Once we get into the second half of the season in the NHL, we automatically begin to pay a little more attention to the match-ups on any given night, as this is the stage of the season when the divisional and playoff races begin to really heat up. When paying closer attention, one of the things that I tend to look at is when teams from opposing conferences go head to head, especially when both teams involved are likely to be in the playoffs.
We could, at any given time, be looking at a potential Stanley Cup Final match-up, and since these teams don’t meet that often, it’s always fun to see how things shake out when they do clash. The Boston Bruins are in one of the Wild Card spots in the Eastern Conference, while the Winnipeg Jets are sitting atop the Central Division in the Western Conference. This is certainly a good match-up, especially given how tight their previous meetings have been. The Bruins are in as a 1 ½ goal favorite, with the goal total set at 6.
Jets at Bruins NHL Week 18 Lines & Expert Analysis
#JetsTV’s @JamieThomasTV sets the stage for tonight’s action in Boston as the #NHLJets look to tame the Bruins. #WPGvsBOS pic.twitter.com/h8i3K9BbMA
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) 29 de enero de 2019
- When: Tuesday, January 29 at 7 PM EST
- Where: TD Garden, Boston
- TV: ESPN+
- Radio: TuneIn
- Live Stream: NHL.tv
- NHL Week 18 Lines: Winnipeg Jets -1.5 (Total 6)
Flyers vs Rangers NHL Week 18 Odds, Preview & Pick
Why bet on the Winnipeg Jets?
The All-Star Break probably came at just the right time for the Jets, as they were on a 2-game losing skid ahead of their week off. That poor little run allowed the Nashville Predators to draw level in the Central Division in what is quickly turning into a 2-horse race. This will be the first of 2 games against the Bruins this season, with the Jets winning just once in their last 5, with that victory coming late last season in a 5-4 game that went beyond regulation.
The bad news for the Jets is that each of the last 3 meetings with the Bruins went the way of the team with home ice advantage, but with a 13-10 record on the road, the Jets are certainly equipped to go into TD Garden and get the win.
Team Stats
Offense- Goals: 3.43
- Shots: 31.98
- PP/PK Percentage: 26.14
Defense
- Goals: 2.80
- Shots: 32.61
- PP/PK Percentage: 18.54
Why bet on the Boston Bruins?
While the Boston Bruins may be down in the #4 spot in the Atlantic Division, they are still in a position where they can easily rise above their current Wild Card status. The Tampa Bay Lightning already essentially have the division locked up, but things tighten up dramatically behind the leaders, with the Bruins sitting just 3 points back of the Maple Leafs in second. As far as the Wild Card goes, the Bruins are in decent shape, sitting 5 points up on the chasing pack.
Boston has been solid enough in their last 10 games, going 6-3-1, but it is home ice where they have really shone this season, going 17-7-1 in their own building. The Bruins have dominated teams from the West, posting an 11-4-3 record against their opposite conference, while also going 5-2-1 versus teams from the Central Division.
Team Stats
Offense- Goals: 2.92
- Shots: 33.14
- PP/PK Percentage: 27.22
Defense
- Goals: 2.61
- Shots: 30.49
- PP/PK Percentage: 19.29
Jets at Bruins NHL Week 18 Betting Trends
- Winnipeg is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
- Winnipeg is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
- The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Winnipeg’s last 23 games when playing Boston
- Boston is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home
- Boston is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games at home
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston’s last 6 games at home
Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction for Jets at Bruins
This should be a fun game to watch, with the likelihood of goals very much on the cards. I am taking the Bruins to win at home, but they may need OT, just like the previous 2 meetings between these teams required. I also like the OVER here.
Score: Winnipeg Jets 3 – Boston Bruins 4
