Streaking Jets Host Free-Falling Islanders Tuesday Night
It is amazing what a coaching change can do for a team! The Winnipeg Jets who were 10 points out of a playoff spot just 14 games ago have gotten themselves within striking distance of an Eastern Conference playoff spot on a heels of a 11-3-1 stretch since Paul Maurice took over from Claude Noel.
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The Jets play host to the New York Islanders Tuesday night – a team that has not adjusted well to the loss of their All-Star forward John Tavares – they have lost two of three since their star went down with injury during the Olympic tournament and the team is just 2-6-4 in their last 12 games overall. The teams have played just once so far this season – a 3-2 win for the Jets November 27 on Long Island.
NY Islanders (23-32-4-4) at Winnipeg (30-36-1-5)
When: 8:00 PM ET, Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Where: MTS Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Broadcast: MSG PLUS, TSN-JETS
Isles vs. Jets Betting Lines from betonline.com
New York Islanders +1½ -215 +134 Ov 5½ -116
Winnipeg Jets -1½ +185 -147 Un 5½ +105
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The New York Islanders were looking like a bottom dweller before the recent two week hiatus but that was nothing compared to how they have appeared since returning from the Olympic break. They started the stretch run off with a 5-4 win versus the Toronto Maple Leafs but have since lost two straight by a combined score of 11-4 – both losses coming on home ice to New Jersey and Florida. Add in the fact that a host of Islanders could be moved as we approach the trade deadline and the Isles figure to be an easy out for their opposition as we play out the string.
New York enters Tuesday night’s game middle-of-the-pack in terms of offense averaging 2.65 goals per game but the loss of Tavares certainly hurts their chances to maintain that pace. Thomas Vanek who is rumored to be on his way out of Long Island has four points in two games, Kyle Okposo has been the most consistent Isle with 37 points in 23 games, while another trade bait player Lubomir Visnovsky has four points in four games and Josh Bailey has four assists in his last five games.
The Islanders defense and goaltending will have to steal a few games down the stretch for the Isles to be competitive but the keepers have struggled mightily during New York’s 2-6-4 stretch. Evgeni Nabokov is 1-1-0 in his last two starts with a 5.29 GAA and .780 save percentage while backup Andres Nilsson is 0-1-0 in his last two starts with a 4.56 GAA and .880 save percentage. New York is in some trouble defensively and it is hard to imagine them remaining competitive without John Tavares in the lineup.
The Winnipeg Jets have officially turned the corner and appear very much like a team poised to make a serious push at the playoffs. Credit Paul Maurice with changing the culture in Winnipeg. We can also point to the improved play of goaltender Ondrej Pavelec who was 11-19-4 with a 3.14 GAA under Claude Noel but is a very tidy 9-3-0 with a 2.23 GAA with Maurice at the helm. A focus on defense has turned the Jets around and has made them a nightmare to play against night-in and night-out. Pavelec, however, has a 2.90 GAA while losing four in a row against New York.
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Winnipeg’s offense has been decent all season long – the one thing that was missing was a timely save or two. Andrew Ladd has three goals in his past five games and 10 in his past 10, Blake Wheeler has 32 points in his past 33 games, Devin Setoguchi has three points in four games and Zach Bogosian has two points in his last three contests.
Some help from a few of their other starts would be nice – Jacob Trouba and Michael Frolik each have just one point in their last four games and Tobias Enstrom is pointless in five games.
Dave’s FREE NHL Betting Prediction
A few trends to consider:
• NYI are 2-9 in their last 11 overall.
• NYI are 10-3 in their last 13 road games.
• Over is 19-8-1 in NYI last 28 road games.
• Over is 16-5-2 in WIN last 23 home games.
• Over is 6-2-1 in WIN last 9 vs. Eastern Conference.
• WIN are 11-4 in their last 15 overall.
• Road team is 8-3 in the last 11 meetings.
The Winnipeg Jets are just 15-11-4 on home ice so far this season but the Isles are an ugly 9-16-8 away from home on the year. It is hard to imagine where the offense is going to come from for New York the rest of the way, particularly on the power play. And with a sketchy defense on the Island, the Isles look dead in the water. Paul Maurice has his team playing superb defensive hockey and the Jets offense has remained solid all season long. Watch as the Jets continue their surge Tuesday while New York continues their monumental slide down the overall standings!
Pick: Winnipeg Jets -147
