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Game Preview: St. Louis Blues @ Winnipeg Jets
The St. Louis Blues travel north to face the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, in a key Central Division showdown. Both teams enter this game tightly bunched in the Western Conference playoff picture, making this matchup critical for future tiebreakers.
The Blues bring a physical, forecheck-heavy style into Winnipeg, while the Jets continue to rely on goaltending and shot suppression to control games. This is the kind of divisional battle that often comes down to special teams and goaltending, making it a strong spot for bettors to analyze puck line and total angles.
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Odds and Key Information
This game is scheduled for an 8:00 PM ET start from Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg. The Jets opened as -145 favorites on the moneyline, while the Blues were priced at +125. The puck line features Winnipeg -1.5 (+160) and St. Louis +1.5 (-185). The game total opened at 5.5 goals, with both sides at -110.
You can compare the latest prices on the NHL odds page.
St. Louis Blues Outlook
The Blues enter the contest with a 13-13-3 record, stuck in the middle of a crowded Central Division race. Their defensive structure remains a strength, and they’re averaging just 2.9 goals against per game. However, scoring consistency has been an issue, as they rank near the bottom in 5-on-5 goals per 60 minutes.
Jordan Kyrou and Robert Thomas lead the offense, but depth scoring has been unreliable. The power play conversion rate is under 18%, which puts extra pressure on the top line. Goaltender Jordan Binnington has been solid, with a .912 save percentage and multiple quality starts in December.
For division futures and playoff positioning, check out the Central Division odds and predictions.
Winnipeg Jets Outlook
The Jets sit at 16-10-2 and have been climbing in the standings thanks to elite goaltending and a strong penalty kill. Connor Hellebuyck remains the team’s backbone, posting a .920 save percentage and ranking among the league leaders in goals saved above expected.
Offensively, the Jets are efficient but not flashy. Kyle Connor leads the way with 17 goals, while Nikolaj Ehlers and Mark Scheifele round out a top six that thrives on transition and clean zone exits. Defensively, Winnipeg ranks in the top 10 in expected goals against at 5-on-5.
Their home-ice form has been reliable all season, especially in divisional matchups. For more Western Conference futures, visit the conference predictions blog.
Key Matchup
This game may be decided in the trenches—net-front battles and rebound control. Winnipeg allows fewer high-danger chances than nearly every team in the NHL, and Hellebuyck cleans up most second attempts. The Blues will need to generate traffic and physical zone presence to create scoring chances, something they’ve struggled with on the road.
For tips on spotting edge in tight defensive games, review the concise guide to hockey betting.
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Betting Trends
Both teams trend toward the Under in tight divisional games. The Under has hit in six of Winnipeg’s last eight contests and in five of the Blues’ last seven road games. Winnipeg is 8-4 in home games this season, while St. Louis has lost five of its last six away.
To get more total strategy insights, use the alternate total points guide.
Projected Score and Final Picks
Projected Score: Winnipeg 3, St. Louis 2
Best Bet: Winnipeg Jets ML (-145)
Total Lean: Under 5.5
Why You Need Expert Picks
This matchup is a classic example of value being hidden in lower-profile games. Books often set tight lines, and market efficiency can make it difficult to find edge without advanced metrics. That’s why expert cappers are key.
Track our top NHL experts on the Handicappers Leaderboard and see who’s up in unit wins across December. They use analytics and rest advantage models to identify profitable picks others miss.
