Analyzing Thursday’s Winnipeg Jets at Boston Bruins odds and lines, with NHL expert picks, predictions and best bets.

Thursday night in the NHL features the Winnipeg Jets visiting the Boston Bruins at TD Garden in a tantalizing matchup. Welcome to NHL Predictions here at Last Word on Hockey, where we preview and predict the upcoming slate of NHL games around the league each day!

The Bruins get a big boost on the blue line on Thursday night as both Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo return to the lineup for Boston’s matchup against the NHL-best Winnipeg Jets at TD Garden. McAvoy,

The Bruins will get a boost on their blue line on Thursday night, as defenseman Charlie McAvoy will rejoin the lineup when Boston hosts the Winnipeg Jets at TD Garden.

Before the Western Conference leader Winnipeg faces the best team in the Eastern Conference on Saturday, the Bruins will give them a pitstop in Boston.

Ford’s edgy play might come in handy against a Boston team the Jets thumped, 8-1, when they last met in December. Not to mention a 7-2 loss the Bruins suffered to lowly Buffalo on Tuesday. “They’re going to be a little ornery,” Arniel acknowledged. “But there’s been a lot of water under the bridge since that game. For both teams.”

Two teenage figure skaters, their mothers and two world champion coaches from Boston were among the 14 members of the skating community killed when an American Airlines flight

Only three other times all season have the Jets had at least that many power plays and failed to make the other team pay: Nov. 29 in Vegas (0-for-3), six days earlier in Nashville (0-for-3) and Nov. 14 in Tampa (0-for-5).

McAvoy, 27, missed each of the Bruins' last seven games due to injury. There is no question that they have missed him, as he is their No. 1 defenseman and plays in all situations. Now, the Bruins' blueline is getting its star back against a very good Jets club.

The Winnipeg Jets visit the Boston Bruins after Kyle Connor scored two goals in the Jets' 4-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens.

The Boston Bruins host the Winnipeg Jets this evening at TD Garden, and the NHL odds list Winnipeg as a -132 favorite. Winnipeg is in tremendous form, winning eight of its past 11 games. Six of those eight wins have come by at least a two-goal margin, and my Jets vs. Bruins predictions expect this trend to continue in Boston.

On top of welcoming his first child with his wife, Kiley, on Sunday, the Boston Bruins defenseman was named an alternate captain for Team USA for the upcoming NHL 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.