The Winnipeg Jets return home to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday evening at the Canada Life Centre, and the NHL odds list Winnipeg as a -184 favorite.
Winnipeg enters this contest on the second half of a back-to-back following Saturday’s 4-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks, and my Jets vs. Blue Jackets predictions believe that a similar result is in store on Sunday night.
Read on for my NHL picks for Sunday, December 8.
Jets vs Blue Jackets prediction
My Jets pick
Jets team total Over 3.5 (-101 at Pinnacle)
My Jets analysis
The Columbus Blue Jackets are typically involved in high-scoring affairs. The reason is simple: their offense is very strong, while the blue line and goaltending have struggled mightily.
This season, Columbus ranks 30th in goals allowed per game. There are three factors contributing to the Jackets’ terrible defensive results.
First, the blue line. The Jackets surrender high-danger scoring chances at a high rate, ranking 20th in xGA/60.
Second, they can’t stay out of the box, ranking 25th in penalty minutes taken per game. Not only are they taking penalties, but they also struggle to kill those penalties, posting a mere 71.4 penalty kill percentage.
Finally, goaltender Elvis Merzlikins, unsurprisingly, has struggled behind this defensively poor team. He is 8-7-2 on the campaign with a .889 SV%.
Considering all these variables, it should not be surprising that the Jackets have surrendered four or more goals in 11 of their past 17 games. One of those outings included a 6-2 loss to the Jets.
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Jets vs Blue Jackets Odds analysis
Winnipeg opened as a -184 favorite and remains at that price at the time of writing. I believe the market will inflate this line further, due to all of the aforementioned variables.
The total opened at six with the juice toward the Over, and considering that Connor Hellebuyck will have the night off for the Jets, it is far more likely that this total moves to 6.5 rather than 5.5.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Jets vs Blue Jackets odds
Jets vs Blue Jackets live odds
Jets vs Blue Jackets opening odds
- Puck line: Winnipeg -1.5 (+138) | Columbus +1.5 (-160)
- Moneyline: Winnipeg -184 | Columbus +161
- Over/Under: Over 6 (-110) | Under 6 (-104)
Odds courtesy of Pinnacle
Jets vs Blue Jackets trend
Columbus has surrendered four or more goals in seven of its past 11 games against Winnipeg. Find more NHL betting trends for Jets vs. Blue Jackets.
How to watch Jets vs Blue Jackets
| Location: | Canada Life Centre, Winnipeg, MB |
| Date: | Sunday, 12-8-2024 |
| Puck drop: | 6:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TSN3 |
Jets vs Blue Jackets latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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