The Winnipeg Jets, a dominant force in the Central Division with an impressive record of 52 wins, 20 losses, and 4 overtime defeats, travel to the Delta Center in Salt Lake City for a compelling matchup against the Utah Hockey Club, who currently hold sixth place in the division with a record of 34 wins, 30 losses, and 12 overtime defeats. With the regular season drawing to a close, this game carries significant weight for both teams. The Jets have already secured their spot in the playoffs and are now focused on clinching the Central Division title. Meanwhile, the Utah Hockey Club finds itself in a fierce battle for a wild card position in the Western Conference, making every game a crucial step towards potential postseason contention. This late-season divisional clash sets the stage for a high-stakes encounter where Winnipeg aims to solidify its position at the top, and Utah fights to keep its playoff aspirations alive.
Examining their overall performance this season reveals a significant disparity in key statistical categories. The Winnipeg Jets have demonstrated a potent offensive capability, having scored 261 goals, which ranks them among the top-scoring teams in the National Hockey League. In contrast, the Utah Hockey Club has tallied 214 goals, placing them lower in the league’s offensive rankings. On the defensive end, the Jets have established themselves as the stingiest team in the league, allowing a mere 177 goals against. Utah, on the other hand, has conceded 233 goals this season. When it comes to special teams, Winnipeg boasts a highly effective power play operating at 29.41%, placing them second in the NHL. Their penalty kill unit is also strong, succeeding at a rate of 79.89%. Utah’s special teams units are respectable, with a power play efficiency of 21.6% and a penalty kill success rate of 81.06%. Leading the offensive charge for the Jets is Kyle Connor, who has accumulated an impressive 91 points, including 38 goals and 53 assists. For Utah, Clayton Keller is the top point-getter with 80 points, consisting of 25 goals and 55 assists , while Dylan Guenther has contributed a significant 26 goals. Heading into this matchup, the Winnipeg Jets will be without Neal Pionk, Nikolaj Ehlers, Rasmus Kupari, and Gabriel Vilardi due to injuries, while Utah will miss Liam O’Brien. The projected starting goaltenders are Connor Hellebuyck for Winnipeg and Karel Vejmelka for Utah.
Analyzing their performance based on the venue further highlights the Jets’ consistent excellence. At home, the Winnipeg Jets have recorded an impressive 28 wins, 6 losses, and 4 overtime losses, accompanied by a substantial goal differential of +59, having scored 133 goals and allowed only 74. Their road record is also formidable, with 24 wins and 14 losses, and a positive goal differential of +25, scoring 127 goals while conceding 102. In contrast, the Utah Hockey Club has a home record of 16 wins, 15 losses, and 7 overtime losses, with a negative goal differential of -4, scoring 102 goals and allowing 106. Their away record is slightly better at 18 wins, 15 losses, and 5 overtime losses, but still carries a negative goal differential of -11, having scored 109 goals and allowed 120. The data indicates that Winnipeg has maintained a high level of play regardless of whether they are at home or on the road, consistently outscoring their opponents. Utah, however, has struggled to maintain a positive goal differential in both home and away games, suggesting a vulnerability that the Jets could exploit.
A closer look at the special teams matchup reveals that the Winnipeg Jets possess a significant advantage on the power play, ranking second in the league with a success rate of 29.41%. The Utah Hockey Club’s power play operates at a respectable 21.6%, placing them in the middle of the league. Interestingly, when shorthanded, Utah’s penalty kill unit has been slightly more effective, succeeding 81.06% of the time, which ranks them among the top ten in the NHL. Winnipeg’s penalty kill is also solid at 79.89%, placing them in the upper half of the league. While the Jets’ potent power play could pose a threat to Utah, the Hockey Club’s strong penalty kill might mitigate some of that risk. However, Winnipeg’s ability to draw penalties, often a characteristic of teams with high power play efficiency, could still lead to more opportunities for them to capitalize.
The season series between the Winnipeg Jets and the Utah Hockey Club has seen three prior encounters, with the Jets holding a 2-1 advantage. Their first meeting on November 5, 2024, resulted in a 3-0 victory for Winnipeg at home. The second game on January 20, 2025, saw Utah secure a 5-2 win on their home ice. However, Winnipeg responded with a decisive 5-2 victory in their home arena on January 24, 2025. While the Jets have won the majority of their matchups this season, Utah’s dominant win in Salt Lake City demonstrates their capability to challenge the league leaders on their own turf. The relatively high goal totals in these previous games also suggest a potential for offensive production from both sides in this upcoming contest.
