensive production is being led by the play of left winger Kyle Connor as he is tied for ninth in the NHL in points and fourth in the sport in goals as he has 72 points (38 goals, 34 assists) with six points in the last two games. On the defensive side of things, the Jets are giving up 3.02 goals on 32.2 shots so far. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck has struggled so far as he is 21-21-9 with a .908 save percentage and 2.99 goals allowed per game this season.Â
Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane has been doing pretty well this season as he is currently tied for 14th in the league in points and tied for eighth in the NHL with assists as he has scored 68 points (19 goals, 49 assists) and has recorded a remarkable 10 points in his previous four games. The Blackhawks are averaging 2.61 goals on just 28.6 shots so far this year. Starting goalie Marc-Andre Fleury has been struggling so far as he is 19-20-5 with 2.90 goals allowed per game and a .909 save percentage thus far. As a team defensively, Chicago is allowing 3.41 goals on 32.2 shot attempts this season.Â
Winnipeg Jets at Chicago Blackhawks Betting Prediction
These offenses are showing a bit of a gap recently at scoring the puck as the Jets are currently averaging 4.4 goals in his last five games while the Blackhawks are scoring 3.3 goals in their previous three games. Winnipeg is currently 35-26 against the spread this season while Chicago is 32-29 against the spread. All in all, go with the team trying to win and get into the playoffs with the Winnipeg Jets to cover the puck line in this divisional matchup.
* All odds provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.
Last updated:March 17, 2022 Blackhawks, Central, Jets, NHL