Jets vs Golden Knights Game 2 Odds, Picks, and Predictions: Marchessault Makes Amends

The Winnipeg Jets stunned many NHL fans and bettors when they blew out the Vegas Golden Knights 5-1 in Game 1 of their quarterfinal series at T-Mobile Arena on Tuesday night.

Winnipeg will try to take a 2-0 series lead into their own barn when they battle Vegas in Game 2 on Thursday evening.

Can the Golden Knights shake off a poor start to this series? Find out in our free NHL picks and predictions for Jets vs Golden Knights Game 2 on Thursday, April 20.

Jets vs Golden Knights Game 2 odds

Jets vs Golden Knights series odds

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook as of April 20, 2023.

Jets vs Golden Knights Game 2 predictions

The Vegas Golden Knights losing the series opener to the Winnipeg Jets was a setback, but the way they lost it had to be demoralizing. The Knights were outscored 3-0 in the third period and managed a mere two shots on goal. In fact, Vegas was held to a season-low 17 shots in a thorough defeat. 

It goes without saying that the Golden Knights will need to get more shots on net if they want to defeat Connor Hellebuyck and the Jets in Game 2. That offensive effort is likely to start with Jonathan Marchessault.

Marchessault was surprisingly blanked in terms of shots on goal on Tuesday, though he did tally an assist on Vegas’ lone goal scored by William Karlsson in the second frame. That marked only the third time in 77 games that Marchessault failed to record a single shot this season.

The Quebec City native was the team leader in shots on the goal during the regular season, amassing 234, or 3.1 shots per game. That latter number was slightly higher at home this year (3.3). 

Marchessault played Winnipeg three times in the regular season and cleared 2.5 shots on all three occasions, totaling 10 shots in those affairs. He also gathered three goals and an assist against the Jets in those three games, so the Over on his NHL player props for total points tonight (0.5 at -122) appeals as well.

However, Hellebuyck is one of the hardest goalies to beat in the NHL, so the safer play is to back Marchessault to simply pepper the Jets netminder with shots.

My best bet: Marchessault Over 2.5 shots on goal (-135 at DraftKings)

Jets vs Golden Knights Game 2 moneyline analysis

The Jets rewarded their backers at +143 in Game 1, but chalk players are unperturbed, as they’ve knocked the Knights down around 20 cents from a consensus opening line of -144. 

The “zig-zag theory” is always in play at this time of year, but the value doesn’t appear to be there on Vegas. While it’s true the Golden Knights won all three of their head-to-head matchups with Winnipeg this year, all three contests occurred before Christmas, and two of them were decided by the narrowest of margins. The Jets had beaten the Knights five straight times prior to this season.

Winnipeg closed out the year on a 5-1 SU run behind Hellebuyck. They were one of the streakiest teams in hockey, as they posted eight separate winning streaks of at least three games this season. 

The Jets’ offense could get a shot in the arm too if Nikolaj Ehlers is activated for Game 2, as the left winger notched 38 points in 45 games this year. 

I expect Vegas to come out with a much better effort tonight, but it may not be enough.

Jets vs Golden Knights Game 2 Over/Under analysis

Game 1 of this series went Over the total of 5.5 thanks to two goals inside the final two minutes off the stick of Winnipeg’s Adam Lowry, one of which found an empty net. That had to be a frustrating defeat for Under bettors, who have come back to pound the juice down anywhere from five to 20 cents on tonight’s total of 5.5, depending on your sportsbook of choice. 

There’s a slew of trends to support the Under tonight, which is 38-13-4 in the Jets’ last 55 overall, including a 23-6-1 mark in their last 30 road games. The Golden Knights have gone below the total in 10 of their last 12 following a loss of three or more goals, and six of their last eight after allowing five or more goals in their previous contest.

Vegas’ Laurent Brossoit didn’t quite look ready for primetime in his first playoff start in goal, but it’s possible he gets over the butterflies in his stomach in Game 2 and matches Hellebuyck save-for-save. I’m also expecting the Knights to have more time of possession in enemy territory after getting bossed around in that area on Tuesday, but Hellebuyck’s resume speaks for itself, and he shouldn’t give up much here.

Jets vs Golden Knights betting trend to know

Jonathan Marchessault has exceeded 2.5 shots on goal in seven of his last 10 games overall. Find more NHL betting trends for Jets vs Golden Knights.

Jets vs Golden Knights Game 2 game info

Jets vs Golden Knights Game 2 injuries

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