Winnipeg Jets vs Florida Panthers 28 October 2026 Prediction

Winnipeg is in a serious slump after several consecutive losses dropped the team into the bottom half of the standings. Vancouver’s poor record should at least keep the Jets out of last place in the Western Conference. Florida is in a better position. The Panthers remain in the Eastern Conference playoff race and continue to pick up points regularly.

Winnipeg’s Slump Continues

Scott Arniel’s team has been unable to end its extended run of poor results. The Jets also recently parted ways with Connor Hellebuyck, the one player capable of carrying Winnipeg through a difficult stretch. The Canadian team enters this matchup with six losses in its last seven games. Its only win during that span came against a solid Minnesota side, 5-2.

The end of the recent road trip was more encouraging. Winnipeg earned one point in Texas after a 3-2 overtime loss to Dallas. The Stars held a significant advantage in expected goals (4.1 to 1.6) and shots on goal (37-18), but the Jets were much more efficient with their chances.

Winnipeg Predicted Lineup: Skinner (Stevenson); Samberg, Pionk; Connor, Scheifele, Perfetti

Full Roster: Defensemen: Ferraro, Salomonsson, Fleury, DeMelo; forwards: Iafallo, Bjork, Vilardi, Mercer, Lowry, Rosen, Niederreiter, Barron, Koepke

Unavailable: Morrissey, Namestnikov, Bjugstad (all injured)

Manager: Scott Arniel

Florida Remains Inconsistent

Florida has struggled to produce consistent results, alternating winning stretches with losing runs. As a result, the Panthers remain outside the Eastern Conference playoff spots. They have regularly dropped points against conference rivals but have performed better against Western Conference opponents.

Paul Maurice’s team opened its road trip in Canada’s capital with a 5-1 loss to Ottawa. Florida then suffered a 4-0 defeat against Pittsburgh before responding with a 3-2 win over Chicago. The Panthers outshot the Blackhawks 32-22 but trailed 3.9 to 3.3 in expected goals. Lars Eller scored the winner late in the third period, his first goal for his new team.

Florida Predicted Lineup: Schmid (Black); Forsling, Ekblad; B. Tkachuk, Bennett, M. Tkachuk

Full Roster: Defensemen: Mikkola, Jones, Kulikov, Gudas; forwards: Verhaeghe, Reinhart, Vilmanis, Luostarinen, Lundell, Eller, Imama, Schwindt, Hathaway

Unavailable: Gadjovich, Barkov, Marchand, Markstrom (all injured)

Manager: Paul Maurice

Winnipeg Holds the Head-to-Head Edge

Winnipeg has controlled the recent head-to-head series, winning six of the last eight meetings and failing to earn a point only once during that span. Florida’s win in the 2025-26 season came in a shootout, 2-1. One week later, the Jets responded with a 2-1 victory. The Panthers opened the scoring in that game, but Winnipeg came back to win.

What to Know

Florida generates 3.3 expected goals per game, the seventh-best mark in the NHL.

The Panthers take 5.3 penalties per game, the highest average in the league.

Winnipeg has converted only 9.2% of its shots on goal. Just six teams have a lower shooting percentage.

Winnipeg Jets vs Florida Panthers Prediction: Florida Panthers to Win

Main Prediction: The Jets have lost five straight games, including a defeat against Chicago. Florida has produced better results recently, recording wins over Seattle, Vancouver, and the Blackhawks. The Panthers also won their most recent meeting in Winnipeg. The main pick is Florida Panthers to win at 2.30. Predicted score: 3-2.

Totals Prediction: Neither offense has been particularly effective. Winnipeg scored only nine goals over its last five games, while three of Florida’s last five contests finished with five total goals or fewer. The previous two head-to-head meetings both ended 2-1, making under 5.5 goals at 2.20 the preferred totals pick.