Parker’s prediction: Lightning crash on Hellebuyck Highway.
Jan 29, 2026 • 10:01 ET
• 3 min read
Photo By – Reuters Connect. Winnipeg Jets NHL goalie Connor Hellebuyck
The Winnipeg Jets are quietly turning the corner ahead of a true test against the electric Tampa Bay Lightning at Benchmark International Arena on Thursday, January 30.
While Tampa Bay has lit it up to the tune of a 15-1-1 heater, my Jets vs. Lightning predictions and top NHL picks are calling for Winnipeg star Connor Hellebuyck to keep this game close throughout.
Jets vs Lightning prediction
Jets vs Lightning best bet: First period Under 1.5 (-110)
Winnipeg Jets star Connor Hellebuyck is beginning to string together solid starts, and he sports a .913 save percentage and 2.47 GAA across his past six games.
The Jets will need saves tonight, too, because the Tampa Bay Lightning are on a 15-1-1 heater with a league-low 2.29 goals against per game and second-fewest expected goals against per 60 minutes at 5-on-5.
With Winnipeg allowing the eighth-fewest xGA per 60 at 5-on-5 during the same timeframe, and Hellebuyck turning his play around, a low-scoring first period is in the cards tonight.
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Jets vs Lightning same-game parlay
The Lightning have an unsustainably high 104.6 PDO during the highlighted heater, and the Jets are turning the corner with their own 6-2-2 stretch. Add Hellebuyck rounding into form, and Winnipeg can hang in Tampa tonight.
There’s been an uptick in shot volume from Winnipeg winger Cole Perfetti out of the holiday break, with his 8.36 shots and 17.47 attempts per 60 minutes pacing the Jets. He’s also recorded 2+ shots in 12 of the 17 games.
Jets vs Lightning SGP
Jets +1.5
First period Under 1.5
Cole Perfetti Over 1.5 shots
Jets vs Lightning odds
Moneyline: Jets +165 | Lightning -200
Puck Line: Jets +1.5 (-145) | Lightning -1.5 (+125)
Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-120) | Under 5.5 (+100)
Jets vs Lightning trend
The Jets have hit the first-period moneyline in seven of their last 14 games for +7.05 units and a 43% ROI. Find more NHL betting trends for Jets vs. Lightning.
How to watch Jets vs Lightning
Location
Benchmark International Arena, Tampa, FL
Date
Thursday, January 29, 2026
Puck drop
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
TSN3
Jets vs Lightning latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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Neil Parker is, first and foremost, a sports fan. A huge supporter of the Cowboys, Cubs, and Maple Leafs, he has managed to parlay his passion into writing gigs at some of the top websites in the industry.
Neil takes a numbers-based approach to his handicapping and complements his in-depth statistical analysis with a keen eye on the markets to provide the best available odds. He loves to lean on his rolodex of idioms to offset his inner nerd. When it comes to wagering, he throws down on anything that catches his eye at bet365, Betway and BetVictor. He also keeps a close eye on CoolBet because the polar bear brand often has outlier NHL and NFL moneyline prices.
Neil graduated with honors from St. Thomas University in 2007 before completing his BEd at Acadia University in 2010. After teaching a myriad of courses and subjects, he found a groove delivering fun lessons to exceptional learners in non-traditional classroom environments. If his decade-plus teaching run taught him anything about sports betting, it’s to stay the course and use the summer – or offseason – to refresh and prepare to be better in the year to come.
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