The Winnipeg Jets host the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday evening at the Canada Life Centre, and the NHL odds list Winnipeg as a -200 favorite.
Winnipeg has dominated this matchup over the past couple of seasons, winning each of the past four meetings with each victory coming by at least a three-goal margin. My Jets vs. Red Wings predictions believe that this trend will continue Saturday night.
Read on for my NHL picks for January 4.
Jets vs Red Wings prediction
My Jets pick
Jets -1.5 (+131 at Pinnacle)
My Jets analysis
In all measurable aspects, the Winnipeg Jets are the superior team in this contest. Perhaps the most glaring difference between these two clubs is in net, as goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is slated to start between the pipes for Winnipeg.
The reigning Vezina Trophy winner is not only the overwhelming favorite to go back-to-back, but he is also starting to enter the Hart Trophy conversation. Hellebuyck is simply the best goaltender in the world, and he is 24-5-2 through 31 starts this season with a .927 SV% and 2.06 GAA.
This success is likely to continue against a poor Detroit Red Wings offense that ranks 25th in goals scored per game and 24th in xGF/60. Hellebuyck is 3-0 over his past three starts against Detroit with a .939 SV%.
The Jets won all three of those games by at least a three-goal margin.
Meanwhile, Alex Lyon is projected to start across the ice. Lyon fails to measure up to Hellebuyck, posting a .899 SV% through 14 appearances this season and a .793 SV% in his lone career start against Winnipeg.
In that meeting, Detroit suffered a 6-2 loss.
Not only do the Jets boast the goaltending and offensive advantage, but they possess the superior blue line as well. Winnipeg ranks 14th in xGA/60, while the Red Wings rank 25th.
That just leaves home ice, which is yet another advantage for the Jets.
Jets vs Red Wings odds analysis
Winnipeg opened as a -200 favorite. I believe the market will inflate this line further, due to all of the aforementioned variables.
The total opened at 5.5. The juice is on the Over, and considering that we won’t see a total of five, the only direction that this line is moving is up.
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Jets vs Red Wings odds
Jets vs Red Wings live odds
Jets vs Red Wings opening odds
- Puck line: Winnipeg -1.5 (+131) | Detroit +1.5 (-151)
- Moneyline: Winnipeg -200 | Detroit +174
- Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-117) | Under 5.5 (+102)
Odds courtesy of Pinnacle
Jets vs Red Wings trend
Winnipeg has won the past four meetings between these two teams, with all victories coming by at least a three-goal margin. Find more NHL betting trends for Jets vs. Red Wings.
How to watch Jets vs Red Wings
| Location: | Canada Life Centre, Winnipeg, MB |
| Date: | Saturday, 1-4-2025 |
| Puck drop: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | SNW |
Jets vs Red Wings latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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