Tuesday night in the NHL features the Winnipeg Jets hosting the streaking Nashville Predators at Canada Life Centre. Welcome to NHL Predictions here at Last Word on Hockey, where each day we preview and predict the upcoming slate of NHL games around the league! In this article, we will preview and predict the matchup between the Winnipeg Jets and Nashville Predators. Be sure to check out all of our NHL Predictions throughout the 2024-25 season and follow along with your favourite teams.
NHL Predictions
Winnipeg Jets vs Nashville Predators
Head-to-Head: Jets 1-1 Predators
Time: 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: TSN3, FDSNSO; ESPN+
It’s a tale of two streaks for these two teams on Tuesday in Winnipeg. Nashville enters having won their previous two games in the Canadian portion of their six-game road trip, while the Jets have lost three straight games for just the second time this season.
Winnipeg and Nashville met just one week ago, also in Winnipeg. The Jets blanked the Predators and skated away with a 3-0 victory. That game saw two powerplay goals from Gabriel Vilardi, Dylan DeMelo‘s first goal of the year, and a clean, 22-save shutout from Connor Hellebuyck. Winnipeg controlled the high-danger areas throughout this game, holding the Predators to just one high danger scoring chance at 5-on-5 over the last two periods. In contrast, the Jets were able to generate nine of those chances over the final two frames, including a 7-0 edge in the third period.
Jonathan Marchessault Is Finding His Footing
A few weeks ago, it looked as though signing Jonathan Marchessault this past off-season was one of the biggest overpays of free agency. Even though he was coming off of a career-best 42 goals in Vegas a season ago, Jonathan Marchessault was scuffling along and a reason why the Predators found themselves near the bottom of the Western Conference.
However, Marchessault is regaining that production and now back on pace for a 30-goal season. Over his last 12 games, Marchessault has collected 16 points, including nine goals. This is the type of impact Nashville was hoping for when they gifted him a five year $27.5 million dollar contract this past July 1st. The now 34-year old is proving that he does still possess a knack for the net and can be a valauble contributor to the top-six of a lineup. With points in six of their last nine contests, the Predators are playing much better hockey (though they are still well out of the playoffs) and having Marchessault apart of that improvement perhaps can be a silver lining and one less worry come this offseason.
Winnipeg Jets Stuck On The Tarmac
Winnipeg has hit another slight rough patch in their play with three straight losses, including two at home to much inferior opponents (Anaheim and Detroit). Their last outing against Detroit, the Jets controlled the final two periods at 5 0n 5, holding a 13-1 advantage in high danger chances over the Red Wings. Unfortunately for them, it was another slow start that put them behind; they were outshot 17-7 in the first period and generated just eight attempts on goal at 5 on 5. Detroit also scored twice on the man advantage while Winnipeg went goalless on two opportunities. It was the second straight home defeat that left fans and viewers feeling that the Jets let points slip away.
Prediction
This feels like a get-right game for Winnipeg; having handled the Predators just a week ago, it’s a good opportunity for the Jets to replicate that performance. Winnipeg has given up 13 goals over their last three games (though, three empty net goals) which is uncharacteristic of their identity. Having shutout Nashville in their previous meeting, Winnipeg knows how to shutdown the offense of their division foes; as well, the Predators are starved for goals, still sitting dead-last in the NHL in goals per game. This is a game for the Jets to shore up their defensive play. Also, Winnipeg needs to start on time. A sleepy start to this game will not bode well for the Jets, so expect them to come out firing in the first period and never look back.
Prediction: Jets win 4-1
Prop Bet of the Night
We close NHL predictions with some prop bets of the night. With two goals in their last meeting and three goals overall in his last three games versus the Predators, look for Gabriel Vilardi to find the back of the net in this game, again. He’s a big, imposing presence on the ice and especially difficult to contain in front of the net on the powerplay. Gambling sites have Vilardi at +220 as an anytime goal scorer in this contest; look for him to cause havoc around the crease of Juuse Saros and continue his production against Nashville.
Main photo by: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
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