The Winnipeg Jets are 0-2 over their last two home games since going 13-0 in their previous 13 games at home. The Jets hope to get back into the win column at home this Saturday night when they host the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference final.
Winnipeg is a -140 NHL betting favorite in Saturday’s Game 1 at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com. Vegas is going off at +120 to steal home ice with a win on the road.
Vegas Golden Knights at Winnipeg Jets
When: Saturday, May 12, 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Bell MTS Place, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Betting Line / Total: Winnipeg -140 / 5.5 Goals
Winnipeg Jets
The biggest question mark for the Jets heading into this postseason was how Connor Hellebuyck would respond to the pressure of the spotlight in the playoffs. Hellebuyck has passed the test so far with flying colors, stopping 36 of the 37 shots he faced in Game 7 against the Nashville Predators to lead Winnipeg to a 5-1 win and to improve to 8-4 this postseason with a 2.25 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage.
With Hellebuyck playing at a high level and the Jets tied for the top scoring offense in the postseason with 3.58 goals per game, Winnipeg is looking like a tough team to crack.
Since March 15, the Jets are 19-5 over their last 24 games per the OddsShark NHL Database.
Vegas Golden Knights
For the second straight series, the Golden Knights punched their ticket into the next round with a shutout victory on the road, this time in a 3-0 win over San Jose in Game 6. Vegas looks a lot more like a well-oiled machine than it does a Cinderella story, mowing through the first two rounds with an 8-2 record that includes a 4-1 record on the road.
Marc-Andre Fleury has been the best goaltender in the playoffs this season, leading the pack with a goals-against average of 1.53 and a save percentage of .951 thus far.
Saturday’s total is set at 5.5 goals. The UNDER is 9-5 in Winnipeg’s last 14 games.
When the top offense in the postseason clashes with the top goaltender in the postseason, something has to give. These two teams have reached this point due to their excellent depth and ability to roll four effective lines. This style of play should pave the way for a very entertaining series.
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