The Nashville Predators (40-30-8) travel to meet the Winnipeg Jets (43-32-3) Saturday. Puck drop from Canada Life Centre is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Predators vs. Jets odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Predators posted a 3-0 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes last time out Thursday, its 2nd consecutive win on home ice. As such, Nashville keeps its hopes alive for a wild card spot in the Western Conference.
The Preds have 88 points with 4 games remaining in the regular season, 1 point back of the Calgary Flames and Jets for the final card in the West. A big question is whether D Roman Josi (upper body) can return Saturday after being out since March 18.
The Jets have registered back-to-back wins over the Detroit Red Wings and New Jersey Devils by a combined score of 12-3, and Winnipeg could really be in the driver’s seat for a playoff spot with a win against Nashville.
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Predators at Jets odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Predators +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Jets -175 (bet $175 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Predators +1.5 (-175) | Jets -1.5 (+145)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)
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Predators at Jets projected goalies
Juuse Saros (31-22-7, 2.71 GAA, .918 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Connor Hellebuyck (34-25-2, 2.57 GAA, .918 SV%, 3 SO)
Saros turned aside all 33 of his shots in a 3-0 win against the Hurricanes Thursday, his 2nd shutout of the season. He is 2-1-0 with a 2.00 GAA and .926 SV% with the shutout in 3 starts in April, keeping Nashville’s postseason hopes afloat with hot play.
Hellebuyck was on the short end of a 3-1 loss against the Calgary Flames Wednesday at CLC, stopping 32 of 35 shots. He has allowed 3 or fewer goals in 11 consecutive starts, but he has just 6 wins to show for his efforts due to a lack of offensive support lately. The Jets have scored 3 or fewer goals in 9 of his past 11 outings.
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Predators at Jets picks and predictions
Prediction
Jets 3, Predators 2
Moneyline
The JETS (-175) come with a bit of a steep price tag, but Winnipeg is the play in this crucial Western Conference battle.
Hellebuyck stopped 18 of the 20 shots he faced in a 3-2 OT win in Nashville in the most-recent meeting March 18. He also stopped 39 of 41 shots in a 2-1 loss Jan. 24 in the Music City. Hellebuyck has been strong against the Predators (+145), and he’ll do so again Saturday.
Puck line/Against the spread
The PREDATORS +1.5 (-175) are a little pricey on the puck line in this road matchup. Nashville is 9-4 in the past 13 games as an underdog on the puck line. I like Winnipeg more on the money line, but if you need a little insurance on the road team, the puck line isn’t a bad play on Nashville.
Over/Under
UNDER 5.5 (+100) is the best play on the board in this matchup, which is likely to have a playoff-like feel.
The Under is 5-1-1 in the past 7 games for the Predators, while going 4-0-1 in the past 5 games against teams with a winning overall record.
For the Jets, the Under is 9-1-2 in the past 12 games inside the Central Division, and 7-3 in the past 10 meeting with the Predators. The Under is also 4-1 in the past 5 meetings in Winnipeg, too.
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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