Sit back and relax, kick up your feet, crack a cold one, and fall deep into your cozy throne that is your recliner as you watch the Ottawa Senators square off against the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday evening. This matchup has every opportunity to be a thriller, especially with Winnipeg right in the thick of a potential postseason spot on the line. Another edition of our NHL odds series is here, so let's dive into our Senators-Jets prediction and pick.
Coming into Thursday's extremely important matchup, the Jets are a superb 6-2 in their last eight contests, drawing them closer and closer to a Wild Card spot that is currently occupied by the Dallas Stars. The Jets are currently only three points behind Dallas for that illustrious final playoff spot, and with the season approaching its final stages as we head for April, each win and loss will have a major impact moving forward. The Jets are coming off a convincing 4-0 shutout over a playoff-worthy team in the Vegas Golden Knights.
It hasn't been quite the season that head coach D.J. Smith had hoped for, as his Senators squad has limped their way to a below-average record of 22-36-5. Ottawa is capable of playing good hockey, but their inconsistency haunts them at an alarming rate. While their defense is among the middle of the pack compared to the rest of the NHL, their youthful lineup has a hard time generating offense.
Here are the Senators-Jets NHL Odds, Courtesy of FanDuel.
NHL odds: Senators-Jets Odds
Ottawa Senators: +1.5 (-140)
Winnipeg Jets: -1.5 (+114)
Over: 6.5 (-102)
Under: 6.5 (-120)
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Why the Senators Could Cover the Spread
With the lack of offense throughout the season, the Senators could cover the spread simply because of one man. Goaltender Anton Forsberg is fresh off a brand new contract extension that will keep him locked up in Ottawa for at least the next three years. Forsberg has been a lone bright spot on a n0n-contending team, posting a .918 save percentage while only allowing 2.75 goals per game.
Giving Forsberg much-needed relief has been Ottawa's defensive pursuit, as they play really well especially when their backs are up against the wall. More specifically, the penalty kill unit excels at their job, maintaining an 80.2% success rate in giving up goals when shorthanded. The offense isn't flashy and lacks pizazz, so it's doubtful that side of the puck will be responsible in covering the spread. Ottawa will need to keep the Jets in check from receiving second-chance opportunities after shots on net, as the deciding factor in this one will be Ottawa's defense and goaltending.
Why the Jets Could Cover the Spread
Overall, the Jets are the better team on paper and should have their way with the Senators from a talent perspective. It has been a roller-coaster ride of a season for Winnipeg, as they've been already been through a coaching change and played below expectations to start out the season.
Despite this, the Jets are primed to make a playoff run with one of the more talented rosters in the entire league. This does not bode well spread-wise for Ottawa, especially with the Jets' success over the last couple weeks.
Ironically, the Jets' strengths and weaknesses differ from those of the Senators, as Winnipeg boasts one of the best offenses but is horrendous defensively, giving up on average 3.03 goals a contest. The good news is that goaltender Connor Hellebuyck has been playing like a man possessed, as he is coming off one of his best games of the year in a 42-save effort versus Vegas. If it wasn't for Hellebuyck's outstanding goal-keeping presence, who knows where Winnipeg would be without him.
Final Senators-Jets Prediction & Pick
Based off each team's recent success, the belief is that the Jets should roll in this one. Not only are they a better all-around team, but they are riding a hot wave while Ottawa is down in the dumps. This is an easy pick, and unless Winnipeg puts up a ghastly effort in their own stadium, the Jets should be expected to cruise, keeping pace in the Wild Card race.
Final Senators-Jets Pick: Jets -1.5 (+114)
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