Face-off: 2000 ET, 25/03/2022
Arena: Canada Life Centre
Winnipeg let us down badly when beaten by Ottawa last night but can quickly recoup those losses by accounting for Columbus on home ice.
The Jets had won six of their previous eight contests and can still challenge for a wild card spot, so look worth sticking with for now.
We’re taking 2.35 for the hosts to prevail and over 5.5 goals in the game to kick off our Winnipeg Jets vs Columbus Blue Jackets predictions.
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Winnipeg Jets Odds
Winnipeg were tied at 1-1 with the Senators halfway through the third period but fell apart to eventually go down 5-2.
Three goals in just over the same number of minutes dashed the Jets’ hopes of completing a hat-trick of wins.
Forward Nikolaj Ehlers said: “At this time of year, with the position that we’re in, we want to get on a run, but this is not an easy league to do that in.
“There are some pretty good teams and Ottawa was great tonight, there’s no way around that.
“We played into how they want to play and we didn’t play the hockey that we need to play to win games.”
Winnipeg were possibly guilty of trying to be too elaborate going forward and that resulted in too many turnovers.
Hopefully, getting back to basics should do the trick and we’re taking 6.75 for them to oblige by exactly two goals from the NHL odds.
Columbus Blue Jackets Odds
Columbus played with great spirit during a recent 4-1-0 hot streak but Tuesday’s 5-1 drubbing at Pittsburgh was a chastening experience.
Patrik Laine and Jack Roslovic should be fired up for this contest, though, having both been former first-round draft picks for the Jets.
They return to Winnipeg after being traded for Pierre-Luc Dubois and a third-round draft pick just over a year ago.
“I’m kind of nervous about which way to go – I haven’t been in the visitors’ locker room ever,” joked Laine.
“Playing against old teammates and in front of those great fans again, it will be fun.
“I think it was one of the coolest places I’ve ever played hockey. A full house every game and obviously the playoffs were the craziest thing I’ve ever experienced.”
The Blue Jackets should have their moments at Canada Life Centre, but we’re expecting Winnipeg’s greater hunger and desire to prove decisive.
Let’s add 3.1 for a home win in regular time and both teams to net at least twice to our NHL predictions, along with 18.0 for a 4-2 scoreline.
Additional stats
Last result:
WINNIPEG 2-5 Ottawa
Pittsburgh 5-1 COLUMBUS
Season head-to-head: Columbus 3-0 Winnipeg
