The Winnipeg Jets visit T-Mobile Arena on Sunday to face the Vegas Golden Knights for the second time this year and are definitely hoping for a better outcome.
In their first game in Las Vegas 10 days ago, the Golden Knights smoked Winnipeg 5-2. Since that defeat, the Jets lost to the Maple Leafs but have won their last three. The Golden Knights are also 3-1 since then.
Will Winnipeg be able to avenge its loss? Continue reading for NHL picks and predictions below to find out.
Jets vs Golden Knights best odds
Jets vs Golden Knights picks and predictions
There were a lot of questions for surrounding this Vegas Golden Knights team, including but not limited to: could Logan Thompson be a dependable No. 1 goalie? Could Jack Eichel be the offensive force he was in Buffalo? Will the new lines work?
Nine games into the season and the answer so far has been a resounding yes. Thompson is 4-2 and has a goals against average of 1.69, the fourth-best mark in the NHL.
Eichel is tied with Chandler Stephenson and Jonathan Marchessault for the most points on the team (eight). The center is also third on the team in goals (three).
Most importantly, however, new faces like forward Phil Kessel and goalie Adin Hill have managed to seamlessly mesh with the team.
It's one of the biggest reasons the Golden Knights are 7-2 and atop the Pacific Davision over Calgary and Edmonton, teams that were both picked to be ahead of Vegas.
Chemistry cannot be overstated with this team. Owner Bill Foley told the Las Vegas Review Journal that after missing the playoffs for the first time in franchise history last year, he wanted this team to model themselves from prior seasons.
“They had fun all the time,” Foley said. “So we’re trying to (say) let’s have some fun again. That means you have to change the personality of the team a little bit to get back to what it was. I believe we’ve done that.”
Getting their eighth win of the season would keep the locker room loose. After winning the last matchup 5-2, the best play is to back Vegas on the puck line at juicy +120 odds.
The Golden Knights have scored first in seven of their last nine games and in the first matchup, they exploded for four goals in the first period. Hill got the start in that game, but it should be Thompson in goal on Sunday.
The Jets are on a three-game winning streak but those victories were against sub-500 teams at the time; St. Louis, Los Angeles, and Arizona. Against tougher competition (Dallas, Vegas, Toronto) they don't stack up.
My best bet: Golden Knights -1.5 (+130 at DraftKings)
Looking to do some NHL betting? Here are two of the best bonuses* available:
A) New users at FanDuel can get a no-sweat first bet of up to $1,000! Sign Up Now
B) New users at DraftKings can bet $5 and get $200 in free bets! Sign Up Now
*Eligible USA locations only. Also, check out our full list of best sportsbook promotions for 2022.
Jets vs Golden Knights moneyline analysis
The NHL odds for backing Vegas on the moneyline are not great. The Golden Knights opened at -200 and they have slowly ticked up to -205 — but for good reason.
You have to consider the dominance of the first matchup as well as the fact they are 4-1 at home, losing only to the Stanley Cup Champion Colorado Avalanche.
The Golden Knights' first line of Chandler Stephenson, Jack Eichel, and Mark Stone is statistically better than the Jets’ first line of Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele, and Mason Appleton.
The goaltending advantage is also given to Vegas. Logan Thompson is the probable starter but Adin Hill faced the Jets and won decisively so he may go again.
If Thompson starts, he is 4-2 with a .943 save percentage. Hill is undefeated in three games and is sporting a .935 save percentage.
Look for the Golden Knights to jump out to a lead and hold off the Jets. They are the team to back — even at odds of -205.
Jets vs Golden Knights Over/Under analysis
The total opened at 6.5 but has dropped a half-point, even though the previous meeting between the two finished with seven goals.
While the Over hit last time, I am inclined to take the Under for this game as I see this being a much tighter contest than last time around.
The Golden Knights are 5-3-1 to the Under this season while the Jets have stayed Under in three of their last four games.
This might come down to who starts in net for the Golden Knights. Thompson has a goals-against average of 1.69, fourth best in the league. Hill’s GAA is 2.00 and has allowed just six goals in three games.
For Winnipeg, Connor Hellebuyck has a GAA of 2.50. David Rittich is at 3.07 GAA. So if both Rittich and Hill start, their combined GAA would be around five, still a goal below the total of 6. Take the Under.
Jets vs Golden Knights betting trend to know
The home team is 4-1 in the last five meetings including a 5-2 Vegas win 10 days ago. Find more NHL betting trends for Jets vs Golden Knights.
Jets vs Golden Knights game info
| Location: | T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV |
| Date: | Sunday, October 30, 2022 |
| Puck drop: | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | AT&T SportsNet, TSN3 |
