Tampa Bay Lightning vs Winnipeg Jets Prediction, 3/5/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Tampa Bay Lightning vs Winnipeg Jets

Date: Thursday, March 5, 2026

Location: Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, MB

TV: TSN3

The Winnipeg Jets (23-26-10) host the Tampa Bay Lightning (38-16-4) at Canada Life Centre on Thursday.

The Tampa Bay Lightning were on the wrong end of the scoreboard with a 5-1 loss to the Wild their last time on the ice. Tampa Bay garnered 20 minutes in the box for this matchup. The Lightning offense left a lot to be desired in the loss. Additionally, they had 3 chances on the power play but weren't able to score. In the matchup, they finished 1 of the 25 shots they attempted.

Concerning scoring goals, the Tampa Bay Lightning have racked up 205 goals (4th in the NHL) over the course of the season and have conceded 151. For the season, the have a total of 80 points and their points percentage comes in at .690. Tampa Bay steps onto the ice with 183 power play opportunities and they have notched 40 goals during those advantages, earning them a rate of 21.86%. At even strength, the Lightning let the opposition score 120 goals while earning 165 as an offensive unit. Tampa Bay has tried 1,650 shots and has a shot percentage of 12.4%. The Lightning have seen 1,551 shots taken against them and have a save percentage of .903. Tampa Bay Lightning opponents have earned 183 power play tries (9th in pro hockey) and have earned 31 goals in those chances.

The player protecting the goal in this game is Andrei Vasilevskiy. For his career, Vasilevskiy has accounted for 334 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .587. He has a save percentage of .917 for his 28,716 minutes in the crease. Vasilevskiy has had 17,114 shot attempts against him and has gathered 15,694 saves. The opposition has been able to score 1,420 goals versus Vasilevskiy in his professional career and his goals against average per game is 2.50. He has a mark of 359-171-38 and he has gotten the start in 569 games. Vasilevskiy has been in net for 579 games over the course of his professional hockey career.

The last time they were on the ice, Winnipeg squared up with the Blackhawks in a matchup where the Jets earned a win by a mark of 3-2. They had 2 power play chances in this game but weren't able to notch a goal. The Jets recorded 3 goals out of the 32 shots on goal they took.

Winnipeg has attempted 1,560 shots (24th in pro hockey) and has a shot percentage of 10.71%, while allowing the other team 1,666 shots. They have a penalty kill percentage of 79.31% on their opponents 174 power play chances, and their save percentage currently sits at 89.1%. They have recorded 167 power play chances and they have a power play rate of 18.56%. The Jets have scored 136 goals at even strength and 31 goals (22nd in pro hockey) while on the power play. They have permitted 182 goals to be scored by of a combination of 146 goals at even strength and 36 goals while they were shorthanded. For the year, the Winnipeg Jets have accumulated 167 goals, 56 points, in addition to a points percentage of .475.

Across the ice you are likely to see Connor Hellebuyck defending the goal. Hellebuyck has amassed a lifetime mark of 335-201-53 and has played in 606 games. Hellebuyck's quality start rate comes out to 59.6% and he has made 355 quality starts in his career. He is sitting with 16,623 saves out of the 18,136 shots attempted, which gives him a save percentage of .917. Opponents are averaging 2.54 goals per game and he has allowed 1,513 goals altogether. He has started in 596 contests and has accumulated 30,199 minutes.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Josh's Pick: Take Winnipeg

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here