Free NHL Picks Today: New York Islanders vs Winnipeg Jets 2/22/23

The New York Islanders (29-24-7) and their suffocating penalty killing defense host the Winnipeg Jets (35-21-1), one of the NHL’s weakest power play offenses, at UBS Arena on Wednesday. Winnipeg is playing their last of four games on the road coming off a 4-1 win over the Rangers on Monday.

The Jets committed five penalties in the game, though they held the Rangers without a power play goal. Mark Scheifele was the top goalscorer for the Jets with two goals. Kyle Connor had a goal and two assists to lead the team in scoring.

Connor Hellebuyck saved an impressive 50 of 51 shots (.980%) in the win. New York beat the Penguins 4-2 on Monday. Brock Nelson scored twice to lead the Islanders. Ilya Sorokin was impressive in the win, making 44 saves (.956%).

HEAD TO HEAD

The Islanders won both games between the teams last season, including a 5-2 victory in their final meeting in March, their fifth straight win against Winnipeg. Four players had two points for New York. Blake Wheeler and Connor were on the scoresheet for Winnipeg. Semyon Varlamov got the win, saving 27 of 29 shots (.931%).

FACING OFF

Winnipeg is averaging 3.14 goals per game for the season, 16th in the NHL, and they are taking on an Islanders team that is allowing 2.77 goals a game (9th).

Meanwhile, New York has found the net 2.92 times a game on average, 24th in the league, and the Jets are holding opponents to 2.60 goals per game (3rd).

The Islanders’ 30th-ranked power play offense (16.47%) will be put to the test against the Jets, who are the league’s third-best penalty killing team (83.95%).

Winnipeg, meanwhile, has scored on 21.86% of their power play opportunities (13th), which the away team will be seeking to build on against New York’s sixth-ranked 82.18% penalty killing rate.

TOP PERFORMERS:

With 65 points this season, Connor is the top skater for the Jets. He has 26 goals and 39 assists in 57 games. In the net, Hellebuyck (25-16-1) is Winnipeg’s top goaltender. He has a 2.43 GAA and a .924% save percentage, fourth-best in the league.

Nelson leads the Islanders in scoring with 57 points. He has 26 goals and 31 assists. Sorokin (18-17-5) has the best goals against average for New York at 2.44. He has a save percentage of .923%, fifth-best in the league.