The Winnipeg Jets will try to even up their qualification round series with the Calgary Flames Monday at Rogers Place in Edmonton. The puck will drop for Game 2 at 2:30 p.m. ET. We analyze the Jets-Flames NHL betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.
Jets vs. Flames: Projected starting goalies
Connor Hellebuyck vs. Cam Talbot
In a postseason filled with surprising goaltending decisions thus far, the Jets and Flames should both be staying with what worked in Game 1.
Hellebuyck took the loss but stopped 29 of 32 shots on goal. He was among the most reliable goaltenders in the regular season with a .922 save percentage and 2.57 goals against average across 56 starts and two relief appearances.
Talbot stopped 17 of the meager 18 shots he faced in Game 1 and will give head coach Geoff Ward little reason to pivot to David Rittich. Talbot now has a .944 SV% and 2.39 GAA across 16 career playoff games.
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Jets vs. Flames: Odds, picks and betting tips
Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated Monday at 5 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Jets 4, Flames 2
Moneyline (ML)
Expect a spirited effort from the Jets (+125) after losing C Mark Scheifele to a hit from Flames W Matthew Tkachuk in Game 1. The Flames (-150) were able to control play the rest of the way and finished the game with 50 of the 95 total shots attempted by both teams.
The two teams met just once in the regular season with the Jets earning a 2-1 overtime victory. Winnipeg still has plenty of talent on the wings and could even shift Blake Wheeler to center to help compensate for Scheifele’s expected absence for at least one game.
Back the JETS (+125) to pull even in the series.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Jets to win in regulation or overtime would return a profit of $12.50 with a victory.
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
Liking Winnipeg to win the game outright, I’m going to take the alternate puck line of JETS -1 (+240). If Winnipeg wins by two or more goals, a $10 bet on the spread would return a profit of $24. If they win by just a single goal, the investment would be refunded as a push.
The Jets gave up two power-play goals and a shorthanded marker in Game 1. Expect a more disciplined performance and better play on special teams with the pressure already on in this abbreviated five-game series.
Over/Under (O/U)
Lean slightly to the OVER 5.5 (+105) for a slightly-better than even-money return on your investment. Talbot wasn’t pressured much and saw just 18 shots in his first meaningful game in over four months.
The Jets will make life more difficult for him in Game 2 and more shots will lead to more goals with the rust not being fully shaken off in Saturday’s series opener.
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