The Winnipeg Jets have picked up factors in 2 straight contests, which is one thing the NHL franchise hasn’t carried out since mid-November. With a 4-5-1 report over their final 10 video games, the True Northers have been fighting consistency and that has head coach Scott Arniel usually shuffling the forwards strains looking for offense. Tonight’s opponent for Winnipeg has additionally been having difficulties as of late, with the Edmonton Oilers sporting the identical 4-5-1 report up to now 10…however scoring targets is actually not their concern.
The Oilers (12-11-5) are sitting in 4th within the Pacific Division, however are tied for the eleventh worst report within the NHL. The northern Albertans are very succesful at lighting purple lamps, with the eighth most targets within the league (90 targets), however the issues come on the different finish of the ice the place Edmonton allowed 100 targets in opposition to (tied for 2nd most).
The Jets (14-12-1) are also tied for the eleventh worst report within the league, although our membership shall be within the sixth within the Central Division after they enter motion tonight. The variations proceed as Winnipeg’s offense and protection put them in ties for the thirteenth least targets scored and allowed (83 GF/79 GA).
Each squads are coming into tonight’s 9 pm Central begin on the Rogers Place off huge wins….with Eric Comrie serving to the Jets glide to a 4-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres and the Oilers flying excessive after a 9-4 throttling of the Seattle Kraken.
Lets soar to a take a look at Winnipeg & Edmonton’s seasons by trying out ESPN‘s crew & goaltender comparability numbers:
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The graphics above inform us that Winnipeg’s foremost benefit is on the defensive & goaltending facet of issues, although at this level I’ve but to obtain affirmation on whether or not rookie Thomas Milic will get the beginning in internet within the back-to-back state of affairs. Edmonton’s offense is nice in all conditions, at even power & with a person benefit, however perhaps a bit shocking to see in addition they have a very good penalty kill.
The True Northers bought right into a little bit of a run & gun recreation in opposition to the Sabres, which isn’t one thing I might advocate tonight in the event that they need to stroll out victorious. They need to additionally thoughts the various turnovers they gave up within the defensive & impartial zones…trigger the Oil received’t battle to make Winnipeg pay like Buffalo did final night time.
The Jets-Oilers contest will function among the NHL’s greatest scorers, as Edmonton’s Connor McDavid (tied for 2nd with 40 pts) & Leon Draisaitl (tied for eighth with 35) will go up in opposition to Mark Scheifele (tied for eighth with 35) & Kyle Connor (tied for eleventh with 34).
Haven’t seen any replace on the road up state of affairs for Winnipeg, so we don’t know the beginning goaltender or whether or not the mid-game transfer to place Adam Lowry in the course of Jonathan Toews & Cole Perfetti will carry over. For now, we are going to go along with PuckPedia‘s predicted line ups for tonight’s conflict, that are based mostly on the membership’s final video games:
WINNIPEG JETS LINE UP
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EDMONTON OILERS LINE UP
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I used to be going to submit one thing displaying the variations between the Oilers & Jets’ ahead strains scoring….however I didn’t need to depress anybody on this frigid chilly Saturday within the Peg. Everyone knows that secondary scoring is an issue and are anxiously awaiting targets from the True North center six.
That’s about all that I bought this afternoon….however regardless of seeing some constructive indicators final night time versus the Sabres, there may be nonetheless a lot work to do to tighten up the Jets’ play. Faster choice making is required, however that isn’t only a puck provider concern as a result of usually that delay in transferring the puck up the ice is as a result of the opposite gamers haven’t labored onerous sufficient to make themselves obtainable for the escape cross.
The remainder of December gives our crew little or no reprieve, because the schedule will proceed to throw high quality opposition just like the Dallas Stars, Washington Capitals, & Colorado Avalanche. Meaning each level issues….so right here’s hoping to see a full effort by the True Northers tonight. And if in any respect potential, a purpose by one of many many snake bitten forwards can be a lot appreciated.
Double header of hockey for me at the moment!! The Manitoba Moose will play the Iowa Wild at 6 pm Central, which I’m very a lot trying ahead to as a result of the Minnesota Wild’s AHL affiliate has scored the least quantity of targets within the minors whereas additionally permitting seventh most in opposition to. Hopefully the youngsters can pad their level columns within the two recreation weekend sequence. Keep heat everybody!!
Go Winnipeg!!!!!
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POST-GAME INFO
Scoring Abstract: (courtesy of ESPN)
FINAL SCORE: Edmonton Oilers 6 Winnipeg Jets 2
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Sport Stats: (courtesy of MoneyPuck)
Anticipated Objectives (all): EDM 4.58 WPG 1.85
Anticipated Objectives (5on5): EDM 4.07 WPG 1.66
One more recreation the place coach Arniel tried a bunch of ahead combos. Sadly solely 2 of them managed to win the anticipated targets battle, with the Iafallo-Scheifele-Connor doing properly (81.6%) in 6 minutes of enjoying time and Perfetti-Lowry-Toews (72.3%) in 4 & a half minutes. The targets in opposition to have been quite a few at 5 on 5 vs Edmonton, with solely the primary, fourth, & sixth strains above not permitting them to happen. Winnipeg pocketed 2 of their very own, as the unique 1st & 4th strains managed to attain within the third interval when the sport was already out of attain.
