Jets vs Leafs 03/31/22 – Pre-game notes and betting odds

Photo credit:Terrence Lee-USA TODAY Sports

2 years ago

The Winnipeg Jets are coming off a 3-2 shootout victory over the Buffalo Sabres. This is the first time since early January that they’ve owned a three-game winning streak (Dec. 19 – Jan. 4).

To be honest, goaltender @Connor Hellebuyck’s impressive performance led the way, as he posted a .946 save percentage, proving to be the difference-maker.

Captain @Blake Wheeler scored the shootout-winner with some magic hands, which led to a bit of a debate about whether or not his movement stopped during the shootout. Personally, I think the right call was made.

Watch it yourself and let us know if you think it’s good or not. (Jump to 2:27 for Wheeler’s shootout goal)

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On the betting front, I was unsuccessful and went 1-for-6 on the night. Still, I’d rather this outcome than a Jets loss. Hopefully, we can watch the team win four straight against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

What You Need to Know About the Jets

Recently, the Jets have been playing pretty well and have been picking up crucial wins. Over their last 10 games, they’ve performed to a 7-3-0 record. In total, this club features a 33-25-10 record and are just two points back of the Vegas Golden Knights for the final wild-card spot.

There’s no confirmation yet, although it appears that Hellebuyck will make both starts in this back-to-back series. Thus far, he’s posted a 24-23-9, a 2.94 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage this season.

Winnipeg is likely to use the same line combinations as they did against the Sabres, so they’ll be without @Cole Perfetti (upper body), @Kyle Connor (COVID-19) and @Nate Schmidt (COVID-19).

You’ll want to watch @Pierre-Luc Dubois in this contest as he is looking for his 100th career NHL goal.

Veteran @Adam Lowry leads the Jets with a 52.98 per cent face-off percentage, @Josh Morrissey leads in average ice-time (23:35) per game and Dubois leads in power-play goals (13).

The last time the Jets and Maple Leafs met it was a wild one, Winnipeg ultimately won 6-3. In the last 10 matchups between these two clubs, the series is tied at 5-5.

What You Need to Know About the Leafs

The Maple Leafs are enjoying another successful season, as they’re entering with a 42-19-5 record and could play either the Boston Bruins or Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of this year’s playoffs.

Rookie goaltender @Erik Kallgren will start for the Maple Leafs on Thursday. In his short NHL career, he’s registered a 3-2-1 record, a 2.64 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage.

Toronto will be without @Jake Muzzin (concussion), @Jack Campbell (upper body), @Ondrej Kase (head), @Rasmus Sandin (lower body), @Petr Mrazek (groin) and @Ilya Lyubushkin (head).

All-Star @Auston Matthews leads the Leafs in goals (49) and points (85), with @Mitch Marner leading in assists (48).