Game Preview

The 2023-24 NHL season continues with an exciting matchup on Wednesday, October 11, as the Winnipeg Jets face off against the Calgary Flames in a Western Conference showdown at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta. The puck is set to drop at 10:00 PM ET.

Calgary enters this game as the favorite with a -130 moneyline. The over/under line is set at 6.5 goals. The Flames aim to secure their second consecutive win over the Jets, with a recent history of three wins in their last five meetings.

Winnipeg Jets' Outlook

During the previous regular season, the Winnipeg Jets posted a record of 46-33-3, earning them the 8th seed in the Western Conference. However, their journey in the 2023 Stanley Cup was cut short, as they were eliminated by the Vegas Golden Knights in five games.

The Jets faced challenges in the 2022-23 season, ranking 21st in the NHL in goals scored, averaging 3.00 per game. On the defensive end, they allowed an average of 2.73 goals, placing them tenth in the league. Kyle Connor was the standout performer with 80 points, but he faced defensive struggles with a minus-11 rating. Mark Scheifele contributed significantly with 42 goals but had a minus-16 rating.

The Jets continue to rely on their defensive strengths, anchored by Connor Hellebuyck, who will start in goal. Hellebuyck boasts a strong track record with a 2.49 GAA and a .920 save percentage last season, maintaining a save percentage above .900 for eight consecutive seasons.

Calgary Flames' Perspective

The Calgary Flames had a disappointing 2022-23 campaign, finishing ninth in the Western Conference with a 38-27-17 record, just two points behind the Winnipeg Jets. Their season was marked by numerous overtime/shootout losses, leading to the decision to replace head coach Darryl Sutter with Ryan Huska.

Offensively, the Flames averaged 3.15 goals per game (19th in the NHL) during the previous season. They struggled with the league's lowest shooting percentage at 8.8%. In the goaltending department, they ranked 23rd in save percentage with .890. Jacob Markstrom, who posted a 2.92 GAA and a .892 save percentage, is expected to guard the net against the Jets.

While Tyler Toffoli played a pivotal role last season with 34 goals and 39 assists, he was traded to the New Jersey Devils in the offseason. Keep an eye on centers Elias Lindholm and Mikael Backlund, who combined for 41 goals and 79 assists in the 2022-23 season.

Prediction

In this upcoming clash, our focus turns to the puck line, with the Winnipeg Jets having a +1.5 advantage. The Jets showed resilience and competitive spirit in their previous season, and despite facing a formidable Flames team, they have the potential to keep the game close.

Considering the history of closely contested games between these two teams, betting on the Jets to cover the +1.5 puck line appears to be a smart choice. This could be a closely fought battle, and the Jets are well-positioned to avoid a significant margin of defeat.

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Pick: Jets +1.5