Simply so the defensemen didn’t really feel neglected of the road blender routine, the Jets’ teaching workers additionally iced 7 combos with over 3:41 of enjoying time at even power. The duos above solely allowed 3 of the targets in opposition to, with the Morrissey-DeMelo pairing letting 2 get by them and Samberg-Pionk permitting the opposite one. As soon as once more the worth of Sammy on the backend is clear within the numbers, with the American defender being on the one 2 duos with constructive xG scores.
Clearly the goalie info isn’t nice, however that’s what occurs when the crew in entrance of them doesn’t present as much as play and not likely a knock on the masked males. I additionally discovered the above chart confirmed simply how badly Winnipeg performed within the 1st interval, since Comrie confronted as many harmful scoring probabilities as Milic needed to face because the Oilers eased up within the ultimate two frames.
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BOJA’S Put up-Sport Ideas:
This one was ugly and I actually may solely abdomen to observe the first interval…..so I received’t have something to say about how the Jets-Oilers match performed out. In truth, I’m form of puzzled at this level. Clearly I anticipated a downturn from final season’s efficiency, however stupidly believed that any drop ought to be comparatively minor. Man, I whiffed on that prediction.
Like lots of the feedback from Winnipeg followers on this web site have identified, it’s baffling why the crew is making mistake after mistake this yr. The defensive system is strictly the identical because it was after they have been one of many NHL’s elite defensive squads, but now a membership that has 85% of the identical gamers is flirting with being one of many worst. I do know accidents have performed their position in issues…however with solely Connor Hellebuyck lacking at this level, that doesn’t clarify why the Jets are consistently dropping the xG battle at 5 on 5.
The info can clarify that simply too, for the reason that large variety of turnovers have resulted in failed defensive finish exits or modifications in possession within the impartial zone. These are ensuing within the opposition getting harmful odd man rushes that each one too usually find yourself with the puck behind Winnipeg’s internet.
At this level of the season, I’ve switched to keeping track of GM Kevin Cheveldayoff. Because the True North group isn’t offering any leisure on the ice in 2025-26, my consideration shall be targeted on ready to see if Chevy panics and makes an ill-advised transfer or two in what is going to doubtless be a useless try to save lots of the season. I see fellow Jets’ followers on PuckPedia suggesting trades to select up gamers like Nazim Kadri or Brayden Schenn and shake my head. Actually these forwards are higher than what Winnipeg can deploy proper now, however they’re additionally previous…one thing this membership doesn’t want extra of. On prime of that, you would need to empty out good items from the True Northers’ already weak prospect pool and/or draft picks to acquire them. If the world was going to finish quickly, that could be a very good plan….however because it in all probability isn’t, I’m not certain the membership ought to mortgage the long run on one more mid-season commerce that most probably received’t transfer the needle sufficient to make them true Cup contenders.
The opposite fashionable name from Jets’ followers on-line I’ve seen is for Winnipeg to go along with a youth motion, convey up gamers like Brad Lambert, Nikita Chibrikov, Parker Ford, & Brayden Yager to insert some pace & enthusiasm into the road up. The primary argument appears to be that it will possibly’t make the Jets play worse than they already are….and that’s onerous to argue with. But, I nonetheless really feel a variety of trepidation about going that route for some motive. Presumably I’m involved that the prospects’ AHL manufacturing isn’t suggesting that any of those forwards are able to make the large step as much as the NHL. Flirting with a degree per recreation tempo within the minors is form of the go-to signal {that a} younger man is prepared for the large leagues, which none of those gamers are at present hitting. Possibly I’m frightened about expectations as properly, as a result of in my eyes all of the excessive finish Jets’ prospects are extra complimentary items and may not convey the impression individuals will anticipate. There is no such thing as a doubt that Lambo & Chibby have larger finish offensive talents, which may assist Winnipeg discover some extra targets. Can they play as properly defensively as among the veterans at present within the NHL line up? Properly, that’s up for debate, however for the reason that Jets aren’t enjoying protection that properly proper now…it shouldn’t be a roadblock to promotion. Yager is a bit totally different, since from what I’ve seen he’s a really accountable 2 method participant. But I nonetheless have considerations about what his offensive impression shall be on the NHL degree and assume he might find yourself being a very good third line heart as a substitute of the a lot coveted 2nd line position us followers hope he can fill. Currently the child has proven a bit extra offense with the Moose, so there may be nonetheless a shot that a part of the sport will develop as he turns into extra comfy within the system he needed to be taught in his rookie season.
I began this part off with this quote “In truth, I’m form of puzzled at this level.“. Seems to be like that wasn’t actually right. 🙂 Since I’ve voiced my ideas/considerations on what the Winnipeg Jets ought to do transferring ahead….lets hear your ideas within the Remark part.
