Chicago Blackhawks vs Winnipeg Jets Picks and Predictions December 7th 2024

Chicago Blackhawks vs Winnipeg Jets December 7th 2024

Don’t miss out on the NHL showdown between the Jets and Blackhawks. The game is starting at 4:00 ET on ESPN+, and it’s hosted by the Blackhawks at United Center in Chicago, IL. Get ready to place your bets! The Jets come into this Central division matchup as the -1.5 goal favorite to pick up the win. Currently, the over/under for the game is at 5.5 goals.

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Winnipeg vs. Chicago Key Information

• Teams: Jets at Blackhawks
• Where: United Center Chicago
• Date: Saturday, December 7th
• Betting Odds WPG -191 | CHI +161 O/U 5.5

The Jets Can Win If…

With a 7-4 win over the Lightning, the Jets improved to 19-8-0. Winnipeg covered the puck line as -1.5 goal favorites, and the total of 11 goals easily surpassed the pre-game line of 6.5 goals.

Trailing 2-0 early, the Jets rallied with seven different players finding the net. Winnipeg took the lead for good with 15:57 left in the third period, and they added two empty-net goals to seal the victory.

In their 7-4 win over Tampa Bay, the Jets had 34 shots on goal and scored twice on empty nets. Seven different players found the net, with Vladislav Namestnikov scoring his third goal of the season. Logan Stanley added his first goal of the year, while Alex Iafallo netted his first on a power play.

Josh Morrissey contributed two assists, bringing his season total to 13. Nikolaj Ehlers scored his 9th goal and added his 9th assist. Mark Scheifele also picked up his 8th goal and 10th assist of the season.

Defensively, the Jets will look to improve after allowing the first two goals and another to tie the game at 4-4 against the Lightning. Connor Hellebuyck made 26 saves with an 86.7% save percentage, and the defense contributed 5 takeaways and 31 hits.

• Winnipeg has put together a record of 1-2 in their last three games (regular season). Across these games, their puck line record was just 0-3, while posting an over-under record of 0-3.
• Winnipeg has put together a record of 4-6 in their last ten games (regular season). The team’s record vs the puck line was just 3-7, in addition to an over-under mark of 2-8.

The Blackhawks Can Win If…

Chicago improved to 8-16-2 with a 4-2 win over the Ducks. As underdogs on the puck line, the Blackhawks covered, and the total of 6 goals fell just short of the 6.5 line.

Four different players scored for Chicago, who led 3-0 before Anaheim got on the board. The Ducks added another goal with just 4 seconds left in the game.

Chicago’s offense put 29 shots on goal and scored 4 times in their 4-2 win over Anaheim. Ryan Donato netted his 7th goal of the season, while Seth Jones added his 2nd. Isaak Phillips opened the scoring for the Blackhawks, and Teuvo Teravainen followed with his 4th goal, which came on a power play.

Connor Bedard contributed with two assists, bringing his season total to 9. Taylor Hall also added an assist, his 4th of the year. The Blackhawks scored twice in the 1st period, added another in the 2nd, and capped their scoring with Donato’s goal in the 3rd.

Chicago’s defense will look to build off their previous performance, where they allowed 2 goals to Anaheim, with one coming at the 19:56 mark in the 3rd period. Arvid Söderblom recorded 38 saves with a 95% save percentage, and the Blackhawks’ defense had 6 takeaways and 5 hits.

• The Blackhawks have gone 0-3 over their last three regular season games. The team’s record vs the puck line was just 0-3, in addition to an over-under mark of 2-1.
• The Blackhawks have gone 2-8 over their last ten regular season games. Against the spread, Chicago went 4-6 in these games and finished with an over-under mark of 3-7.

The Lean

For a moneyline pick, I’m taking the Blackhawks to pick up on a win over the Jets at home. With the moneyline sitting at +161, I’ll be locking in a bet on the Blackhawks straight-up.

If you’re looking to get a bet down on this matchup, we foresee the Blackhawks winning the underdog. However, if you’re not as confident in the Blackhawks straight-up, we’d still recommend placing a bet on them to cover the puck line.

