The Winnipeg Jets (47-33-3) visit the Vegas Golden Knights (51-23-9) on Thursday for Game 2 of the Western Conference quarterfinals. Puck drop from T-Mobile Arena is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET (TBS). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Jets vs. Golden Knights odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Jets picked up one of the more unexpected playoff results in Game 1, winning 5-1.
After a scoreless 1st period, Kyle Connor and Pierre-Luc Dubois struck for even-strength goals to quite “The Fortress” in the first 2:26 of the 2nd period. William Karlsson got the crowd back into it, slicing the lead in half at 15:49 of the period.
However, the 3rd period was all Jets, as Blake Wheeler notched a goal at 3:53, and the Jets saw Adam Lowry bag a pair of empty-net goals to put an exclamation point on the 5-1 Game 1 victory.
Jets forward Morgan Barron was shoved into the crease by Chandler Stephenson, and his face landed on the skate of sprawling goaltender Laurent Brossoit. The blade obviously missed his eye, but he needed 75 stitches to close the gash. Is he out for the season? No, he is a hockey player. He returned with the bird cage, and finished the game with 3 shots and 5 hits.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]
Jets at Golden Knights Game 2 odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 9:26 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Jets +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Golden Knights -150 (bet $150 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Jets +1.5 (-200) | Golden Knights -1.5 (+165)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Stream the NHL all season on ESPN+, with your team’s out-of-market games, exclusive games, originals and more. Get ESPN+ now!
Jets at Golden Knights Game 2 projected goalies
Connor Hellebuyck (37-25-2, 2.49 GAA, .920 SV%, 4 SO – regular season) vs. Laurent Brossoit (7-0-3, 2.17 GAA, .927 SV% – regular season)
Hellebuyck was barely tested in Game 1, facing just 17 shots while allowing the Karlsson marker in the 2nd period. The Michigander picked up his 17th career NHL postseason win, and he has a 2.42 GAA and .921 SV% with 3 SO in his 36 career playoff starts.
Brossoit, who was Hellebuyck’s backup in Winnipeg for 3 seasons from 2018-20, is still in search of that 1st-ever NHL playoff win. In fact, Brossoit was making his 1st start in the playoffs in Game 1, with just a relief appearance in the 2017 playoffs with the Edmonton Oilers to his credit.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Jets at Golden Knights Game 2 picks and predictions
Prediction
Golden Knights 4, Jets 3
Moneyline
The GOLDEN KNIGHTS (-150) are moderate favorites in Game 2, and worth backing despite the obvious goaltender disparity. Hellebuyck has the experience, Brossoit has mostly watched postseason games with a ball cap, especially in his 3 seasons in Winnipeg.
Still, VGK is 12-4 in the last 16 games at home, while going 7-3 in the last 10 when allowing 3 or more goals in the previous outing. I expect Vegas to bounce back in a big way, as Brossoit gets that huge 1st-ever NHL playoff win.
Puck line/Against the spread
The Jets +1.5 (-200) will cost you 2 times your potential return, and that’s just too much risk and not enough reward. Winnipeg seized home-ice advantage in this series with a giant Game 1 win, but sweeping both games in Vegas is too much to ask. But, don’t expect this scrappy bunch to go quietly into the night, either.
PASS.
Over/Under
OVER 5.5 (-115) is the best play on the board. Vegas will get its offense jump-started in Game 2, feeding off the raucous crowd at T-Mobile Arena.
The Jets showed they can handle Brossoit, and many of the players like Connor, Mark Scheifele, Wheeler, etc. played with him, so they know his tendencies from years of practicing together. That is helpful for goal scorers, too.
I like a higher-scoring affair in Game 2.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1369]