NHL betting preview (Dec. 10): Bruins vs. Jets odds
Join Daily Faceoff’s Andy MacNeil as he handicaps Tuesday’s matchup between the Boston Bruins and Winnipeg Jets.
Bruins vs. Jets Odds
- Boston Bruins Moneyline: +120
- Winnipeg Jets Moneyline: -145
- Puck Line: Bruins +1.5 (-225), Jets -1.5 (+180)
- Game Total: 5.5 (Over -115, Under -105)
Game odds via Sports Interaction.
Handicapping the Bruins (15-14 SU, 7-22 ATS, 13-15-1 O/U)
The Bruins have won seven of their past eight games against the Jets and might be catching Winnipeg at the right time on Tuesday. Boston has won seven of nine games since their coaching change, while Winnipeg has dropped six of its last nine.
Tuesday’s game kicks off a five-game Western Conference road trip for the Bruins, who are on a four-game win streak. One notable absence from Monday’s practice, though, was star forward David Pastrnak. The 28-year-old missed practice due to an upper-body injury, according to reporter Steve Conroy, but he’ll travel with the team and is hopeful to play.
Pastrnak, a former 60-goal scorer, is only on pace for 25 goals this season and has just one goal in his last 11 games. However, his shooting percentage (7.8) is half of his career average (13.7). Despite the slump, he still leads the team in shots, even over the last 10 games, so it’s only a matter of time before Boston’s top shooter starts scoring again. Plus, he’s still playing at nearly a point-per-game pace.
Jeremy Swayman hasn’t been performing at an elite level, but the Bruins’ defense has been exceptional. At five-on-five over the last month, Boston ranks second in expected goals against and sixth in shot attempts against per 60 minutes, which has helped it allow the 10th-fewest goals. Offensively, however, they’re in the bottom 10 for expected goals and shot attempts, leaving them with league-average production.
Handicapping the Jets (20-9 SU, 15-14 ATS, 12-16-1 O/U)
The Jets have played 11 of their last 14 games on the road, so they deserve some slack due to a tough schedule. That said, they followed that stretch with two of their worst home games back-to-back. Winnipeg lost 4-1 in what many called its worst game of the season, then bounced back with road wins in Buffalo and Chicago. But back in Winnipeg, the Jets suffered another 4-1 loss to the Blue Jackets, a team that had won just three of 14 road games before.
Winnipeg’s offense has been wildly inconsistent over the past month. After starting the season as the league’s highest-scoring team, the Jets have scored one or fewer goals in half of their last 16 games. In the other eight, they’ve scored at least three, and sometimes more. Since Nov. 7, only five teams have scored fewer goals per 60 minutes.
In October, the Jets had five players scoring more than a point per game, but since November, almost everyone has cooled off. Kyle Connor had nine goals and nine assists in his first 11 games but has just six goals in the 19 games since. Mark Scheifele and Gabriel Vilardi have stepped up, but the loss of Nikolaj Ehlers has hurt. Even after missing five games, Ehlers still ranks fourth on the team in scoring.
Defensively, the Jets have also struggled. After allowing two or fewer goals in nine of their first 15 games, they’ve given up three or more in 10 of their last 14. Since Nov. 12, Winnipeg ranks 23rd in goals against per 60 minutes, per Evolving Hockey, and Dylan Samberg’s absence hasn’t helped. Of course, Connor Hellebuyck continues to be great. Even over the last month, despite all of Winnipeg’s struggles, Hellebuyck still ranks first in goals saved above expected.
Best Bets for Bruins vs. Jets
- Morgan Geekie Anytime Goal (+500) at Sports Interaction
Morgan Geekie had just one goal and three assists in his first 18 games, but he’s been thriving on Boston’s top line with Pavel Zacha and David Pastrnak. Over his last six games, Geekie has three goals and two assists and is tied for third on the team in shots on goal over the past 10 games. The Manitoba native has never scored against the Jets, but with an above-average shot and a prime opportunity, that could change. That said, this player prop is a longshot, so I’ve cut my usual bet amount in half.