Lightning vs. Jets: NHL Best Bets, Picks & Predictions (Friday)
We have a small six-game slate of hockey on Friday with some great matchups. Here are my three best bets for Friday’s NHL slate. And here’s a closer look at Lightning vs. Jets.
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
NHL Best Bets, Picks & Predictions: Lightning vs. Jets
The Central Division’s Winnipeg Jets host the Atlantic Division’s Tampa Bay Lightning in what should be an entertaining affair. There have been six or more total goals scored in each of the last six meetings between these two clubs, a trend that is likely to continue on Friday.
There is no question that the projected goaltending matchup, Connor Hellebuyck vs Andrei Vasilevskiy, is an elite one. However, both of these guys have struggled mightily against tonight’s opponent.
Through nine career starts against Winnipeg, Vasilevskiy is just 4-4-1 with a .891 SV% and 3.44 GAA. On the other hand, Hellebuyck is just 4-3-1 with a .863 SV% and 4.53 GAA through nine career appearances against the Bolts.
Neither of these blue lines are anything to brag about in the defensive zone as each rank in the bottom half of the league in xGA/60 at 5-on-5. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay boasts one of the best offenses in hockey as it ranks third in the league in xGF/60 at 5-on-5.
The Jets’ offense, while not as dominant, is due for some positive regression as they rank 22nd in the league in GF/60 but 16th in xGF/60. Oddsmakers set the total at six due to the elite goaltending matchup, but given all these other variables, the over is the play to make.
Best Bet: Over 6 (-115)
Best of luck!
Whether you’re new to sports betting or a betting pro, our How To Bet and Sports Betting Strategy and Advice pages are for you. You can get started with our How To Section — including How to Avoid the 7 Biggest Sports Betting Mistakes — or head to a more advanced strategy — like Thinking Like an Expert Sports Bettor — to learn more.