Free Picks: Winnipeg Jets vs. Vancouver Canucks

Both the Jets and Canucks have produced their worst hockey down the stretch, but Vancouver has righted itself a little bit and now has won two of their last three. The Jets are 1-9-0 in their last 10 games, having stumbled through a seven-game losing streak from the middle of April to early May. The Jets are simply not scoring. Over that losing skid, the Jets were held to one goal or less five times.

The best sports bet today is taking the Canucks on the Money Line (+135) with 10Bet. I see no reason why the Canucks don’t win 3-1 again. The Canucks can’t score much but neither can the Jets.

For my Free Picks and predictions I’m going with the underdog. The NHL odds have Winnipeg favored at home, and much of the reason has to do with the fact that Connor Hellebuyck is expected to be between the pipes for the Jets after he was rested Monday night.

The Jets still lead the season series 5-3. The Jets are going to the playoffs and the Canucks are not. In losing, the Jets failed to secure third place in the North Division. 

The Canucks have found their own misery, going through a six-game losing skid around the same time and they are 3-7-0 in their last 10 games. Each of their three wins has been by at least a two-goal margin. And all of their losses, except two, have been at least by a two-goal margin.

The Jets are frustrated. They threw 40 shots at the Winnipeg net on Monday and scored only one goal on Thatcher Demko. Laurent Brossoit made 28 saves for Winnipeg. The projected starting goaltenders for Tuesday are Hellebuyck (22-17-3) for Winnipeg (.914 save percentage) and Braden Holtby (7-9-2) for Vancouver (.899 save percentage).

Hellebuyck has been good against Vancouver (3-2) with a .934 save percentage. Holtby has not been effective against Winnipeg (01) with an .884 save percentage. But if you think the Jets should have the edge in this goaltender battle, taking Winnipeg (-160) with the Money Line would be the lean. 

Even if you believe that the Jets are due for a win, it’s hard to believe Vancouver (+1.5) won’t cover on the Puck Line (-177), so that seems a safe bet. And since neither team is a scoring juggernaut, I’m leaning toward the Under (5.5) at (-110) with 10Bet.

• Vancouver is 2-7 SU in their last nine games. 
• The total has gone Under in seven of Vancouver’s last eight games on the road in Winnipeg.
• Winnipeg is 1-9 SU in their last 10 games.
• Vancouver is 3-4 ATS in their last 10 on the road.