Welcome to the latest edition of NHL Predictions. Each day, the team here at Last Word on Hockey will dive deep into analysis for any game to give you the scoop on what elements can change the outcome. Today, we’re examining the contest between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Winnipeg Jets. Be sure to keep an eye on our other NHL Predictions as the season presses on.
Time: 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: TSN3; FDSNSO; ESPN+
The Carolina Hurricanes take to the road to face the Winnipeg Jets for the first time this season in this round of NHL Predictions. The Hurricanes sit second in the Metropolitan Division and have probably done a touch better than many expected they would. On the other side, the Winnipeg Jets are not only leading the Central Division, but the entire NHL in points. This has the potential to be a good matchup.
The Hurricanes enter this one following a home loss to the Los Angeles Kings. No one wants to make excuses, but some sort of illness has been hitting the Hurricanes lately and is likely affecting their play. In addition to some players missing time, it has been indicated that essentially the entire team has been affected. For some news out of Carolina, they just called up rookie defenceman Scott Morrow so stay tuned as to what might be going on for the Hurricanes defence. They also switched up the power play groups some as they look to get it going again. Since the turn of 2025, the man advantage has, well, not been an advantage really at all.
Newcomer Mikko Rantanen technically leads the team in points (66) but besides him, Seth Jarvis is the first Hurricane to hit the 20-goal mark this season. With Frederik Andersen seeing the net last game, expect Pyotr Kochetkov to take the start here. It should be exciting to see how the new players continue to adjust and affect the forward lines in this one.
The Jets enter this one flying about as high as they can (no pun intended). Not only are they 8-2-0 in their last ten. Not only are they leading the NHL in points. And not only did they just beat the best team in the East in the Washington Capitals. But they also are on a six-game winning streak. The Jets have been strong all year from top to bottom and this is even without the services of their captain Adam Lowry who is out due to injury.
They have probably the best goalie in the league right now in Connor Hellebuyck who has a .925% SV% and 2.04 GAA. As a team, they lead the league in both goals for and goals against per game as well as on the man advantage. It will be interesting to see how the league’s best power play (Winnipeg) takes on the league’s best penalty kill (Carolina). Kyle Connor leads the team in points with 67 while Mark Scheifele leads in goals with 31.
While this is a battle between two teams near the top of the NHL, it seems like some will hinge on a few uncertainties. The big one for Carolina is what is going on with this illness. If players are still affected, it’s going to be hard to overcome a team that has been so good from top to bottom. And being on the road, Winnipeg will get the matchups they prefer. But Carolina will show from time to time the ability to step up against tough teams so don’t be surprised if that happens.
Prediction: Winnipeg wins 3-1
Looking at bets for the night, Connor is a safe bet as an any time goal scorer in this one with +155 odds. For Carolina, look at Jarvis with +230 odds.
Main Photo Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
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Welcome back to NHL Predictions! Every day, Last Word on Hockey provides insights and analysis to predict the outcome of the games on the NHL schedule.
