Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are scheduled and offers insight and analysis to help predict who will be victorious in head-to-head matchups. In this round of NHL Predictions we are looking at the game between the Winnipeg Jets vs. Tampa Bay Lightning. Be sure to check out more NHL Predictions as the 2024-25 season continues.
NHL Predictions
Winnipeg Jets vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
Time: 7:00 p.m Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: TSN3, FDSNSUN
This will be the second and final meeting between these two teams this season. The Winnipeg Jets (15-1-0) beat the Tampa Bay Lightning (7-6-1) by a score of 7-4 in Winnipeg, Manitoba earlier in November. The Lightning will be looking to return the favour in this game. They will be in tough against the history making Jets, who became the quickest team in NHL history to win 15 games after beating the New York Rangers 6-3 on Tuesday night.
The Jets Just Don’t Lose
The Jets have put the win in Winnipeg so far this season. They have been victorious in 15 of their first 16 games. As one could expect with such a dominant start, the Jets are first in goals for and goals against. Connor Hellebuyck looks well on his way to winning another Vezina Trophy, while even garnering some early season Hart Trophy buzz. Meanwhile, the offence is producing 4.56 GF/GP. Both Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele are on pace for career best seasons leading the Jets high flying offence. They have received lots of support from others in the top six including Gabriel Vilardi and Nikolaj Ehlers. This has led to a power play that is almost scoring on every other opportunity converting at 42.2%. With such a deep forward group it makes it hard for opponents to matchup against them.
So, how does an opponent find a weakness in such a well rounded opponent? Look for Tampa to try an exploit the Jets penalty kill. While not bad at 81.6%, this may be the weakest link on a Winnipeg team displaying very few holes. The Lightning power play isn’t as potent as in years past, but if they are able to take advantage of their opportunities, it could lead to the Jets second loss. The only other hope for any Jets opponent is the fact Winnipeg can’t do this all season and they catch them on an off night.
Rest vs. Rust For Tampa Bay
The Tampa Bay Lightning are winless in November, going 0-3-1. They haven’t played a game since losing 2-1 in overtime to the Philadelphia Flyers last Thursday, giving them an entire week off. The coaches are probably thankful for the practice time but, with that kind of losing stretch the players probably would have preferred to get back into game action much sooner. Although the extra time off may help some of the injured Lightning players recover, especially Brayden Point. He hasn’t played since the teams first game against Winnipeg, missing the last two games.
Whoever is in the Lightning lineup will need their best game against the Jets. If Point isn’t healthy enough to play look for Nikita Kucherov and Jake Guentzel to continue to carry the load offensively. Without Point, an already top-heavy lineup becomes much weaker, adding importance to the power play. Point would usually have a major role there too but the Lightning have enough firepower to still be dangerous up a man. If he does play, Tampa Bay becomes a much more dangerous team in all areas. The X-Factor will need to be Andrei Vasilevskiy. He will need to be Tampa Bay’s best player to give them the greatest chance of winning.
NHL Predictions Bolts versus High-Flying Jets
The Tampa Bay Lightning haven’t been considered the second-best team heading into a game often over the past decade. However, they will be tonight. It will be interesting to watch how they start coming off such a long break. They will need their best game, and even that may not be enough. For the Jets they have to avoid a letdown and keep playing the way they have been all season. Expect them to be the better team at 5-on-5. If they are able to win the special teams battle as well their winning streak should continue.
Prediction: Jets win 4-2
Prop Bets of The Night
The Jets are slight underdogs on the money line at -105 heading into this game on FanDuel Sportsbook. Seems a bit disrespectful to a team that has won 15 of 16. Yes the winning ways have to end, but tonight just doesn’t seem like the night. Good value there. Gabriel Vilardi has been hot scoring in three of his last four games. He is +220 as an anytime goal scorer.
Main Photo Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports
Please play responsibly, check for your local rules and age restrictions, some jurisdictions require ages 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
