Full disclosure it’s not been the kind of week you’d hope for when launching a premium service, but the sun comes up again tomorrow (today), and with it comes a new and wonderous chance at being great comes with it. And that is exactly what I plan on doing today because we have a delicious slate of NHL hockey on tap. So buckle up that chinstrap, come with me on the forecheck, and let’s bang in a couple of winners.
NOTE: I will also be posting later this afternoon with the player props I like from both the NBA and NHL. So if for whatever reason the early slate of CFB didn’t work your way, and you require some emergency get me out of the hole (+) signs, make sure you check your inbox. The hope is to have it done and sent your way by 430 p.m. EST, but Saturdays can be busy so I make no promises. At the very worst by the time Supper hits the table, they will be ready for you!
Puck Picks
YTD Record —— 69-93-1 (+0.9 Units)
Newsletter Record —— 6-15 (-3.8 Units)
Winnipeg Jets vs Arizona Coyotes
The Arizona Coyotes will be playing host to the Winnipeg Jets on a Saturday afternoon in the desert, and I’ll once again be howling at the moon alongside the Coyotes in this one. After years of total failure for this Coyotes organization, they may finally be on their way to competing, or at least that is what the underlying numbers are saying so far through the early part of the season. Despite not necessarily having the most star-studded of lineups, the Yotes are driving play at a pretty elite level, ranking 4th in xG created per 60 minutes. They are also currently ranked 5th in expected goals percentage, which would put them alongside the likes of the Kings, Bruins, and Oilers in terms of creating chances offensively.
Meanwhile, for Winnipeg, the start of the season hasn’t been the most inspiring in terms of results or process. Through the first 10 games of the season, the Jets are a pedestrian 4-4-2, and the offense, despite the plethora of changes in the offseason, still remains very much middle of the pack. Entering Saturday’s action they are 15th in terms of goals scored at 5-on-5, and frankly, even those numbers are likely a little inflated as they’ve outscored their xG by 4 whole goals already this season. Moreover, while in theory the goaltending edge should be shaded toward the Jets most nights, the performances of all-star Connor Hellybuck have been up and down. The typically rock-solid Hellybuck has posted negative saves above expected over his first 8 starts, which doesn’t exactly lead to success when playing in front of a team that is 29th in terms of High Danger shots allowed.
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Coochie vs The Bookie to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.