Minnesota Wild vs. Winnipeg Jets: Game 5 Odds, Analysis, NHL Betting Pick

The Winnipeg Jets will look to advance to the second round of the 2018 NHL playoffs in Game 5 on Friday when they host the Minnesota Wild as huge home favorites at the sportsbooks.

The Jets have won three of the first four games of the series by a 9-3 margin, losing the other 6-2.

NHL betting line: The Jets opened as -250 favorites (wager $250 to win $100); the total is at 5.5 goals, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. (Line updates and matchup report)

NHL betting pick, via OddsShark computer:4.0-1.2, Jets (NHL picks on every game)

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Why the Wild can pay on the NHL lines

The Wild have been competitive throughout this series but have only found a way to score more than two goals once. Of course they won that game, and that will again be the key to Game 5.

Minnesota's defense has been great for the most part, led by goaltender Devan Dubnyk, who has stopped 132 of 142 shots so far (.930 save percentage).

Dubnyk's counterpart, Connor Hellebuyck, has faced just 89 shots during that same stretch and allowed only less goal.

Hellebuyck's shutout performance in Game 4 was easily his best of the series, so the Wild must fire more shots to succeed.

Why the Jets can pay on the NHL lines

Winnipeg's home-ice advantage was second to none in the regular season, and that has carried over to the postseason.

The Jets put themselves in position to close out this series at Bell MTS Place thanks to Hellebuyck and his 30 saves in Game 4. They outscored Minnesota 7-3 in the first two home games and have won 11 games in a row there dating back to March 2.

In fact, the Nashville Predators are the last team to beat Winnipeg at home 6-5 on February 27.

The Jets have won the past five home meetings with the Wild, according to the OddsShark NHL Database, along with eight of 10.

Smart betting pick

During Winnipeg's five-game home winning streak against Minnesota, three of the matchups were decided by just one goal, so it is hard to recommend a play on the puck line here. Instead, the safest pick is to take the Jets to simply advance on the money line despite the high price.

The Wild may put up another good fight, but they are limited offensively without Zach Parise and will not be able to stay alive.

NHL betting trends

Minnesota is 2-5 in its last seven games.

Minnesota is 1-6 in its last seven games on the road.

Winnipeg is 8-1 in its last nine games.

All NHL odds and betting trends according to Bleacher Report's official odds partner, OddsShark. Check out OddsShark on Twitter and Instagram or head to YouTube for more betting picks and analysis on this week's top games. You can also download the free odds tracker app.