Archive note: Technical commentary has been removed. This remains historical pregame coverage; original selections have been retained where stated.

Note: Final picks on our picks page may differ from this article's prediction, as they incorporate last-minute goalie confirmations, injury updates, and live odds closer to game time. Always check the picks page for the most up-to-date selections.

The Winnipeg Jets travel to Las Vegas for a critical matchup against the Golden Knights on April 13, 2026.

Team Form & Recent Performance

The Jets have captured three wins over their last five games, showcasing resilience and offensive capability. Winnipeg sits at 7-3-0 with solid positioning heading into this matchup. The team has had a full day of rest, allowing them to prepare fresh legs and tactical adjustments for the Vegas test.

Vegas is running hot with four wins in their last five contests, boasting an impressive 6-1-3 record. The Golden Knights' recent form is particularly concerning for Winnipeg, as Vegas has demonstrated consistency in both victory and limiting losses. Like the Jets, Vegas also has one day of rest, so neither team carries the fatigue disadvantage of a back-to-back situation.

This difference is critical—teams that consistently out-shoot their opponents tend to generate more scoring chances.

For a Jets Golden Knights pick to favor Winnipeg, the Jets would need to significantly outperform their metrics or catch Vegas in an uncharacteristic performance dip. The numbers suggest neither is likely.

Goalie Matchup

Winnipeg turns to Connor Hellebuyck, who carries a 23-22-11 record this season. While Hellebuyck is a capable netminder, his record reflects inconsistency that mirrors the team's mixed performance.

Vegas counters with Adin Hill (10-9-6), who will be counted on to continue his recent run of strong performances. Though Hill's record appears modest on paper, the Golden Knights' defensive metrics suggest he's been seeing easier work relative to his counterpart.

Prediction

According to WP Hockey Predictor, the Vegas Golden Knights are favored to win this matchup at Confident confidence tier, while the Winnipeg Jets sit. The Golden Knights' advantage across all three key possession metrics—combined with their superior recent form—gives Vegas a legitimate edge in this contest.

For your NHL picks, lean toward the Golden Knights, but acknowledge that Hellebuyck's ability to post strong performances and potential Winnipeg scoring depth could produce an upset. Run your own prediction to explore different scenarios.

Note: Final picks on our picks page may differ from this article's prediction, as they incorporate last-minute goalie confirmations, injury updates, and live odds closer to game time. Always check the picks page for the most up-to-date selections.