Anaheim Ducks vs. Winnipeg Jets: Picks, Predictions, Odds and Player Props

The Winnipeg Jets have been inconsistent of late but have an obvious chance to chalk up a win when they host the Anaheim Ducks at the Canada Life Centre on Friday night.

The Jets are involved in a heated three-way battle for supremacy in the Central Division and although they currently hold third spot, they are only two points behind with multiple games in hand on both the Colorado Avalanche and the Dallas Stars above them.

A win on Friday night would see them go top of the division and it will be expected as the Ducks are in a terrible run of form while they also have little to play for with the third worst record in the NHL, and out of the play-off running, 28 points behind the second Wild Card place with just 16 games to go.

Anaheim Ducks vs. Winnipeg Jets betting picks and predictions

Jets -1.5 (-135)

Stranger things have happened than an underdog winning a game of ice hockey, even on the road, but it is tough to make any kind of case for an upset win on Friday night with Anaheim as big as +320 on the Money Line.

Even with a +1.5 goal start, it is difficult to see the Ducks getting any kind of joy as they are in a terrible run of form having lost their last four games, while it is the second half of a back-to-back and fatigue may well be a factor.

Anaheim have had some recent joy in Canada, giving Vancouver a game in a 2-1 loss before beating the Ottawa Senators 2-1, but they have since lost four games on the bounce, suffering some heavy defeats along the way before being shut out in Minnesota on Thursday night.

Although a 6-2 loss to the Stars and a 6-1 defeat to the New York Islanders may have been somewhat expected, a 7-2 hammering at the hands of the Chicago Blackhawks - one of only two teams below them in the standings - will have done little for Anaheim's confidence.

That started a four-game road trip and was followed up by a shutout loss (albeit only 2-0), so it is no surprise to see the Jets as big favourites.

Winnipeg is not exactly in rampaging form, having alternated wins and losses over its last six games to go 6-4-0 in its last 10, but that is still better than Anaheim's record of 3-6-1.

The Jets have top spot in the Central Division to aim for and will be looking to take maximum points over struggling Anaheim and Columbus in their next two games before the schedule becomes a whole lot tougher.

The Jets also own the Ducks, having beaten them twice on the road already this season - winning 4-2 in December and 3-1 in January - in what is a seven-game winning sequence against Anaheim.

They have lost only one of the last 10 against Friday's opponents and only two of the last 15.

Winnipeg, with an extra day's rest and home advantage, look good to cover the spread and take the win with a -1.5 goal start.

Over 5.5 goals (-120)

Winnipeg's strength this season has been on the defensive side of things, with the Jets boasting the NHL's best goals against tally of 157 goals, while they own the second best goals against average of 2.40.

Rick Bowness' men have not been particularly free-scoring as they have only the joint-19th-ranked offence with 198 goals, averaging 3.05 goals per game.

However, that can be improved upon when they host the Ducks as only the San Jose Sharks have conceded more goals than Anaheim, and the Jets can take advantage.

The season is pretty much up for the visitors and with the second lowest scorers in the NHL (Chicago) slotting seven past the Ducks, with John Gibson pulled after allowing six goals from 26 shots, Winnipeg certainly have the capabilities to enjoy a convincing win.

Eleven of the last 16 games involving Anaheim have gone over 5.5 goals and, while goals aren't necessarily the forte of the Jets, nine of their last 14 games have seen at least six goals scored.

This is one of the easiest games on the schedule as far as any team is concerned, let alone a potential Presidents' Trophy winner, so expect Winnipeg to light the lamp on their way to top spot in the Central Division.

Nino Niederreiter Anytime Goalscorer (+250)

It may be taking something of a chance given that he has been kept off the scoreboard in the last three games, but there is plenty of value in backing Nino Niederreiter to find the back of the net.

The Swiss winger remains the leading scorer for the Jets this month, with their third line having been particularly productive - Adam Lowry and Mason Appleton are second only to Josh Morrisey in the team's point scoring stats for March.

Those two have only scored three goals between them so Niederreiter, who also plays on the power play, looks worthy of consideration to benefit once again from his line-mates productivity.

Throw in the fact that there is a good chance Winnipeg can win this early and therefore rotate the lines to keep players fresh for bigger tests to come, and Niederreiter looks good value to rediscover his scoring touch.

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Anaheim Ducks vs. Winnipeg Jets odds

ANA Ducks	+325 ML
WIN Jets	-425 ML
Puck Line	WIN -1.5
Total	O/U 5.5

Anaheim Ducks vs. Winnipeg Jets Player Props

Anytime Goalscorer

Kyle Connor (WIN)	+110
Tyler Toffoli (WIN)	+120
Nikolaj Ehlers (WIN)	+180
Sean Monahan (WIN)	+210
Mark Scheifele (WIN)	+210
Frank Vatrano (ANA)	+225

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.