The Winnipeg Jets and Edmonton Oilers play Game 1 of their Stanley Cup Playoffs first-round series Wednesday. Puck drop is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET at Rogers Place. Below, we analyze the Jets-Oilers odds and lines, with NHL picks and predictions.
The Jets dropped each of their past six meetings with the Oilers. They were outscored 12-2 in the final three outings, all in April. G Mike Smith recorded the win in two of those three games.
The key for the Oilers (surprise!) was C Connor McDavid. His most recent hat trick was April 26 in Winnipeg. He posted 7 goals and 22 points with a plus-14 rating in nine regular-season meetings while posting 2 or more points in each outing.
Jets at Oilers: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:10 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Jets +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Oilers -155 (bet $155 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Jets +1.5 (-190) | Oilers -1.5 (+155)
- Over/Under: 6 (O: +100 | U: -120)
Jets at Oilers: Projected starting goalies
Connor Hellebuyck (24-17-3, 2.58 GAA, .916 SV%, 4 SO) vs. Mike Smith (21-6-2, 2.31 GAA, .923 SV%, 3 SO)
Hellebuyck was actually better on the road than he was at home in the regular season. He went 13-7-1 with a 2.44 GAA and .925 SV% with three shutouts in 21 games as a visitor. He struggled against the Oilers, however, and was 2-5-0 with a 3.96 GAA and .877 SV% in seven games. It was easily his worst GAA and SV% against any opponent.
Smith won four of his final five regular-season starts. He also allowed just 1 goal on 37 shots in his most recent showing against Jets April 26, winning a 6-1 game in Winnipeg. He has four straight victories against Winnipeg.
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Oilers at Jets: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Oilers 5, Jets 3
Money line (ML)
The OILERS (-155) are moderate favorites to get this playoff series off on the right foot. I expect to see plenty of offense, with perhaps some nervous times for Edmonton backers. Eventually, their offense takes over for the win.
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Against the spread (ATS)
The OILERS -1.5 (+155) are a nice value at this price on home ice, although it might actually take an empty-net goal late to flip this result in your favor. As a result, I’d go lightly on this wager.
Over/Under (O/U)
OVER 6 (+100) is a good play at even money, as McDavid, C Leon Draisaitl and company should be able to produce plenty of offense in Game 1. The Over cashed in four of the final five games of the regular season for the Oil.
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