The Winnipeg Jets have gone 3-1-1 of their previous 5 contests and have seemingly discovered a solution to play aggressive hockey with out their greatest defensive defenseman, Dylan Samberg, and an necessary prime six ahead, Nikolaj Ehlers. Their final outing towards the Vegas Golden Knights was probably the most lop-sided sport of that grouping, the place the opponents managed the move of puck possession and the Jets had troubles creating alternatives of their very own. That being mentioned, Winnipeg did play pretty effectively defensively towards the Knights, primarily maintaining them to the perimeter and permitting perennial Vezina candidate Connor Hellebuyck to do his factor when Vegas did get high quality appears. Sadly, a extremely questionable penalty awarded the guests a 2-man benefit, giving them an opportunity to tie issues up earlier than claiming an time beyond regulation victory.
Rookie Nikita Chibrikov continued to make an affect for the Jets, changing into the primary participant in franchise historical past to attain a objective in every of his first 3 NHL video games. His addition to the 2nd line has helped it thrive for the primary time since Ehlers was injured, permitting Winnipeg to get the higher of the anticipated objectives battle previously two video games once they had been on the ice.
That brings me to a different matter….Cole Perfetti. I constantly see followers disparaging the play of the 22 yr previous ahead, even going so far as to counsel GM Kevin Cheveldayoff ought to commerce the younger winger. That led me to do a dive into Cole’s stats to try to uncover what these folks had been seeing that I used to be not. Perfetti is at the moment on tempo for simply over 50 factors on the yr, which might barely surpass his tempo from his earlier 2 seasons. He’s additionally probably the greatest Jets’ forwards in lots of classes like shot blocks per sport, Corsi (shot makes an attempt), Fenwick (unblock pictures makes an attempt), on-ice objective share, & on-ice objective differential. Admittedly, there are negatives within the numbers too. Perfetti will not be nice at defensive zone exits and for probably the most half finally ends up simply chipping the puck out of his finish (i.e. uncontrolled zone exit), however that could be a widespread theme for Winnipeg wingers. Cole’s capturing share is 2.5% decrease than final yr and solely David Gustafsson & Morgan Barron have a worse capturing expertise above common score. That’s one thing that needs to be anticipated to enhance primarily based on Perfetti’s historic numbers. The most important downside that I may see within the stats is how Cole’s affect is way much less when taking part in at 5 on 5 this yr. Take a look at MoneyPuck’s graphic under to see how the younger winger has finished in key stat classes in his quick profession (1st is all conditions & 2nd is at 5 on 5):
Nicely, whereas Cole will at all times be thought of under-sized and there are undoubtedly areas for Perfetti to work on sooner or later (moving into the excessive hazard areas at even power), I don’t see any motive to think about giving up on a younger gifted offensive participant at this level in his profession. Particularly since he’s already producing like a low-level 2nd liner and hasn’t come near reaching his peak. Anyhow….that’s the finish of that rant, lets get onto wanting on the upcoming sport.
The Winnipeg Jets (21-9-1) can be internet hosting the Montreal Canadiens (11-15-3) to finish their 4 sport house stand, prompting a go to from former Jet Patrik Laine (4 pts in 5 gms).
The Habs have received 3 of their final 5 contests and appear to choose up a “W” when they can restrict the opposition to 2 objectives or much less. Les Canadiens could possibly be in a foul temper for tonight’s conflict, as they’re coming off a 9-2 beat down by the lowly Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday. Montreal is pretty wholesome, with defender David Savard listed as day-to-day and the long-time injured goalie Carey Value on the shelf.
Right here is how PuckPedia is predicting the coaches will line up their gamers when the puck drops at 6 pm Central:
The Montreal Canadiens’ two largest stars this season are clearly forwards Nick Suzuki (30 pts in 29 gms) and Cole Caufield (26 in 29), however additionally they have 4 different gamers with no less than 15 factors. A kind of gamers is a man who makes Ville Heinola appear to be an enormous, 5’6′ 162 lb defender Lane Hutson (19 pts in 29 gms/-14). Their beginning goalie Sam Montembeault has been having an honest yr (.901 save %), which was adequate for him to seize a spot with Canada for the upcoming 4 Nations tourney.
The Winnipeg Jets have six skaters with greater than 20 factors in Kyle Connor (36 pts), Mark Scheifele (34), Josh Morrissey (28), Nikolaj Ehlers (25), Neal Pionk (24), & Gabriel Vilardi (22), and that doesn’t embody the six gamers with factors within the 10-19 vary. All indicators level to a different Connor Hellebuyck begin (.926 save %), so the Habs ought to have their work lower out for them.
Primarily based on the numbers under within the Match Up part of the preview, the Winnipeg Jets ought to have an enormous benefit in objectives for/towards and pictures for/towards….although each franchises have succesful particular groups.
Nicely, that’s about on a regular basis I’ve for this text…..so I’ll go away it to the Arctic Ice Members to additional talk about the upcoming match between the Jets & Canadiens. Lets hear within the remark part whether or not it will likely be Winnipeg or Montreal that walks away blissful after the Hockey Night time in Canada conflict.
If you wish to hear what Hab followers’ are speaking about first…try the Recreation Preview from Eyes On The Prize:
The BOJA Increase hasn’t been as impactful currently, however I hope that my Perfetti rant & the Preview article predominant picture can be sufficient to get the teen again within the objective scoring column tonight.
Benefit from the return of the first rate climate (-6 to 0 Celsius) within the Peg by getting outdoors this weekend. Have an incredible day!
Go Winnipeg!!!!
