NHL Hockey Betting: Edmonton Oilers at Winnipeg Jets
Very entertaining Canada v. Canada matchup at the top of the betting board as the Edmonton Oilers travel to the ‘Heartland’ to take on the Winnipeg Jets. Edmonton is off to a solid start going 4-1-0 in their first five games. They’re tied for the lead in the Pacific Division and the Western Conference. Winnipeg is coming off a disappointing 2015-2016 season and they’re still finding rough going in the rugged Central Division. They’ve got a 2-2-0 record on the year and they face a difficult schedule for the rest of the month. After this game they play a home and home series against Dallas, at Colorado, home against Buffalo and a home and home set against the Washington Capitals.
The Jets’ biggest issue is goaltending. They’re tied for the second worst goals against (with Calgary, Philly and Ottawa) allowing 4.00 goals per game. Edmonton will never be a ‘shutdown defense’ but they’ve shown improvement and are #16 allowing 3.20 goals per game. Winnipeg is better on offense typed with three other teams for #7 at 3.50. Edmonton is tied with Montreal and Ottawa for #1 with 4.00 goals against.
Edmonton is off to a very good start and aside from their 6-2 loss at Buffalo they’ve played well in every game. To be fair, that game was coming off a back to back season opening series against their hated rival Winnipeg. Classic letdown spot. Jets have won 4 of the last 6 games head to head including 2 of 3 at Winnipeg. Oilers won two of three head to head last year winning 3-1 at home on 12/21/15 and 2-1 at Winnipeg on 3/6/16. Winnipeg’s win came on 2/13/16 2-1 at Northlands Colosseum in Edmonton.
If the Jets couldn’t handle the Oilers last year that doesn’t bode well for them doing it this year. Edmonton is going to be a ‘tough out’ for every opponent. Goaltending and defense are still a concern and they’ve underachieved on special teams. They’ve been very good at 5 on 5 offense and Connor McDavid is very quickly becoming the most unstoppable player in the game. If the Oilers can tighten up things on their end and improve special teams they’re a playoff team. Can’t say the same thing about Winnipeg.
BET EDMONTON OILERS +100 OVER WINNIPEG JETS
