The 2 Nationwide Hockey League franchises that can face off tonight on the Canada Life Centre have been heading in reverse instructions recently. The visiting Boston Bruins (18-13-0) have excelled over their previous 5 video games, strolling away with a 4-1-0 file as they’ve out-scored the opposition 21 to 12. The Winnipeg Jets (14-14-1) however, have a 1-3-1 file over the identical span, whereas being out-paced 19-12 within the objective division.
The True Northers have reached new depths as they sit in a tie for the fifth worst file within the NHL, whereas the Bean Towners are in a three-way tie for the tenth finest. Most likely fairly just a few pundits had issues predicted in a different way for the defending Presidents’ Trophy winners and a membership that completed in a tie for the 4th worst file within the league. The jinx of being the most effective common season staff within the NHL seems to be actual, as our Jets must make fairly the transformation within the ultimate 65% of the season in the event that they hope to keep away from the be part of the listing of groups that did not qualify for the playoffs after profitable that piece of {hardware}.
On the brilliant aspect for Winnipeg’s future win-loss file, beginning goaltender Connor Hellebuyck seems to be making a really fast restoration from knee surgical procedure, as he has hit the ice the previous two days and a few media are even reporting that they anticipate Bucky to be again within the crease as early as subsequent week. There are extra points to resolve than goaltending for our membership, however his return may very probably flip some video games from defeats to victories.
Lets leap to a have a look at Winnipeg & Boston’s seasons by testing ESPN‘s staff & goaltender comparability numbers:
*****
The staff stats above don’t counsel an enormous distinction between the 2 franchises, with most numbers being shut aside from the Bruins’ lead in classes like penalty minutes, powerplay, & penalty killing. Jeremy Swayman has bounced again from an off 12 months and has offered the east coast franchise with high quality play within the internet. Jets’ tender Eric Comrie has performed very properly whereas filling in for the injured Bucky, but the stat line & win-loss file doesn’t present that a lot due to how the membership has performed in entrance of him.
Winnipeg didn’t do line rushes throughout their skate right now, so no actual perception as to what the roster will seem like….apart from the truth that Gustav Nyquist was deployed on the 2nd powerplay unit, which means that he can be again within the line up after lacking a pair contests. No clue who’s popping out, although Unlawful Curve is suggesting will probably be Tanner Pearson.
Conserving that in thoughts, lets transfer on & go take a look at PuckPedia‘s predicted line ups for tonight’s conflict, that are primarily based on the membership’s final video games:
WINNIPEG JETS LINE UP
*****
BOSTON BRUINS LINE UP
*****
Boston’s greatest stars this 12 months have been forwards David Pastrnak & Morgan Geekie, who’ve each exploded for 32 factors. Winnipeg can counter with their very own dynamic duo in Mark Scheifele & Kyle Connor, who’ve amassed 38 & 37 factors respectively.
In fact, the distinction comes whenever you have a look at the secondary scorers, with the Bruins have an enormous benefit over the Jets in that space. The B’s have 14 completely different skaters with at the very least 10 factors in 2025-26, in comparison with simply 7 for the True Northers. That explains why Boston is out-scoring Winnipeg 101 to 88 this 12 months.
The Jets’ most up-to-date recreation was pretty aggressive and truly considerably gratifying to observe. Can our staff put up 2 in a row?? We must watch for the 7 pm Central begin to discover out.
Go Winnipeg!!!!!
*****
POST-GAME INFO
Scoring Abstract: (courtesy of ESPN)
FINAL SCORE:
*****
Sport Stats: (courtesy of MoneyPuck)
Anticipated Targets (all):
Anticipated Targets (5on5):
*****
BOJA’S Put up-Sport Ideas:
As standard, will add scoring abstract & stats about an hour after the conclusion of the Boston-Winnipeg recreation. Relying on the extent of alertness at that time, I’ll add my ideas then or wait till Friday morning if I’m too drained.
