New York Islanders vs Winnipeg Jets: Predictions, Odds and Roster Notes

Where: Bell MTS Place – Winnipeg, MB., Canada

When: Thursday, March 28, 8PM EST.

How (TV/Radio): TSN3, MSG+ | TSN 1290, WFAN

New York Islanders (Away)

Head Coach: Barry Trotz {All-Time 806-593-60-141 NYI, WAS, NSH}

The New York Islanders are playing solid hockey heading into the playoff race. At the time of writing, the Isles are 44-25-7 on the season; going 6-4-0 in their last ten games and winning their last two games in a row. They are second-place in the Metropolitan division with 95 points.

Statistically, we are looking at a very interesting style matchup between these two teams. Where the Islanders struggle on offense, the Jets struggle on defense. The Islanders are towards the bottom of the league in most offensive stats – their highest ranking being their 12th overall shooting percentage. The Isles are 29th in shots for and 21st in goals scored. Their powerplay is ranked 29th in the league, which has been a very hot topic as of late, and they only have a 47 per cent success rate in the faceoff circle, putting them in the 28th position.

On defense, these numbers swap out. Their defense ranks higher in all major stats than the Jets. They allow the tenth fewest shots against, take fewer penalty minutes, and have a more successful penalty kill. Oh yea – they also rank first in the entire league for fewest goals allowed – averaging lower than 2.4 per game.

Goaltender Robin Lehner is expected to get the start against the Winnipeg Jets. Lehner is currently 22-12-5 on the season. He boasts a 2.17 goals against average and has a .928 save percentage. Lehner has managed five shutouts so far this season.

Winnipeg Jets (Home)

Head Coach: Paul Maurice {All-Time 693-616-99-115 WPG, CAR, TOR, HAR}

The Winnipeg Jets are currently 45-27-4 on the season and, like their opponents in this matchup, have gone 6-4-0 in their last ten games. It was during that ten game stretch in which the Winnipeg Jets clinched their playoff spot. They lead the Central division with 94 points.

The Jets will need to heavily rely on their offense, as noted above, in this matchup as their defense (which is without star Dustin Byfuglien) has been struggling. The Jets allow the 14th most goals against and rank 27th in the league for shots against. They also have to be careful taking penalties as they average over nine minutes of penalty time per game (ranked 28th) and their penalty kill is only ranked 22nd.

The Jets power play is a different story. Ranked fifth in the league, Winnipeg has a 25.5 per cent success rate with the man advantage. They also rank fifth in shooting percentage and seventh in the league in goals scored. Winnipeg should also have the advantage when it comes to overall puck control as they have significantly more success at the faceoff dot than their opponents.

Starting goalie Connor Hellebuyck is expected to play against the Islanders in this game. Hellebuyck has gone 32-21-2 this season with a goals against average of 2.89 and a save percentage of .913. He has two shutouts.

The Winnipeg Jets defeated the New York Islanders in their last meeting back on December 4, 2018. The final score was 3-1.

What’s At Stake?

As mentioned earlier, the Winnipeg have already punched their ticket to the post-season. The two points will simply bring them closer to a divisional title.

Although signs look good for the Islanders to make the playoffs, they can’t let up and need these two points to climb the ranks. They are second in their division, and only one point out of first, but the third place Pittsburgh Penguins and first-seat wildcard Carolina Hurricanes are only one point behind them. Montreal, Columbus, and Philadelphia are all capable of usurping them as well. These two points are necessary for New York.

Questions to answer

The Winnipeg Jets are 25-10-4 this season at home, but will home-ice count as an advantage against an Islanders team that is 21-13-3 on the road this season?

Can New York goalie Robin Lehner hold down the fort against Winnipeg’s offense? Can Hellebuyck continue to power through his workload this season?

Can Barry Trotz and his Islanders finally get their power play to start scoring again?

New York Islanders Injury Report

F Andrew Ladd – day-to-day (torn ACL)

F Valtteri Filppula – day-to-day (upper-body)

Winnipeg Jets Injury Report

G Laurent Brossoit – day-to-day (lower-body)

D Josh Morrissey – day-to-day (upper-body)

D Dustin Byfuglien – IR (lower-body)

New York Islanders at Winnipeg Jets Predictions and Odds

The Winnipeg Jets are the -170 favourite over the +140 New York Islanders.