Jets vs Lightning Prediction 1/29/2026 Today’s NHL Picks

In this article we will formulate a Jets vs Lightning prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, January 29th at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

Winnipeg Jets Betting Preview

The Winnipeg Jets are 21-24-7 this season after they defeated New Jersey by a score of 4-3 in their last game. Winnipeg had their lead cut from 4-1 to 4-3 in the third, but they were able to hold on for the win. The Jets were out shot by a total of 29-26, won 52.1% of the face-offs, and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Winnipeg got goals from Koepke, Niederreiter, Scheifele, and Vilardi, while Hellebuyck stopped 26 out of 29 shots, which was an .897 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Winnipeg lost to the Red Wings by a score of 5-1 and the Panthers by a score of 2-1. The Jets have lost four of their last six games and they are currently seventh in the Central standings with 49 points. Winnipeg has scored 2.92 goals per game and they have allowed 3.06 goals against per game, while also going 19.6% on the power play and 79.1% on the penalty kill this season. Mark Scheifele has led Winnipeg with 26 goals and 37 assists, while Kyle Connor has added 23 goals and 37 assists. The projected starting goalie for Winnipeg is Connor Hellebuyck, who is 13-14-6 with a 2.70 goals against average and a .902 save percentage this season. 

Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Preview

The Tampa Bay Lightning are 33-14-4 this year after they defeated Utah by a score of 2-0 in their last game. Tampa Bay scored once in the second period and once in the third in the shutout win. The Lightning out shot Utah by a total of 29-28, won 48.1% of the face-offs, and went 2-4 on the power play in the game. Tampa Bay got goals from Cirelli and Raddysh, while Vasilevskiy stopped all 28 shots in the shutout victory. 

Prior to that game, Tampa Bay lost to the Blue Jackets by a score of 8-5, but did beat the Blackhawks by a score of 2-1 before that. The Lightning have won four of their last five games and they are currently first in the Atlantic standings with 70 points. Tampa Bay has scored 3.45 goals per game and they have allowed 2.51 goals against per game, while also going 21.4% on the power play and 84.4% on the penalty kill this season. Nikita Kucherov has led TB with 26 goals and 54 assists, while Jake Guentzel has added 24 goals and 31 assists. The projected starting goalie for Tampa Bay is Andrei Vasilevskiy, who is 23-7-3 with a 2.07 goals against average and a .920 save percentage this year. 

Why the Tampa Bay Lightning will win

• The Jets have lost each of their last eight night games against Atlantic Division opponents.
• The Lightning have won each of their last seven games when playing with a rest advantage.
• The home team has covered the puck line in each of the Lightning’s last four games.
• The Jets have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last four games at Benchmark International Arena when playing with a rest disadvantage.
• The Jets have lost the third period in six of their last seven games as underdogs when tied after the second period.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Lightning’s last seven night games against Central Division opponents have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Each of the Jets’ last five Thursday road games have gone OVER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in nine of the Jets’ last 10 games as road underdogs.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2’ market has hit in each of the Lightning’s last seven games as home favorites against the Jets.

Tampa Bay Lightning Player Prop Facts

• Anthony Cirelli has scored a goal in each of the Lightning’s last four games against Central Division opponents at Benchmark International Arena.
• Nikita Kucherov has recorded at least one assist in eight of the Lightning’s last nine games against Central Division opponents at Benchmark International Arena.
• Anthony Cirelli has scored the last goal in three of the Lightning’s last four games against Central Division opponents at Benchmark International Arena.

Winnipeg Jets Player Prop Facts

• Josh Morrissey has recorded at least one assist in each of the Jets’ last four games as road underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents.
• Mark Scheifele has scored at least one goal in three of the Jets’ last four games as underdogs.

Jets vs Lightning Prediction 

Tampa Bay rolls into this matchup as one of the best teams in the NHL so far this year and they have allowed one goal or fewer in four of their last five games. The Lightning are 14-9-0 at home this year, while the Jets are 9-14-2 on the road. Winnipeg has been very inconsistent all season and they have scored one goal or fewer in three of their last five. I think this is a very tough matchup for the Jets and I expect the Lightning to win pretty easily. Take Tampa Bay -1.5 here.

David Racey's Pick: Lightning -1.5