NHL Odds, Expert Picks, Prediction: Jets vs. Bruins (December 22)
Mitchell Leff/Getty Images. Pictured: Linus Ullmark.
- The Jets head to Boston to face a Bruins team that has been dominant at home.
- Winnipeg has played well this season, but Boston is simply on a different level these days.
- Jonny Lazarus looks at the odds and offers up a betting pick below.
Jets vs. Bruins Odds
| Jets Odds | +180 |
| Bruins Odds | -225 |
| Over/Under | 6 |
| Time | 7 p.m. ET |
| TV | NESN |
The Winnipeg Jets are another dealing with a ton of injuries and might be without Connor Hellebuyck, Blake Wheeler, Nikolaj Ehlers and Nate Schmidt.
The Boston Bruins still haven't lost a game in regulation at home. The Bruins are playing the final game of a five-game home stand and would love to finish it on a strong note.
You have to give Winnipeg credit for how good it has been this year, but it's going to be very difficult for this shorthanded Jets team to slow down Boston.
As we've learned this year, it isn't smart to bet against the Bruins in Boston.
Winnipeg Jets
The Winnipeg Jets have had a fantastic start to the season, but are now facing a bit of adversity.
David Rittich is set to make his third straight start for the Jets. He split the first two games, but is skating to a 5-3-0 record with a .909 save percentage and 2.55 goals against average this season. It's safe to say he hasn't been as good as Connor Hellebuyck, but he's still been pretty solid.
Winnipeg typically relies on its number one goaltender, Hellebuyck, to help lead it to victory, but with Rittich in the blue paint, the Jets have to lean a little more on their offensive production. The Jets have had a successful year when it comes to goal scoring and are averaging 3.38 goals per game (9th). Their power play unit has also been a delight, converting 24.0% of the time (11th).
The Jets have scored 12 goals in their past three games, but generating scoring chances is going to be a little more challenging against the Boston Bruins.
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins have been an absolute joy to watch, especially on home ice. They are on an incredible run right now with points in 19 straight home games and still haven't lost in regulation at TD Garden.
Linus Ullmark is expected to get the start and he's arguably been the best goalie in the entire league. He enters this contest boasting a 18-1-1 record, a .937 save percentage and a 1.89 goals against average. He has won five of his past six starts and has only allowed 10 goals in the span. He's been absolutely lights out.
The Bruins have been on fire of late, scoring 16 goals in their past four games, with six of the 16 coming on the man advantage. David Pastrnak is buzzing for the Bruins, currently riding a nine-game point streak and tallying seven goals and four assists in that span.
The Bruins have the second-highest scoring offense in the league and the number-one defense, making them a very difficult team to play against on both ends of the ice.
Jets vs. Bruins Pick
Even if the Winnipeg Jets were fully healthy, the Bruins would still have a massive advantage in this matchup. But the fact that the Jets are dealing with numerous injuries gives me that much more confidence in Boston.
Linus Ullmark has been as close to perfect as humanly possible and so have the Bruins, when in Boston.
The Jets haven't had much luck in recent history against the Bruins. Dating back to 2020, they are winless in their past four tries against Boston.
Boston has been playing excellent hockey at even strength and special teams and when it comes down to it, I trust their guy in the blue paint completely. The Bruins should be able to get this win in 60 minutes.
Pick: Boston Bruins Three-Way (-145)
How would you rate this article?
Follow Us On Social
