Los Angeles Kings vs Winnipeg Jets Prediction & Picks - NHL

Prediction published on 1/9/26, 4:02 PM  by Taavi Pailk in NHL Picks

The Los Angeles Kings will attempt to pile more misery on the struggling Winnipeg Jets on Friday at Canada Life Centre.

The Jets had only two wins in December, and Tuesday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights marked their 10th consecutive defeat. It has been an incredible fall from grace for the Jets, who are stuck at the bottom of the NHL a year after finishing with the best regular-season record.

Reigning MVP Connor Hellebuyck hasn’t replicated his form from the previous campaign, and the team's offensive performance has not been good enough. The Jets average only 2.85 goals per game, putting them among the league’s lowest-scoring sides.

The Kings have an even poorer attacking record, managing 2.67 goals a night. However, they are one of the best defensive units in the NHL, making them tough to break down. Over the course of the season, Jim Hiller’s side has suffered only 14 regulation defeats.

L.A. opened 2026 with a 5-3 loss against the Tampa Bay Lightning, but Hiller’s men have since posted a 2-0-1 record. They recently beat a top-class Minnesota Wild team in back-to-back games before going down 4-3 in overtime against the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday.