Free Picks: Winnipeg Jets vs. Edmonton Oilers

The Winnipeg Jets (27-14-3) are battling with the Edmonton Oilers (25-15-2) and the Toronto Maple Leafs for top spot in the North Division. But Edmonton’s game against the Vancouver Canucks on Friday night was postponed, so the Oilers go into Winnipeg pretty cold, having not played since a 5-0 defeat to Calgary last Saturday. So, I think the Oilers get off to a slow start, which makes me look at the first-period Money Line.

I think the best sports bet today is taking Winnipeg with the first-period Money Line (+170) with 10Bet. I think there’s a good chance that Edmonton takes a period or two to adjust to a moving train because of a lack of competition in the last week. Meanwhile, the game on Saturday will mark Winnipeg’s third game in four nights, so their motor should be running hot.

Both teams are among the top-10 NHL leaders in the number of first-period goals scored. 

The Oilers lead the season series 4-2 and they’ve taken the last three games. All the games have been close, with four of the games decided by only one goal. In both victories by the Jets, they needed to score six goals to pull out their victory.

I like Winnipeg’s recent record. They’ve only lost one game in their last six. They have also outscored the opposition 23-13. The Oilers have not been that impressive. They are 3-3 in their last six and have been outscored 17-12.

The NHL game odds favor Winnipeg, and I think the Jets win this game 4-2. I am going to stay away from the total goals because the Over/Under was set rather high at 6. Winnipeg is without Blake Wheeler, who is out indefinitely, so the Jets are losing 10 goals and 32 points in the lineup.

For my Free Picks and predictions, I like Winnipeg with the Money Line (-115), although if you believe in the power of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl to rack up the points, the Oilers (-105) should get some interest on the Money Line too.

I think the safest bet is taking Edmonton (-257) with the Puck Line (+1.5) because I don’t see them losing by more than two goals.

The projected goaltenders are Mike Smith (14-4-2) for Edmonton and Connor Hellebuyck (21-11-3) for Winnipeg. Hellebuyck has a 2-2 record against Edmonton this season and a rather high 3.79 goals-against average.  Smith is 2-0 against Winnipeg with a 3.37 GAA.

• The first period has been Winnipeg’s strongest period since April 1.
• Edmonton has scored only two goals in the first period over the past 5 games.
• The total has gone Under in 7 of Edmonton’s last 7 games.
• Winnipeg is 5-1 Straight Up in their last 6 games.