Examining advanced metrics provides further context to their on-ice performance. As of various dates in March 2025, the Winnipeg Jets have recorded a Corsi For percentage (CF%) of approximately 50.5% and a PDO (shooting percentage plus save percentage multiplied by 100) around 102.1-102.3. The Utah Hockey Club, during the same period, shows a higher Corsi For percentage of around 53.8% but a lower PDO of approximately 99.5. While Utah’s higher Corsi percentage might suggest a slight edge in puck possession based on shot attempts, Winnipeg’s significantly higher PDO indicates a greater efficiency in converting shots into goals and preventing goals against, which aligns with their superior overall goal differential.
Looking at predictions from various reputable NHL models, a consistent trend emerges. MoneyPuck forecasts a 3.57-2.83 victory for Winnipeg, giving them a 57.1% chance of winning , with another prediction showing a 57.3% win probability for the Jets. Oddsshark anticipates a 4.1-1.9 scoreline in favor of Winnipeg and expects the total goals to exceed 5.5. AP News predicts a closer 4-3 win for the Jets but recommends betting on Utah +1.5 and the over on 5.5 goals. Last Word on Sports goes further, predicting a 4-0 shutout victory for Winnipeg. Sports Betting Dime’s model gives Winnipeg a 54% chance of winning, suggesting Utah +1.5 has a 68% chance of covering the spread, and the over/under of 5.5 has an even 50-50 probability. The collective predictions strongly suggest that the Winnipeg Jets are the favored team heading into this matchup.
The betting market reflects this sentiment, with the Winnipeg Jets listed as the moneyline favorites at odds ranging from -130 to -145, while the Utah Hockey Club are the underdogs with odds between +110 and +121. The puck line is set at 1.5 goals, with Winnipeg -1.5 offering odds around +172 to +208 and Utah +1.5 around -215 to -258. The total goals over/under is set at 5.5, with varying odds on both sides. Trends indicate that the Jets have been a generally profitable moneyline bet this season, especially when favored, while Utah has struggled as the underdog. There has been some slight movement in the betting lines, with the Jets’ moneyline odds decreasing slightly since the opening, potentially influenced by injury reports.
Considering all the factors, the predicted final score for this game is Winnipeg Jets 4 – Utah Hockey Club 2. The confidence level in this prediction is medium-high, given the Jets’ superior overall performance and head-to-head record. The recommended bet type is the moneyline on the Winnipeg Jets at odds of -130 to -145. This is supported by the expert consensus and the Jets’ strong statistical profile. For player props, betting on Kyle Connor (Winnipeg) to score anytime seems reasonable given his offensive prowess. Additionally, Karel Vejmelka (Utah) recording over 22.5 saves could offer value, as the Jets are expected to generate a significant number of shots on goal. An alternative line to consider is Winnipeg Jets to win by 2 or more goals, which offers a higher payout if you have strong conviction in their victory.
Key matchups to watch include the battle between Winnipeg’s star goaltender, Connor Hellebuyck, and Utah’s leading scorers, Clayton Keller and Dylan Guenther. Hellebuyck’s exceptional play will be crucial in containing Utah’s offensive threats. The effectiveness of the Jets’ potent power play against Utah’s solid penalty kill could also significantly influence the game’s outcome. Furthermore, Utah’s ability to execute their transition game, which posed a challenge for the Jets in their previous Salt Lake City encounter , will be a key factor. Finally, the impact of injuries, particularly the potential absence of Nikolaj Ehlers for the Jets, could have an effect on their offensive depth.
In conclusion, the Winnipeg Jets enter this contest as the clear favorites, aiming to continue their dominant season and solidify their position atop the Central Division before the playoffs begin. While the Utah Hockey Club will be highly motivated to secure crucial points in their quest for a wild card spot on home ice, the Jets’ superior overall performance, statistical advantages, and head-to-head record suggest they are likely to emerge victorious in this matchup. Expect a competitive game, but Winnipeg’s goaltending and offensive firepower should ultimately prove to be the difference.
