Utah Hockey Club (20-19-7) vs. Winnipeg Jets (32-14-3)
The 2024-25 NHL season continues Friday, January 24, with the Utah Hockey Club facing off against the Winnipeg Jets in the Central Division showdown at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, MB, so here’s the best Hockey Club vs. Jets prediction.
Utah meets Winnipeg for the third time this season. They split the first two encounters, with each team grabbing a victory on the home ice. Read more about this Utah vs. Winnipeg prediction and check out our NHL picks for Friday.
Utah plays without rest
Thursday’s games have been excluded from the analysis, and the Utah Hockey Club visited the Minnesota Wild to start a three-game road trip. Utah was looking for its third straight victory after beating the St. Louis Blues 4-2 and the Winnipeg Jets 5-2.
Last Monday, the Hockey Club upset the Jets as +150 home underdogs. After a goalless first period, the Hockey Club scored four straight to see off the Jets’ challenge. Barrett Hayton led the way with a goal and two assists, while Connor Ingram gave up two goals on 25 shots.
Karel Vejmelka was confirmed for the Wild game on Thursday, so Ingram will face the Jets on Friday once more. Ingram is 8-5-3 with a 3.29 GAA and a .882 save percentage this season. After spending nearly two months on the IR, Ingram returned to the ice in a 2-1 defeat to the New York Islanders on January 11.
Winger Dylan Guenther (G16, A18) and defenseman Robert Bortuzzo (A2) are out. Defenseman Mikhail Sergachev (G8, A22) missed Monday’s clash against the Jets and was questionable to play on Thursday night.
Winnipeg aims for its second straight W
The Winnipeg Jets bounced back from that 5-2 defeat in Salt Lake City in style. They outlasted the Colorado Avalanche 3-2 in overtime as slight +100 road underdogs this past Wednesday. It was the Jets’ fourth victory in six games.
Connor Hellebuyck posted 25 saves against the Avalanche, while Morgan Barron, Gabriel Vilardi, and Neal Pionk scored a goal each. Hellebuyck gave up four goals on 27 shots against Utah last Monday. He’s now 29-7-2 with a shiny 2.02 GAA and a .927 save percentage in 2024-25.
Hellebuyck has already amassed six shutouts this season, while Eric Comrie is 3-7-1 with a 2.87 GAA and a .904 save percentage. The Jets allow 2.45 goals per game (3rd in the NHL) and score 3.47 goals in return (also 3rd).
Winnipeg cannot count on winger Adam Lowry (G11, A15). All the other guys are ready to play.
Insiders Status:
I expect the Jets to get revenge for Monday’s loss. The Hockey Club will have to deal with fatigue on the second night of a back-to-back, coming off a tough road matchup against the Wild.
The Jets, who are topping the Western Conference at the moment, just beat the Avs, who are arguably a much better offensive team than Utah. After surrendering five goals in Salt Lake City, the Jets’ defense will improve in front of the home fans even if Eric Comrie gets the starting call.
Winnipeg has won three of its last four home contests. Back in November, the Jets blanked the Hockey Club 3-0 at Canada Life Centre, holding Utah to just 21 shots.
Insiders Status:
Connor Hellebuyck is expected to patrol the crease for the Jets. He’s 5-2-1 with a 2.12 GAA and a .914 save percentage in January, and the under is 4-1 in Winnipeg’s last four outings at home. Connor Ingram has allowed two goals in each of his three starts this month, so I’m backing the under.
Utah is a decent defensive team. The Hockey Club allow 2.98 goals per game (tied for 14th in the league). They score just 2.87 goals in return (21st), and I highly doubt their chances to replicate the offensive display from Monday’s home victory over the Jets.
For another opinion on this game, check out Utah Hockey Club vs. Winnipeg Jets Prediction from Statsalt, our partner site.
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Viktor Allenson , “The Viking”
Viktor “The Viking” Allenson has been slaying the books for many years now. He has hammered the lines in all sports including basketball, football, soccer, MMA and baseball. The Viking’s strength is his versatility and research in all sports. He also has the ability to find soft lines that the public loves and goes the other way.
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