NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction: Jets vs. Flames (February 21)

Jets vs. Flames Odds

As the Winnipeg Jets kick off a four-game road trip and make a desperate push for a playoff spot, they've got a date with the hottest team in the the NHL on Monday.

Here's the latest on the Jets and the red-hot Calgary Flames, who are set to square off for a matinee on the province of Alberta's Family Day holiday.

Jets Begin Ascension For Playoff Push

The Winnipeg Jets have been busy since the All-Star break — and pretty good, too. They've run up a 4-2-1 record against some tough division rivals, with wins over Nashville, Seattle and Minnesota (twice).

A resurgent Blake Wheeler is the NHL's top scorer since the break, with 13 points. Mark Scheifele's 11 points put him in a four-way tie for second, and Kyle Connor isn't far behind with nine. Connor Hellebuyck is also looking like his usual All-Star self again, with his .929 save percentage and 2.34 goals-against average.

But is it enough?

There's a logjam in the Western Conference playoff picture. Colorado's in its own tier. Then, there are 11 teams within 12 points of each other, fighting for seven playoff spots.

The Jets sit at the bottom of that group with 52 points — suddenly a daunting seven points out of the second wild-card position, and with two teams to pass.

To stay in the hunt, they'll have to be nearly perfect on this upcoming road trip.

Connor Hellebuyck should get the start on Monday, but injuries continue to be an issue for the Jets. Nikolaj Ehlers remains sidelined with a sprained MCL, and Andrew Copp is listed as day-to-day after missing the last two games with an upper-body injury.

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Post All-Star Flames Burn Bright

The Flames will be wrapping up a seven-game homestand on Monday, looking to run the table. They're a perfect 6-0-0 since the All-Star break and have ridden a league-high nine-game winning streak to top spot in the Pacific Division.

Saturday's 2-1 win over the Seattle Kraken marked the first time since the break that Calgary didn't cover the puck line. Since Feb. 6, the Flames are first in the league in goals per game (5.00), tied with the Rangers for first in goals against (1.50) and third in expected goals percentage at 5-on-5 (behind only Florida and Colorado). They're also clicking at 26.7% on the power play, riding a 93.3% penalty kill, and Jacob Markstrom has given up seven goals in five games for a 1.43 goals-against average and .953 save percentage. All are very impressive numbers.

The Flames made their first trade-deadline move last week, picking up scoring winger Tyler Toffoli from the Montreal Canadiens. He scored in his first game in a Calgary uniform last Tuesday, but he has been held pointless in two games since.

Calgary's current dominance is a testament to what a well-constructed lineup can do in the NHL when it's firing on all cylinders. After going through that brutal COVID outbreak before Christmas, the Flames are now fully healthy.

Jets vs. Flames Pick

At first glance, this game looks like a slam dunk for Calgary. But no streak lasts forever. And in the one previous meeting between these two teams this season, Winnipeg came back from a 2-0 deficit to earn a 4-2 win at the Saddledome on Nov. 27, fueled by a pair of goals from Kyle Connor.

At -215, there isn't much value on the home side, either. The oddsmakers are pegging Calgary to win this game more than 68% of the time.

If you feel like Winnipeg's desperation could lead to an upset, you'll get good value from backing the Jets. Otherwise, place your focus on the likely goaltending duel between Markstrom and Hellebuyck, and grab the under.

Pick: Under 6 | Play to -125