NHL: Vancouver Canucks vs Winnipeg Jets Betting Preview
Canucks face Predators in Playoffs, Jets Head to Colorado
The Vancouver Canucks (50-22-9, 109 points) have won the Pacific Division for the first time since 2013 after holding off the Edmonton Oilers. They’ll finish their season with a trip to Manitoba to take on the Winnipeg Jets (51-24-6, 108 points) who have second place locked up in the Central.
The Jets are ranked seventh in our latest NHL power rankings, and the Canucks are ninth. Oddsmakers opened Winnipeg -132 with a total of 5.5 (over -118). Puck drop is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET / 5:10 p.m. PT and can be seen on ESPN+.
We start our Canucks vs Jets betting preview with a deeper look at Vancouver from a betting perspective.
Vancouver Canucks vs Winnipeg Jets 
Day/Time:
Location: Canada Life Centre, Winnipeg, MB
Streaming: ESPN+
With Demko Back, Canucks A Legit Threat In West
When a team wins the division while accumulating 109 points, they’re supposed to go deep in the postseason. However, there’s something about this Vancouver Canucks team that still hasn’t cracked the elite in the minds of most NHL handicappers.
We’re guilty after listing Vancouver as the fifth-best team in the West in our power rankings. Part of the reason is they’re a quality over quantity team. They don’t make opposing goaltenders work as hard as teams like the Florida Panthers or Edmonton Oilers do with constant offensive pressure.
That doesn’t mean they’re a defensive team with 3.42 goals per game (6th) but to the eye, it’s a legitimate concern when Rick Tocchet’s team is 26th in shots per game (28.49 / game).
Of all the playoff teams, only the Washington Capitals are worse with 26.49 shots per game (29th).
The Canucks do have legit firepower in their top six with Elias Peterson (34 goals, 55 assists) and JT Miller (37 goals, 66 assists) among the NHL goal-scoring leaders, but their bottom six doesn’t have a 20-goal or 50-point scorer.
The good news is, Vancouver will have the services of goaltender Thatcher Demko (35-13-2, 2.44, .918) who returned after being out of action since March 9th. The San Diego native allowed one goal on 40 shots in the Canucks 4-1 win against the Calgary Flames.
Vancouver is +7.07 units for bettors this season, their first winning season since 2019-2020.
Jets Power Play A Concern Heading Into Postseason
The Winnipeg Jets have 51 wins this season, making them one of five teams to climb over the 50-win plateau. They’re ranked fourth in the West in our power rankings, but like tonight’s counterpart, are on the outside looking in when it comes to the league’s elite.
The reason for that is a power play that ranks 22nd in the NHL with a success rate of 19.1%. That will be the lowest percentage of any team in the postseason and is an element of playoff success that is as important as scoring depth.
Between the piper for Rick Bowness’ team is Connor Hellebuyck (37-19-4, 2.39, .921) who is getting hot at the right time with five straight wins in April.
The Jets have been even better than Vancouver for bettors with 8.21 units won this season and 9.92 over the last two seasons. Only the Boston Bruins (+15.76) have been a better regular wager than Winnipeg.
Cup Odds Favor Vancouver
The Vancouver Canucks (+1400) are the 10th choice in the latest Stanley Cup odds, and Winnipeg comes in as the 11th choice (+1500) but we’ll attack that when the postseason arrives.
Today the focus is on winning tonight’s match-up. The number may seem surprising considering Bowness is expected to go with Laurent Brossoit (14-5-2, 2.00, .928) but if you’ve watched Brossoit play up close as we have when in Vegas, you would know that he is more than just a capable backup with three shutouts in his last six starts.
We’re giving up the -132 and take the Jets as our official NHL prediction for Thursday. That does it for our Canucks vs Jets betting preview, we wish you all the best with your NHL picks and parlays.
For NHL betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
