Jets Need To Bottle Lightning On Home Ice Tuesday Night

The Winnipeg Jets have placed their best hockey at home since relocating from Atlanta a year ago. In order to have any shot at the postseason they will need to be close to perfect at the MTS Center down this final stretch. Winnipeg will welcome the Southeast division rival Tampa Bay Lightning to town this Tuesday for another important online sports betting contest. The Jets entered this week only two points back of the New York Rangers for the eighth and final playoff spot and four points back of the Washington Capitals for the division lead, and will need to take advantage of a Lightning team that has been far too inconsistent this season.

Tampa Bay Lightning @ Winnipeg Jets
Tuesday April 16, 2013 – 8:00 PM ET
MTS Center, Winnipeg, Manitoba
NHL Sports Betting Line: Winnipeg – 130

The Lightning ended last week by dropping three-straight to pretty much ensure they would not be competing for a playoff spot entering this final stretch, and have been particularly awful on the road this season with a 6-14-1 record. Tampa Bay opened the season series with the Jets with an 8-3 win, but has dropped back-to-back games against Winnipeg following that opening win.

NHL Betting Preview: Tampa Bay Lightning

Opening a four-game road trip with consecutive losses to the Capitals and Buffalo Sabres pretty much sealed the deal on the Lightning’s playoff chances, and it won’t make rallying this team for the final six games any easier. Tampa Bay conceded six goals in two of those defeats, and is allowing just over three goals per game as one of the worst defensive teams in hockey. That has negated one of the highest-scoring offenses in the NHL, led by Steven Stamkos and his 26 goals. The Lightning rank second in goals scored, but their inability to keep the puck out of their own net regardless of who is in goal has cost them.

NHL Betting Preview: Winnipeg Jets

The Jets are one of the most interesting online sports betting teams in the league based on their statistics this season. Winnipeg is nowhere near the top-10 in scoring with 2.6 goals per game, and they aren’t much better than Tampa Bay in terms of goals per game allowed with 2.9, yet they are still in contention because they have found ways to win games. Captain Andrew Ladd has led the way with 16 goals and a team-high 38 points, and has been one of the key difference makers in some of the close games that the team has won. Winnipeg is two games above .500 at home this season, and if they are going to get in they need to take care of business on their own ice.

NHL Betting Preview: Outlook & Pick

Winning isn’t easy in the NHL, and for teams like the Jets it is all about sticking to the game plan and finding ways to outhustle opponents in order to secure two points. The Lightning are the more talented team of these two, yet it is Winnipeg competing for a playoff spot and that says something about how these teams have performed relative to their skill level.

NHL Betting Pick: Winnipeg Jets