NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction: Jets vs. Stars (February 23)

Jets vs. Stars Odds

The Jets and Stars battled intensely on February 11th when the Dallas Stars snuck away with a 4-3 overtime win. Both teams are trying to catch up to the Predators in the standings because, as of today, neither of them is in a playoff position.

The Jets are in the midst of a four-game road trip. This will be their second game after losing to Calgary on Monday 3-1.

Dallas is coming off of a bad road loss against the last place team in the division, the Arizona Coyotes, in a game that Dallas dominated and should have won.

This matchup should have the intensity of a playoff game.

Winnipeg Jets Have Underachieved All Season

The Winnipeg Jets are 22-20-8 on the season and they currently sit in sixth place in the Central Division. There were high expectations going into the season for the Jets because they have an incredible roster on paper. Kyle Connor has been excellent offensively, leading the way with 54 points in 50 games.

Connor isn't the only weapon up front for the Jets as some other standouts on this roster offensively include Mark Scheifele, Blake Wheeler, Pierre-Luc Dubois. In the backend, they also have players with scoring ability like Nate Schmidt and Neil Pionk.

The Jets are only averaging 2.88 goals per game, which has them ranked 20th amongst in the league, but there is room for some positive regression as they are expected to score 3.13 goals per 60 minutes. The offense hasn't been there for Winnipeg in its last two games. They have only scored three goals on 47 combined shots in both games.

Connor Hellebuyck hasn't played up to his expectations in the blue paint according to his record, but he really hasn't been all that bad. Hellebuyck is 17-18-7 with a .914 Save Percentage and a +17.2 Goals Saved Above Expected.

In their last meeting in Dallas on February 11th, Hellebuyck stopped 31 of the 35 shots he faced but couldn't get his team the two points. He is expected to start in this one.

Dallas Stars Hoping to Avenge Coyotes Loss

Just like Winnipeg's, Dallas' offense has not looked its best in their previous two games. The Stars have only scored one goal on a combined 62 shots over that span. The Stars have the 21st ranked offense as they are averaging 2.86 goals per game. They are expected to score 2.87 goals per 60 minutes, so there doesn't seem to be higher expectations for them.

Dallas is currently 27-20-2, and they are currently one spot ahead of Winnipeg in the standings in fifth place in the Central Division. The Stars have been strong on home ice as they are 17-7-1 at the American Airlines Center.

Jake Oettinger is expected to get the nod in this one. The young net-minder has had a great season as he is 15-6-0 on the year with a .921 Save Percentage and a +4.2 GSAx. Oettinger has had a great last two games only allowing two goals on a combined 60 shots faced.

Jets vs. Stars Pick

Both contests between these two teams this year have lasted longer than 60 minutes, so it's challenging to feel confident in either side in this matchup. Both teams have had poor offensive performances in their last two games, and one strength for each team is its goaltending.

This game has major implications for the standings as well since they are neck and neck in the Central Division. I think the focus in this one will be the play of the guys in the crease. Hellebuyck and Oettinger will both stand on their heads, and this game stays close the entire way.

I'm going with the under.

Pick: Under 6 -120

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