NHL Playoffs Thursday Free Pick
Can Jets Continue to Surge at Home Thursday Against Nashville
It’s not know what kind of music genre that the Winnipeg Jets like, but a very catchy lyric they should be signing is “here’s to the past, she can kiss my glass.” The Jets had never won a postseason game (0-8) in the 18 year incarnation of their franchise (Atlanta Thrashers from 2000-2011) but after a 2-1 series lead, it could actually be a CUP that these players are kissing. Nashville knows they can’t afford a loss in the May 3rd NHL playoffs free pick but do they even have a choice in front of the Winnipeg Whiteout fans?
Preds In For a Much Closer Series Than Expected?
Nashville was one of the best teams in the NHL all season as evidenced by their 53-18-11 (117 points) and #1 seed in the Western Conference. What many fans might not have even been aware of until the 2018 postseason started was that the Jets were right behind them at 52-20-10 (114 points). The Predators were 3-1-1 against Winnipeg during the regular season, but find themselves in a 1-2 hole after dropping the series opener at home and Tuesday night’s 4-7 defeat in Winnipeg. Nashville knows that if they can win the May 3rd NHL playoffs free pick and get the series back on their home ice (28-9-4 this year) then this matchup is far from over.
During the regular season Nashville had a top 7 offense and the #2 defense in goals allowed per game. The offense hasn’t been a problem so far in this series with 10 goals in three games including nine in the last 2 contests. Unfortunately for Preds fans Pekka Rinne and the Predators defense has been the real liability with 15 goals given up in the three games.Winnipeg had a top 5 defense during the regular season, but the Preds can get to them behind Ryan Johansen (4 points this series), PK Subban (4 points) and Filip Forsberg (5 points) but can Rinne stop the Jets offense?
Can Winnipeg Get One Step Closer to a Conference Finals?
The Jets are close to their second playoff series win in franchise history and first berth in the Western Conference Finals – and their fans can feel it. Winnipeg had the best home record in the NHL during the regular season (32-7-2) and won all three games at the Bell MTS vs. Minnesota in round 1 by a combined score of 12-3. The Jets also won game 1 here in the second round Tuesday 7-4 after falling down 3-0 to Nashville in the 1st period. RW Blake Wheeler had two goals in that game and continues his stellar play with 6 points so far in the series.
As good as the Winnipeg offense has been so far in the playoffs, it’s their defense that sets the tide for the May 3rd NHL playoffs free pick. To reiterate, the Jets D hasn’t really stopped the Predators from scoring (10 goals so far) but their physicality that Winnipeg has shown has Nashville looking for answers. That being said they did pepper Jets G Connor Hellebuyck with 89 shots through the first two games, it’s just time to see a few more of them make their way into the net.
May 3rd NHL Playoffs Free Pick Betting
As expected the Jets are significant favorites on their home ice, with the line set at WIN -145. Believe it or not, the majority of bettors see more value in Nashville as they’re the favorite in public betting at 54%. It’s just hard to bet against Winnipeg at home, where they are 42-9 over their last 51 – especially in the insanity of the postseason.
Free Pick: Winnipeg Jets -145
