NHL Pick: LA Kings at Winnipeg Jets
Overview
The LA Kings are in Winnipeg this afternoon where they take on the Jets. The Kings have won 3 of the last 4 meetings overall versus the Jets but they have won just 1 of the last 3 meetings in Winnipeg and if we go back even further when the Jets were the Atlanta Thrashers the Kings have won just 1 meeting on the road since 2003.
Head to Head Trends
Home team is 10-3 in the last 13 meetings.
Kings have won 3 of the last 4 meetings.
Winnipeg Jets (+110)
The Winnipeg Jets are 4th in the Central Division with 73 points and are currently in playoff spot but in the West there are 6 teams including the Jets within 6 points of each other all battling for the final 4 playoff spots so just a slight stumble and the Jets could easily find themselves out of the playoffs. If you look at the Jets last 11 games 7 of them have needed extra time and usually that means it’s either a good team that is currently struggling and not getting the bounces but will soon get hot or a bad team that is getting lucky and will probably stop getting the bounces and turn into a losing streak. In this case I just don’t think the Jets all that good of a team so I can see them going on a 2-8 or 3-10 stretch or something like that over the next few weeks.
Winnipeg Jets Trends
Jets are 4-10 in their last 14 vs. Pacific.
Jets are 2-6 in their last 8 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
LA Kings (-130)
The LA Kings are 3rd in the Pacific Division with 70 points and are one of the 6 teams battling for the final 4 playoff spots in the West. The Kings were red hot not too long ago winning 8 games in a row but they have lost their last 2 games since. The Kings have struggled on the road for most of the season but they have won 4 of their last 5 road games so I see that trend continuing today.
LA Kings Trends
Kings are 8-2 in their last 10 overall.
Kings are 4-1 in their last 5 road games.
Conclusion
I’m going with the Kings over the Jets in this one. After winning 8 games in a row the Kings have lost their last 2 and I don’t see them losing a third plus I feel that the Jets might be transitioning in a cold stretch and might struggle over the next few weeks.
Free pick: LA Kings -130