Game Details
Puckdrop is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET.
Venue: Canada Life Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba. This is the home arena for the Winnipeg Jets, with a capacity of approximately 15,321 for hockey games. It’s known for its intimate atmosphere and passionate fanbase, having hosted the Jets since 2011 (formerly MTS Centre) and featuring modern amenities like high-definition video boards.
Recent Team Forms
Vegas Golden Knights: The Golden Knights are in a rut, going 0-5 SU in their last five games (including OT losses), with defensive lapses allowing 3+ goals in four of those. They’ve been outscored 18-10 in this stretch, highlighting issues in closing games.
Their last five games:
Jan 4, 2026: L 2-4 at Seattle Kraken (struggled offensively; held to 24 shots).
Jan 2, 2026: L 3-4 OT vs. Calgary Flames (rallied but fell in OT; power-play failures).
Dec 31, 2025: L 1-3 vs. Edmonton Oilers (poor third period; one goal on 28 shots).
Dec 29, 2025: L 2-5 at Vancouver Canucks (defensive collapse; allowed four in second period).
Dec 27, 2025: L 3-4 OT vs. Los Angeles Kings (competitive but OT loss; turnovers key). Overall form: L-L-OTL-L-OTL, with a -8 goal differential in the last five. Road form is solid overall (9-5-6), but recent trends show 1-4 SU in last five away, with the total going OVER in 6 of last 8 games. Season stats: 3.25 GPG (12th), 3.10 GAA (18th), 30.5 shots per game (20th).
Winnipeg Jets: The Jets are in freefall, riding a nine-game losing streak (0-9 SU), being outscored 38-20 in that span with poor special teams (65% PK).
Their last five games reflect ongoing woes:
Jan 4, 2026: L 3-5 vs. Minnesota Wild (third-period meltdown; allowed three unanswered).
Jan 2, 2026: L 2-4 at St. Louis Blues (limited to 22 shots; offensive drought).
Dec 31, 2025: L 1-3 vs. Nashville Predators (shut down; one goal on 25 shots).
Dec 29, 2025: L 3-6 at Chicago Blackhawks (defensive breakdowns; six goals allowed).
Dec 27, 2025: L 2-4 vs. Dallas Stars (competitive early but faded). Overall form: L-L-L-L-L, with a -12 goal differential in the last five. Home form is weak (7-13-2), with 1-5 SU in last six at Canada Life Centre, and the total going OVER in 4 of last 6 games. Season stats: 2.85 GPG (24th), 3.65 GAA (30th), 28.2 shots per game (28th).
Series History
The Vegas Golden Knights hold a strong edge over the Winnipeg Jets in their all-time series, leading 19-11-0 overall (including playoffs) and 11-9-0 in regular-season games. Vegas has dominated recently, going 9-1 SU in their last 10 meetings, outscoring Winnipeg by an average of 1.5 goals per game (3.9-2.4). On the road, the Golden Knights are 6-0 SU in their last six visits to Winnipeg, with a +12 goal differential in those games. The series often features high scoring, with the OVER hitting in 8 of the last 12 encounters (average 6.3 combined goals). Their most recent matchup was a Vegas win in December 2025, continuing their streak. This inter-conference rivalry highlights Vegas’s speed against Winnipeg’s physicality, but the Jets have struggled to contain the Knights’ attack.
Injury Report
Vegas Golden Knights:
Alex Pietrangelo (D): Out (hip; on IR, expected to miss multiple weeks).
Brayden McNabb (D): Day-to-day (upper-body; missed recent games, game-time decision).
William Karlsson (C): Out (lower-body; on IR, week-to-week).
Shea Theodore (D): Out (upper-body; on IR, indefinite).
Adin Hill (G): Out (lower-body; on IR, expected back mid-January).
Jakub Demek (C): Out (undisclosed; on IR, long-term).
Jack Eichel (C): Questionable (illness; day-to-day, monitor pre-game status). The Golden Knights’ blue line is severely depleted, forcing reliance on younger defenders like Kaedan Korczak, and goaltending falls to Logan Thompson amid Hill’s absence.
Winnipeg Jets:
Logan Stanley (D): Out (suspended one game for roughing; misses this matchup).
No other major injuries reported as of January 5, 2026. The Jets are relatively healthy, with their core intact, though minor day-to-day issues (e.g., illnesses) could arise.
Key Player Matchups
This inter-conference tilt pits Vegas’s skilled forwards against Winnipeg’s veteran core, with goaltending likely deciding a potentially low-scoring affair given both teams’ slumps.
Jack Eichel (VGK, C) vs. Mark Scheifele (WPG, C): If Eichel plays (illness), his playmaking (30+ points) tests Scheifele’s two-way game (team-leading scorer). Scheifele’s faceoff edge (52%) could control possession, but Eichel’s speed may exploit Jets’ weak defense.
Jonathan Marchessault (VGK, F) vs. Kyle Connor (WPG, F): Marchessault (sniper, 20 goals) matches Connor’s scoring threat (top Jets goal-scorer). This wing battle highlights perimeter shooting, with Marchessault’s experience giving Vegas an edge in transitions.
Mark Stone (VGK, F) vs. Josh Morrissey (WPG, D): Stone (captain, versatile winger) tests Morrissey’s shutdown defense (elite puck-mover). Stone’s forechecking could force turnovers, while Morrissey aims to limit Vegas’s cycle game.
Logan Thompson (VGK, G) vs. Connor Hellebuyck (WPG, G): Thompson (.905 SV%, filling in for Hill) faces Hellebuyck (.910 SV%, Jets’ backbone despite team slump). Goaltending favors Hellebuyck at home, but Thompson’s recent form could keep it close.
Betting Trends
Vegas Golden Knights: 18-22 ATS overall (9-11 ATS away); 20-20 on over/under (10-10 O/U away). Trends: 0-5 SU in last 5 games; OVER in 6 of last 8 overall; 9-1 SU in last 10 vs. Jets; 1-4 SU in last 5 road games; 6-0 SU in last 6 road vs. Jets; OVER in 8 of last 10 vs. Western Conference opponents.
Winnipeg Jets: 16-24 ATS overall (8-14 ATS home); 18-22 on over/under (9-13 O/U home). Trends: 0-9 SU in last 9 games; OVER in 4 of last 6 overall; 1-5 SU in last 6 home games; 0-6 SU in last 6 home vs. Vegas; OVER in 8 of last 12 vs. Vegas; OVER in 4 of last 5 vs. Pacific Division teams.
Head-to-Head: Vegas 9-1 SU in last 10; OVER in 8 of last 12 (average 6.3 goals). NHL trends: Road favorites like Vegas are 58% ATS vs. sub-.500 teams; games involving slumping underdogs like Jets hit the OVER 55% when totals are 5.5+.
Game Odds
Vegas Golden Knights – 115
Winnipeg Jets 5.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, January 5, 2026
