Winnipeg Jets vs Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction, 1/29/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Winnipeg Jets vs Tampa Bay Lightning

Date: Thursday, January 29, 2026

Location: Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL

TV: WXPX-TV

The Tampa Bay Lightning (33-14-4) will compete against the Winnipeg Jets (20-24-7) at Amalie Arena on Thursday.

The Winnipeg Jets will look for better times on the ice after their 5-1 defeat against the Red Wings in their last outing. Winnipeg accrued 6 penalty mins in this game. Moreover, they had 1 power play chance but didn't get a goal. The Jets could have played much better offensively in this loss. In the outing, they converted 1 of the 27 shots they attempted.

When at even strength, the Jets let the opposition score 124 goals while earning 120 as an offensive unit. Winnipeg Jets opponents have earned 156 power play opportunities (14th in the league) and have a total of 32 goals in those attempts. With respect to their goal scoring prowess, the Winnipeg Jets have tallied 148 goals (22nd in the National Hockey League) on the year and have given up 156. Winnipeg has taken 1,336 shots and has a shooting percentage of 11.1%. For the current campaign, they have recorded 47 points and their points percentage sits at .461. The Jets have had 1,421 shots attempted against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .890. Winnipeg has tallied 141 power play opportunities and they have notched 28 goals out of those advantages, earning them a rate of 19.86%.

The man in goal for this game is Connor Hellebuyck. Hellebuyck has been involved in 600 matchups throughout his NHL career. He has amassed an overall record of 334-199-50 and he has started in 590 games. The opposition has racked up 1,492 goals versus Hellebuyck in his NHL career and his goals against rate is 2.53. Hellebuyck has seen 17,944 shots taken against him and has gathered 16,452 total saves. His save percentage sits at .917 for his 30,184 minutes guarding the cage. In his career, Hellebuyck has earned 353 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .598.

In their last contest, Tampa Bay squared up with the Mammoth in an outing where the Lightning ended up with the win by a tally of 2-0. They had 4 power play opportunities in this one and earned 2 out of those tries. The Lightning scored 2 goals out of the 29 shots on goal they pursued.

The Lightning are sitting with 142 goals at even strength and 34 goals (11th in the league) while having a power play advantage. Tampa Bay has attempted 1,402 shots (21st in pro hockey) and has earned a shot percentage of 12.55%, while allowing their opponents 1,331 shots. So far this year, the Tampa Bay Lightning have tallied 176 goals, 70 points, as well as a points percentage of .686. They have permitted 128 goals to be scored by of a combination of 103 goals at even strength and 25 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have a tally of 159 power play opportunities and they have a power play percentage of 21.38%. They have a penalty kill percentage of 84.38% on their opponents 160 power play opportunities, and their save percentage currently sits at 90.4%.

Across the ice you are likely to see Andrei Vasilevskiy protecting the goal. Vasilevskiy has a lifetime record of 354-170-38 and has participated in 573 games. Vasilevskiy's rate of quality starts comes out to 58.8% and he has accumulated 331 quality starts in his professional career. He has recorded 15,545 saves out of the 16,948 shots taken against him, giving him a save % of .917. The opposition is averaging 2.49 goals per game and he has surrendered 1,403 goals overall. He has started in 563 games and has racked up 28,702 minutes.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Winnipeg

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