Effectively, the Winnipeg Jets have picked up wins in opposition to a few groups on 4 sport shedding streaks (Buffalo Sabres & Chicago Blackhawks), now we get to see how they do in opposition to a squad on a 3 sport skid. The Columbus Blue Jackets had been on a little bit of a sizzling streak, selecting up wins in 5 out of 6 contests earlier than the losses have piled up previously week.
Winnipeg’s victory over the lowly Hawks was removed from complete dominance, however on the subject of offense suppression you may’t get a lot better than limiting your opponents to 0.84 anticipated targets. Particularly the second half of the sport, it was the Jets who had the puck on their sticks extra typically and it felt inevitable that the Jets would lastly discover the go forward objective. Good that they may save Connor Hellebuyck from an atypical begin the place he allowed 2 lengthy photographs to elude him (-1.16 Objectives Saved Above Anticipated). One other constructive from Saturday’s match was that each one 4 ahead models owned the anticipated targets at even power, starting from 69.7% (Rasmus Kupari’s line) to 90.7% (Adam Lowry’s trio).
The Jets (20-8-0) are the one NHL franchise with 20 W’s at this level, but they discover themselves chasing the Minnesota Wild for first within the Central & league (tied w/ 40 pts, however MIN has 2 video games in hand). Winnipeg has been exhausting to beat on the Canada Life Centre with a 9-2-0 document, however the staff has dropped the second half of their solely back-to-back of the season (an uninspired 4-1 loss to NSH).
Now on a 2 sport profitable streak, the Jets have been led offensively by Kyle Connor (32 pts), Mark Scheifele (30), Josh Morrissey (25), Neal Pionk (22), and Gabriel Vilardi (20). In fact they’re nonetheless lacking key items like Nikolaj Ehlers (25 pts) and Dylan Samberg (high defenseman with a +12 score), however Winnipeg presently has 10 skaters on tempo for a plus 40 level season (vary of 43 to 93 pts).
The Blue Jackets (11-12-3) should be bored with Canadian franchises, as this street journey has seen them drop video games to Calgary, Edmonton, & Vancouver. Being away from house hasn’t been very productive for Columbus this season, with a 3-9-2 document away from Ohio. The Jackets have already performed 4 units of back-to-back video games this season and it has not gone properly for them…they’ve misplaced 7 out of 8 video games, solely selecting up a win over Pittsburgh to open up their third such set (by no means scored 3 targets within the 2nd sport this yr). So it’s fortunate for his or her followers that they’d a day of relaxation since their final loss.
Columbus’ offense has come from Zack Werenski (27 pts), Kirill Marchenko (25), former Jet Sean Monahan (22), & Cole Sillinger (18). The Jackets are also coping with a few accidents to Boone Jenner & Erik Gudbranson, however they’ve had fairly good depth scoring (13 gamers with a minimum of 9 pts).
Right here is how PuckPedia is predicting the coaches of Winnipeg & Columbus will line up their gamers tomorrow. Clearly, Eric Comrie shall be in between the pipes after Connor Hellebuyck picked up a win in opposition to the Hawks.
After we’re executed what skaters could also be enjoying on late Sunday afternoon (5 pm Central), the head-to-head comparability of the franchises’ performances recommend that goaltending and particular groups are the place the Winnipeg Jets ought to have a big benefit tomorrow.
Whereas Columbus has been good at placing pucks within the internet (89 targets for ninth in NHL), they’ve allowed much more (95 GA for 4th most). And it’s the Jets who’ve an enormous benefit on the powerplay (nearly double the conversion fee) and a 9% lead on the subject of penalty killing.
Lets try ESPN’s have a look at the masked males and how much stats Columbus & Winnipeg have been placing up this yr:
As I discussed above, the Jets have obtained a lot better play from their tenders this season, however the Blue Jackets will get the advantage of enjoying in opposition to Winnipeg’s backup. Whether or not that may be a good factor for them or not stays to be seen….since Padre has had the sensation Comrie is due for a top-notch efficiency.
Mini Moose Replace: Even targets in back-to-back video games by Chaz Lucius (5 pts in 5 gms) couldn’t assist the Manitoba Moose to a win this weekend, as they twice blew 3-0 leads in opposition to the Belleville Senators. The poor leads to the win-loss columns proceed for Winnipeg’s AHL affiliate.
Good to see our boys again on a little bit of a run….let me hear within the feedback whether or not the Jets’ good fortunes will proceed on Sunday night.
Go Winnipeg!!!
