Chicago Blackhawks at Winnipeg Jets odds, picks and predictions

The Chicago Blackhawks (0-1-0) and Winnipeg Jets (1-0-0) hit the ice in a Central Division tussle Friday. The contest at the Canada Life Centre will start at 8 p.m. (ESPN). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Blackhawks vs. Jets odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.

Season series: 1st meeting; Winnipeg went 3-0-1 in last season’s 4-game series

Chicago lost 5-2 in its season opener at the Utah Hockey Club Tuesday. Defensive-zone turnovers loomed large in the Blackhawks loss. MoneyPuck.com pegged the ‘Hawks with 11 such turnovers.

The Jets had 6 players find the net in a 6-0 rout at the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday. Winnipeg registered the big haul despite being held to 20 shots on goal.

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Blackhawks at Jets odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NHL odds. Lines last updated at 8:39 a.m. ET.

• Moneyline: Blackhawks +185 (bet $100 to win $185) | Jets -225 (bet $225 to win $100)
• Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Blackhawks +1.5 (-130) | Jets -1.5 (+110)
• Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: +100 | U: -120)

Blackhawks at Jets projected goalies

Arvid Soderblom vs. Connor Hellebuyck (1-0-0, 0.00 GAA, 1.000 SV%)

Soderblom would be making his 1st appearance of the season. In 2023-24, he went 5-22-2 with 3.92 GAA and .879 SV%.

Hellebuyck stopped 30-of-30 shots in the Jets’ Wednesday lid-lifter against the Oilers. Last season, the now-31-year-old logged his 2nd straight .920 SV% season (.921) en route to earning the Vezina Trophy.

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Blackhawks at Jets picks and predictions

Prediction

Jets 3, Blackhawks 2

Lots of juice here: PASS.

Winnipeg should be a Central Division contender while Chicago perhaps ascends to the type of club that at times looks worthy of the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference. But the ‘Hawks have played the Jets into overtime in 2 of the last 3 series meetings. All 3 of those last 3 meetings, including 1 Chicago win, were 1-goal games.

A couple of expected-goals measures had the Blackhawks having a pulse in 5-on-5 play Tuesday. That’s something to grab onto for a club that has struggled mightily in even-strength play in recent years.

FanDuel Sportsbook offers the best leverage here: BACK THE BLACKHAWKS +1.5 (-125).

The Under has cashed in 5 straight series games in Winnipeg. And the Under is 6-0 across the last 6 overall meetings.

Look for some gravity in Chicago’s defensive and Winnipeg’s offensive output displayed in the openers. The UNDER 6 (-120) has value.