Winnipeg Jets vs. Vancouver Canucks: Picks, Predictions, Odds and Player Props

Saturday night throws up a real heavyweight matchup as two of the top three teams in the Western Conference go toe-to-toe at Rogers Arena where the Vancouver Canucks host the Winnipeg Jets.

The Canucks are setting the pace in the West having amassed 89 points from 65 games, and are one point behind the Florida Panthers in the race for the Presidents' Trophy, having played a game more.

However, the Jets are very much in the running for the number one seed in the Western Conference as they are just four points behind Vancouver with three games in hand. Winnipeg is five points behind Florida having played two games less.

The game on Saturday night therefore could have a huge bearing on the seedings for the postseason, with both teams looking at least assured of a playoff spot.

Winnipeg Jets vs. Vancouver Canucks betting picks and predictions

Jets Money Line (+125)

The Vancouver Canucks of course lead the way in the Western Conference but they have had to endure a slump of late, going 4-5-1 in their last 10 games, started by a 4-2 home loss to the Winnipeg Jets.

In fact, the Canucks went 1-5-1 with that Jets loss but have since rediscovered something of their mojo by reeling off three straight wins, all on the road, culminating in Thursday night's win over the Vegas Golden Knights.

Despite a down spell of their own from the end of January, the Jets have been a lot more consistent of late, going 10-3 in their last 13 games, rebounding from Tuesday night's 4-3 defeat to Seattle by beating the Kraken 3-0 on Friday on the road at the Climate Pledge Arena.

It is something of a risk going for the Jets on a back-to-back, particularly on the road against a team as good as the Canucks, but the hosts are not quite firing on all cylinders and there is plenty of juice in Winnipeg's odds.

The Jets beat Vancouver on the road just three weeks ago, while they have won the last four meetings with their Canadian rivals, which included a 5-1 win at Rogers Arena last season.

Although fatigue may play some kind of part, Winnipeg's recent moves ahead of the trade deadline could just be the boost that the players need to maintain their push for the top spot.

After acquiring Sean Monahan at the start of last month, Winnipeg cleverly bolstered their top six by trading for Tyler Toffoli from the New Jersey Devils, a player who may also have an extra spring in his step being a former Canuck.

Given what is at stake and the Jets recent history against Vancouver (who have won only one of their last four home games), odds of +125 on the best defense in the league, especially coming on the back of a shutout, are certainly worth considering.

Under 5.5 Goals (+100)

While both teams carry offensive threat with Vancouver ranked third for goals scored (Winnipeg 18th), it is without the puck that the two teams in tandem compare strongly with the league.

The Jets have the best defensive record in terms of goals allowed with 147 with the Canucks ninth after allowing 176, while Winnipeg is only marginally second in goals allowed per game at 2.37 with Vancouver rising up to fifth with 2.71.

Two of the best goaltenders will be on show at Rogers Arena and they improve those stats even further with Vezina Trophy favorite Connor Hellebuyck boasting the joint-best GAA of 2.29, while his Vancouver counterpart, Thatcher Demko, is not far behind at 2.49.

Hellebuyck also shares the best save percentage in the NHL at .922 with Demko tied sixth, and that suggests goals will be hard to come by on Saturday night.

Going under 5.5 is again something of a risk but the Jets won 3-0 last time out, and the Canucks' recent winning streak has coincided with low-scoring games as they beat both the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings 2-1, and the Knights 3-1. Their improved defensive solidity has seen them win three straight and they would be happy for more of the same to stay out in front.

Nino Niederreiter Anytime Goalscorer (+300)

Given that a low-scoring game is expected at Rogers Arena, it will not be easy finding a goalscorer but there is some value to be had thinking outside the obvious boxes.

The Jets third line has been coming up big in recent games and it may well pay to ride that particular wave, especially at the odds.

Mason Appleton has four points in his last four games, all assists, while Adam Lowry has two goals and three assists in a five-point haul over the same period. However, Nino Niederreiter has scored four times over the last four games, adding an assist to boot, and at +300 he could be the solution to the scoring puzzle.

Josh Morrissey leads Winnipeg over that four-game stretch with six points (one goal, five assists) and providing at least one more helper against the Canucks at +120 is also tempting.

Read more betting picks and predictions for the NHL on site

Winnipeg Jets vs. Vancouver Canucks Odds

WIN Jets	+125 ML
VAN Canucks	-150 ML
Puck Line	VAN -1.5
Total	O/U 5.5

Winnipeg Jets vs. Vancouver Canucks Player Props

Anytime Goalscorer

Kyle Connor (WIN)	+155
Brock Boeser (VAN)	+160
J.T. Miller (VAN)	+160
Elias Pettersson (VAN)	+170
Mark Scheifele (WIN)	+175
Sean Monahan (WIN)	+210

Read Winnipeg Jets vs. Vancouver Canucks: How to watch, TV Channel, start time, injury report and stats on site

Read the latest NHL news on site

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.