Join Daily Faceoff’s Andy MacNeil as he handicaps Tuesday’s matchup between the Carolina Hurricanes and Winnipeg Jets.
Hurricanes vs. Jets Odds
- Carolina Hurricanes Moneyline: -120
- Winnipeg Jets Moneyline: +100
- Puck Line: Hurricanes +1.5 (-300), Jets -1.5 (+220)
- Game Total: 5.5 (Over -110, Under -110)
Game odds via Sports Interaction.
Handicapping the Hurricanes (32-21 SU, 25-28 ATS, 21-28-4 O/U)
Carolina is looking to bounce back after a 4-2 home loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday. The defeat marked goaltender Frederik Andersen’s first loss since returning from injury on Jan. 20 and only his second of the season. Andersen has played just eight games this season, winning six while posting a .903 save percentage and a 2.47 goals-against average.
Backup Pyotr Kochetkov hasn’t started since Jan. 30, but while he remains undefeated in regulation over his last six starts, I expect Andersen to get the nod in Winnipeg after a two-day break. After all, the Hurricanes will likely be facing the league’s best goaltender, Connor Hellebuyck.
The Hurricanes continue to be one of the league’s strongest teams in terms of controlling play. Over the past month, they’ve posted a 58.3 percent expected goal share while also controlling 58.3 percent of shot attempts at even strength, according to Evolving Hockey.
Carolina also ranks among the top five offensive teams at even strength during that span, but it’s not all good news. Only seven teams have allowed more goals per 60 minutes.
Mikko Rantanen hasn’t made much of an impact on the scoresheet since being traded to the Hurricanes from the Colorado Avalanche, but he has registered 17 shots on goal in four games while skating alongside Sebastian Aho on the team’s top forward line. It’s only a matter of time before the production follows. Rantanen has one goal and one assist in four games with Carolina.
Handicapping the Jets (37-17 SU, 30-24 ATS, 25-26-3 O/U)
The Jets haven’t shown any signs of slowing down. Winnipeg is riding a six-game win streak and has won 10 of its last 13 games. Like Carolina, the Jets have had a couple of days off, meaning Connor Hellebuyck—who has won nine of his last 10 starts—will be well-rested for this matchup.
Hellebuyck is a virtual lock to win the Vezina Trophy this season, boasting a .925 save percentage, a 2.04 goals-against average, and six shutouts. The 31-year-old also ranks first in goals saved above expected, according to Evolving Hockey. However, unlike past seasons—when Hellebuyck carried the team even when they weren’t playing well—the Jets now look like the real deal.
Over the past month, Winnipeg ranks seventh in expected goals percentage and sixth in shot attempt percentage, while no team has posted a better goal share at even strength. Offensively, only three teams have scored more goals than the Jets during this stretch. In fact, when factoring in all situations, Winnipeg has been the league’s best offensive team over the last two months.
No team has allowed fewer goals than Winnipeg year-to-date, and the Jets continue to ride Hellebuyck’s steadiness to strong defensive performances nearly every night. They’ve allowed two or fewer goals in 10 of their last 13 games.
Best bet for Hurricanes vs. Jets
- Winnipeg Jets Moneyline (+100) at Sports Interaction
Facing Carolina will be a tough test for the Jets, but Winnipeg shouldn’t be an underdog on home ice, regardless of the opponent. In fact, this will only be the third time the Jets have entered a home game as an underdog. They have yet to face the Hurricanes this season, but they’ve won two straight against Carolina and three of the last four.
Hellebuyck has lost three of his last four starts versus the Hurricanes, but I’m putting far more stock in his current form, as those three losses came between Dec. 2019 and Dec. 2021.
Update (12:26 EST): Unfortunately, it looks like Eric Comrie will likely get the start in this game, based on reports from practice, so the Jets are no longer a good bet.
- Mikko Rantanen Over 2.5 Shots On Goal (-110) at Sports Interaction
As mentioned, Rantanen has been the Carolina’s go-to option to shoot the puck since he joined the Hurricanes on Jan. 25. Rantanen has attempted 28 shots in four games, which is eight more than the next-best player, and 26 of those shot attempts were unblocked, while 17 made were registered as shots on goal. Rantanen has attempted seven or more shots in three out of four games since the trade.