Jets vs Wild | NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction

Jets vs. Wild Odds

The Winnipeg Jets will look to solidify a postseason berth Tuesday in its matchup versus the Minnesota Wild. The Jets sit three points up on Nashville for the final spot, with each team having two games left to play. As Winnipeg holds the tiebreaker, a single point tonight or in game 82 against the Colorado Avalanche is enough to clinch the spot.

Minnesota played without a number of top stars last night in Chicago, and will likely not be at full strength again in tonights matchup, but is priced as a -120 favorite. Let's discuss how to approach betting Jets vs Wild.

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Winnipeg Jets

Winnipeg's 3-0 loss in San Jose was a clear low point in what has been a slow second half, but it has responded well since that point with wins in four of five games and a +13 goal differential. In those five outings, it also owns a 56.84 xGF%, and has looked dominant to the eye.

Coach Rick Bowness called out the Jets' top stars after the shutout loss to San Jose, and all of them have responded well with some key production during this 4-1-0 run.

The Jets became a trendy cup pick entering the new year as it holds a lethal top six that highlights a strong offensive core, and had been a playing a far sharper defensive game then in previous years where it had relied too heavily upon its superstar goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.

It has looked more the part of an actual contender in the West recently, and could be trending back into form at just the right time.

The biggest question for tonight's massive game is whether or not Hellebuyck will make a rare back-to-back start, as David Rittich is a fairly well below average backup option and would move the betting numbers significantly

Minnesota Wild

Minnesota had a very impressive tear towards the postseason with an 18-3-5 record since Feb. 17, but is ultimately going to come up just shy a division crown; assuming either of Dallas or Colorado wins one out of a combined five games.

It has played a very sharp defensive game in front of goal, which has allowed the goaltending tandem to thrive to a league leading .933 save % in those 26 matchups.

As with most teams, the Wild have a laundry list of players currently listed as day-to-day as they look to nurse injuries as best possible prior to the postseason.

Minnesota's absences last night were very significant, as a number of quietly important pieces were out on top of most of the big names.

The list included three members of Minnesota's elite defense core in Captain Jared Spurgeon, Jonas Brodin, and Matt Dumba, as well as three of its most prominent forwards with Kirill Kaprizov, Joel Eriksson Ek, and Mats Zuccarello.

Minnesota simply is not the same team without those guys in the lineup, and it showed last night in a game where the lowly Blackhawks carried the vast majority of the play but was ultimately undone by another strong performance in goal.

Top prospects Brock Faber and Marco Rossi drew in to the lineup which is exciting for Wild fans, but will not entirely be able to plug all the voids.

Marc-Andre Fleury will start tonight's matchup, and has played to a +6.8 GSAx and .909 save percentage in 45 appearances.

Jets vs. Wild Pick

Whether or not Minnesota ends up with as depleted a roster we saw in Chicago last night, I still believe +100 to get the Jets in this spot is a very strong number if Hellebuyck does go back-to-back.

Colorado will likely need to win Thursday's contest versus Winnipeg to win the division, which means a very tough matchup in Winnipeg's other opportunity to seal its playoff berth. That makes this a massive spot for the Jets to make sure that a shocking playoff miss does not occur, which is why I am speculating Hellebuyck plays again.

Winnipeg's is clearly finding its game and has had a number of very impressive performances recently, and is going to give a tough fight versus even a full Minnesota side.

With a number of quietly strong players out of the lineup in Chicago the Wild got caved in badly by a horrific Blackhawks team, and I think going back to the well to fade them in this spot makes a lot of sense with the Jets at plus money.

If David Rittich plays I would pass altogether, and confirmation could take longer than usual as Winnipeg likely will not host a morning skate in this back-to-back spot.

Pick: Winnipeg Jets +100 (Play to -110 if Connor Hellebuyck starts, Pass if Rittich plays)