The Edmonton Oilers juggernaut has been brought to a juddering halt on their Canadian tour.
Connor McDavid and co have only eight regulation losses in their last 40 games, but two of those came in their most recent outings in Toronto and Ottawa.
The good news for the Oilers is that they next face a Winnipeg side on an even worse slide. The Jets return home after losses to the New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders and Washington Capitals.
Both teams are virtually assured of reaching the play-offs, so they can be forgiven if their minds are already in the postseason. However, continuing to rack up the points now could mean avoiding an early clash with Western Conference powerhouses Vancouver and the defending Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights, so there is plenty of incentive to stay focused.
Despite allowing 13 goals in their last three games, the Jets remain the joint-best defense in the NHL, and if they can start looking like it again that could spell trouble for the Oilers.
Edmonton have been less reliant on offensive power of late, but they are still very much an attack-minded team and have been shaky at the blue line recently, letting in 14 goals in their last three games.
The Jets are a strong road team generally, but are even better at home, and this return to Canada Life Centre could help them end their skid.
Winnipeg are 7-2 in their last nine at home while the Oilers are going through a rough patch on the road, 2-3-1 in their last six away games.
Winnipeg lost 3-0 to Washington on Sunday afternoon, but that doesn't tell the whole story. All three goals came in the third period, while the Jets recorded 47 shot attempts to Washington's 29 and matched the Capitals for scoring chances created.
The Jets and Oilers have split the season series, each winning in the other's barn, but they have not met since December 1.
Both this season's meetings have stayed under the Total and this one could follow the pattern.
Given recent results, both coaches are likely to have reminded their teams of the importance of gaining positions in the standings and that could lead to a cagey atmosphere.
The Jets have recorded two shutouts in their last three home games, one each for Laurent Brossoir and tonight's likely starter Connor Hellebuyck, who was also perfect through two periods in Washington on Sunday.
That will be a concern for an Oilers side who were held scoreless through 44:59 in Toronto on Saturday night, although with their scoring power it is hard to see them failing to get on the scoreboard.
But eight of the last 10 Jets games have stayed under 6.5 goals, and although the Total is lowered for this one, that still looks the way to go.
Danish winger Nikolaj Ehlers reached the 20-goal mark for the seventh time in eight seasons earlier this month and the Winnipeg stalwart is worth a bet to chip in at least a point against the Oilers.
Ehlers has seen his production rise since being put on a line with Sean Monahan and deadline pick-up Tyler Toffoli, racking up two goals and four assists in his last six games.
Although he was held to just one shot on goal in the shutout in Washington at the weekend, Ehlers had managed at least three shots on target in all of his previous five games and Winnipeg's slick second line should get opportunities against an Edmonton defense that has been porous of late.
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EDM Oilers | -125 |
WIN Jets | +105 |
Puck Line | EDM -1.5 |
Total | O/U 6.0 |
Connor McDavid (EDM) | +115 |
Zach Hyman (EDM) | +115 |
Kyle Connor (WIN) | +125 |
Leon Draisaitl (EDM) | +145 |
Mark Scheifle (WIN) | +145 |
Tyler Toffoli (WIN) | +210 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
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