NHL Hockey Picks and Tips: Winnipeg Jets vs Carolina Hurricanes

Monday, January 23, 2012

Frank Martin

NHL Hockey Picks and Tips: Winnipeg Jets vs Carolina Hurricanes

The Winnipeg Jets have struggled on the road this season and that's where they'll find themselves until Feb. 7. The Jets begin a six-game road trip on Monday against the Southeast Division rival Carolina Hurricanes. Claude Noel's club hasn't fared well away from Manitoba, posting a 7-12-4 mark.

The Jets' task has also gotten tougher with the loss of leading scorer Evander Kane, who has been diagnosed with a concussion. It is not known when or how he was injured. "It's a fairly gray area, and you just don't know what you're dealing with. That's the problem," Noel said. "Is it going to be a few days? Is it going to be a few weeks? You don't know.

But I'll handle that the way I've had to deal with everything else. We have what we have." Carolina knows that situation all too well since promising star Jeff Skinner had just returned from a month-long absence because of a concussion. The reigning Calder Trophy winner netted the goal in a 2-1 setback to the New York Islanders on Saturday.

- Winnipeg Jets @ Carolina Hurricanes
When: 7:00 PM ET, Monday, January 23, 2012
Where: RBC Center, Raleigh, North Carolina
TV: 7 p.m. ET, TSN (Winnipeg), FS Carolina

The Hurricanes have opened as 130-moneyline favorites on SBG Global Sportsbook’s Live NHL Hockey Odds.

Winnipeg Jets (22-20-6): While Winnipeg mourns the loss of Kane, it welcomed back defenseman Zach Bogosian during Saturday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Florida Panthers. The blueliner had been sidelined for five games with a lower body injury, but registered a team-high nine shots in his return. All-Star defenseman Dustin Byfuglien skated with a non-contact jersey in practice this weekend, but his return to game action is unclear, Noel said.

Carolina Hurricanes (17-24-9): With the NHL's trade deadline looming, Carolina shipped left wing Alexei Ponikarovsky to the New Jersey Devils for minor league defenseman Joe Sova and a draft pick Friday. Considering the struggling Hurricanes' place in the standings, they may not be done swapping veterans for prospects. Rookie defenseman Justin Faulk earned a spot at the NHL All-Star Weekend and will compete in the skills competition. Faulk has averaged a rookie-best 22 minutes of ice time this season.

Bet on Hockey

1. Winnipeg has won all three meetings this season against Carolina.

2. Carolina goaltender Cam Ward has enjoyed success versus the Jets/Thrashers, posting a 19-10-3 career mark against the franchise.

NHL PREDICTION: Hurricanes 4, Jets 3

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alexei ponikarovsky - cam ward - carolina hurricanes - claude noel - dustin byfuglien - evander kane - jeff skinner - justin faulk - rbc center - winnipeg jets