With an over/under line sitting at 5.5 goals, we like this game to surpass that mark and recommend getting a bet down on the over.

NHL Picks & Predictions from The Best Experts

Blackhawks Look for Revival Under New Coach vs. Jets

The Chicago Blackhawks are gearing up for a pivotal game on Saturday against the Winnipeg Jets, marking the dawn of a new era under interim head coach Anders Sorensen. Following the dismissal of Luke Richardson, the Blackhawks aim to turn their season around and bring fresh energy to their struggling roster.

Chicago’s Struggles Prompt a Coaching Change

With just 18 points—the lowest in the NHL—the Blackhawks have endured a tough start to the season. The team’s performance under Richardson had been marred by inconsistency and an inability to close out games despite promising beginnings. Chicago’s general manager Kyle Davidson made the decision to part ways with Richardson on Thursday, expressing optimism about the team’s untapped potential.

“You have to be realistic with what you’re expecting and what you demand out of a group,” Davidson said. “But I don’t believe this is a last-place group.”

The Blackhawks’ latest outing, a 4-2 loss to the Boston Bruins on Wednesday, highlighted familiar issues: early-game success followed by faltering execution. Chicago has scored first in seven of their last eight games but failed to maintain the lead in most of them.

Veteran defenseman Connor Murphy noted the team’s emotional challenges during this losing stretch. “We seemed dejected. And that’s not a good thing because we’re losing some games here,” Murphy said, emphasizing the need for greater energy and resilience.

Winnipeg Jets Bounce Back from Their Own Slump

The Winnipeg Jets enter Saturday’s matchup with a renewed sense of confidence after breaking a four-game losing streak on Thursday. Adam Lowry’s overtime goal secured a 3-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres, showcasing the Jets’ ability to rally under pressure.

“It’s huge,” said Winnipeg head coach Scott Arniel. “We’ve been on the wrong side the prior four games, and I just liked the way we battled.”

Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck played a critical role in the win, making 28 saves to keep the Jets competitive. Contributions from key players, including Kyle Connor, Gabriel Vilardi, Josh Morrissey, and Mark Scheifele, highlighted Winnipeg’s depth and resilience. Connor tied the game with a power-play goal, while Vilardi added a goal and an assist.

“It’s been tough sledding the last week or so trying to pick up wins, so it’s nice to find a way to win,” said Lowry. “Hopefully, we can keep that good feeling going into Chicago now.”

Scores&Stats Expert Betting Guides

Contrasting Fortunes Heading Into Saturday

Saturday’s game offers a compelling contrast between two teams at different stages of their journey:

• For the Blackhawks: The game is an opportunity to validate Davidson’s belief that the team’s struggles are fixable. Anders Sorensen, promoted from Chicago’s AHL affiliate in Rockford, faces the daunting task of reversing the team’s fortunes midseason.
• For the Jets: Winnipeg sits tied atop the NHL standings with Central Division rival Minnesota, but their recent stretch of low-scoring games underscores the importance of maintaining offensive pressure. The team’s perfect 4-0 record in overtime this season is a testament to their grit in tight situations.

Key Players to Watch

• Chicago Blackhawks: Connor Murphy and the defensive unit must step up to complement the team’s often-strong starts. With a new coach, expect shifts in strategy aimed at sustaining leads.
• Winnipeg Jets: Adam Lowry, Kyle Connor, and Connor Hellebuyck have been instrumental in the Jets’ success. Their performances will be pivotal in ensuring Winnipeg maintains its momentum.

Fresh Start or Familiar Struggles?

This matchup is a chance for the Blackhawks to hit the reset button. Sorensen’s promotion signals a belief that the team has the tools to compete, but execution and morale must improve quickly. For Winnipeg, the game presents an opportunity to stay on track and solidify their position as one of the NHL’s top teams.

The puck drops Saturday night in Chicago, with both teams looking to write a new chapter in their respective seasons.