Updated Jets vs. Stars Odds
Stars Odds | -110 |
Jets Odds | -110 |
Over/Under | 5.5 |
Time | 8 p.m. ET |
TV | ESPN+ |
Odds via DraftKings and updated at 4:45 p.m. ET. Get up-to-the-minute NHL Odds here. |
The Winnipeg Jets return to their home ice to face off against the Dallas Stars after a completing a three-game road trip on the west coast.
Winnipeg went 2-0-1 on said road trip, pushing their overall record to 4-2-2 for the season. Meanwhile, Dallas comes into this one sitting in sixth place in the Central division with a 3-4-1 record, and riding a three-game losing streak.
Dallas has been one of the worst offensive teams in the league this season, and their recent performance is somewhat worrying. Both teams are well rested, but I still believe Winnipeg comes out on top at home.
Jets Offense Flying High
After getting off to a slow start and beginning their season with three consecutive losses, the Winnipeg Jets have pieced together a few great games and appear to have found their stride.
In their last five games, the Jets are outscoring their opponents 20-11 and consequently have climbed up the offensive rankings. They now find themselves among the top six in total goals scored and GF/60 in 5-on-5 situations, showing they can find the back of the net and build a lead.
The defense has been a little vulnerable early on, ranking in the bottom ten in Goals Allowed per game, xGA/60, and HDCA/60. However, Dallas has not posed much of a threat on offense this season, and that will likely remain the trend.
Connor Hellebuyck will be the starting goalie in this game. Hellebuyck has a SV% of .924, HDSV% of .882, and 0.3 Goals Saved Above Expected in seven games this season. He should have another solid performance in this game.
Stars Need to Find More Offense
Dallas is in the middle of a rough patch in the early going of the season, and that is largely in part because of their offensive struggles that were previously mentioned.
The Stars are arguably one of the worst offensive teams in the NHL and have been far from impressive on that end of the ice. They come into this one having only scored seven total goals in 5-on-5, ranking them 32nd in the league. Dallas is also only scoring 1.70 goals per 60 minutes this season, which has them in the bottom two and only in front of the Coyotes.
However, they have been a good defensive team so far this season, with 1.98 Expected Goals Against per 60 minutes and 9.52 HDCA/60 in 5-on-5 situations.
Despite having success there, I don't think it is going to make up for their lack of production on offense.
Braden Holtby is expected to get the start in this one for Dallas. Holtby comes into the matchup with a SV% of .924 and 1.0 Goals Saved Above Expected in 5-on-5 but has struggled in high-danger situations. He has a HDSV% of .789. That could pose a problem against a good offensive team in Winnipeg.
Stars vs. Jets Pick
The Stars have had some issues early on and in their last three games, and I don't think they will suddenly reverse course on the road against a good Jets team.
Dallas is also just 2-3 on the road this season, while Winnipeg remains undefeated at home in two games.
These are two teams who have began to move in opposite directions over the last week or so, which is why I feel Winnipeg should win this one outright and be able to hold an already bad offense in Dallas in check.
Pick: Winnipeg ML (-130) | Play to -140
Editor's note: Eric Comrie will start in goal for the Jets as starter Connor Hellebuyck is away for the birth of his child. The original version of this story assumed Hellebuyck would start in net.