The Winnipeg Jets host the Vancouver Canucks in a powerhouse battle between two of the best in the Western Conference on Thursday.
Winnipeg is scorching along a seven-game winning streak and will host the Colorado Avalanche in Game 1 of their opening-round series. Vancouver is the No. 2 seed in the West, and they’ll also have home-ice advantage in Round 1 against the Nashville Predators. The Canucks also received a huge boost with No. 1 goaltender Thatcher Demko returning to action Tuesday. He turned away 39 of 40 shots in a 4-1 home win over the Calgary Flames.
Here are our free NHL picks and Canucks vs. Jets predictions for their playoff dress rehearsal on Thursday, April 18.
Canucks vs Jets prediction
My best bet
Under 5.5 goals (+100 at Sports Interaction)
My analysis
The Winnipeg Jets have announced backup Laurent Brossoit will start against the Vancouver Canucks, and the No. 2 tendy has been next to automatic at Canada Life Centre with a 9-1 record. Additionally, Winnipeg will be resting regulars, but head coach Rick Bowness didn’t reveal who.
Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet planned to start Thatcher Demko on Thursday, but there haven’t been any lineup updates or an official confirmation on who will be in nets for the Canucks.
This isn’t an entirely meaningless game, either. Winnipeg can earn home-ice advantage against every Western Conference team except the Dallas Stars with a win, and the Jets can also finish the year tied for the fewest goals against by allowing two or fewer to Vancouver on Thursday. If Winnipeg allows one or fewer, Vezina Trophy odds favorite Connor Hellebuyck and Brossoit would also win the William M. Jennings Trophy.
I’m also expecting Vancouver to continue playing its defense-first brand of hockey. The Canucks have surrendered the fifth-fewest goals in the league, and I do believe it will be Demko between the pipes for a final tuneup ahead of the playoffs. He ranks second in save percentage (.918) and goals saved above average per 60 minutes (0.43), so goals will also be tough to come by for the Jets.
With two defensive-minded teams in front of excellent goaltenders, I’m anticipating this being a low-scoring game, and we’re landing a fair number on the Under 5.5 goals.
Canucks vs Jets same-game parlay (SGP)
Under 5.5
Elias Pettersson anytime goalscorer
In addition to my best bet, I’m targeting Elias Pettersson to find the back of the net Thursday. Pettersson has a single goal across his past 12 games despite registering 3.45 individual expected goals and 12 high-danger scoring chances with an unsustainably low 4.4 shooting percentage. For comparison, Pettersson recorded a 17.9 SH% before the slump, and he posted a 16.0 mark across 254 games the prior four seasons, so the puck luck is ahead for the Vancouver center.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Canucks vs Jets odds
Canucks vs Jets live odds
Canucks vs Jets opening odds
- Puck line: Vancouver +1.5 -225 | Winnipeg -1.5 +185
- Moneyline: Vancouver +115 | Winnipeg -135
- Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-115) | Under 5.5 (-105)
Canucks vs Jets moneyline and Over/Under analysis
- There has been a minor move to the Vancouver side of this moneyline at Sports Interaction. The shop opened Winnipeg -135, and the Jets are trading at -130 as of Thursday morning.
- The moneyline move to the Canucks is consistent with Pinnacle and FanDuel, too.
- Similarly, there hasn’t been a significant adjustment to the consensus 5.5 total. Sports Interaction moved the Over from an opening -115 to -120.
- There is definitely potential for late movement to both the moneyline and total once it’s reported which players — if any — will be sitting out Thursday. I suspect that it will take until the pregame skate for this information to be released, but it could come during the morning skates, too.
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Canucks vs Jets trend
Brossoit has allowed two goals or fewer in 12 of his past 16 starts. Find more NHL betting trends for Canucks vs. Jets.
Canucks vs Jets game info
| Location: | Canada Life Centre, Winnipeg, MB |
| Date: | Thursday, 4-18-2024 |
| Puck drop: | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Sportsnet Pacific, TSN3 |
Canucks vs Jets latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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