The Winnipeg Jets locked up a playoff spot with an entertaining 3-2 time beyond regulation win in opposition to the Washington Capitals on Tuesday, changing into simply the second NHL franchise to guide their ticket to the post-season. And it appears that evidently Mom Nature may be a Jets’ fan….as a result of over the previous 12 hours she has blanketed the town of Winnipeg in drifts of snow to represent the approaching of the “White Out” to the Canada Life Centre. I’ll admit that isn’t precisely what you wish to see in late March…however I respect the assist for the True Northers, even when my again doesn’t like the additional shoveling.
After a pair days off that noticed newly acquired defensemen Luke Schenn get the possibility to go to his household in Nashville and star sniper Kyle Connor to welcome his first child into the world, the boys might be again in motion tonight when the New Jersey Devils go to Manitoba.
Whereas Winnipeg (49-19-4) might have locked up a playoff spot, they nonetheless have lots of work to do to safe the highest place within the Central Division, because the Dallas Stars proceed to pile up wins to maintain the magic quantity at 8. The Jets might be with out some key gamers, with Gabriel Vilardi & Neal Pionk on the sidelines with accidents, however they’re coming off one of many higher defensive performances of the season so I anticipate one other aggressive match this night.
New Jersey (38-28-7) opened up their street journey with a victory over the Chicago Blackhawks, however had been winless within the previous three sport homestand. The Devils should not with out accidents of their very own, with elite middle Jack Hughes, defenseman Dougie Hamilton, and ahead Cody Glass (6 pts in 8 gms with NJ since being picked up on the deadline) prone to miss the sport tonight.
Right here is how PuckPedia is predicting the teaching staffs will lineup the gamers when the puck drops at 7 pm Central:
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The New Jersey Devils go to will carry a return of a pair former Winnipeg Jets, with defensemen Brenden Dillon & Johnny Kovacevic coming again to the Peg. Whereas I all the time appreciated Dillon’s type of play, it’s the right-handed Kovacevic that I actually remorse our membership shedding to a waiver-claim. Watching his improvement with the Manitoba Moose, I all the time thought that Johnny would pan out as a NHLer and his seasons with the Montreal Canadiens & New Jersey have proved that evaluation appropriate.
High 5 Scorers:
The Jets – Kyle Connor 86 pts, Mark Scheifele 78 pts, Nikolaj Ehlers 61 pts, Gabriel Vilardi 61 pts, & Josh Morrissey 55 pts
The Devils – Jesper Bratt 84 pts, Jack Hughes 70 pts, Nico Hischier 58 pts, Timo Meier 48 pts, & Dougie Hamilton 40 pts
In order for you an enemy’s perspective of tonight’s conflict, take a look at SBNation’s article from All About The Jersey within the hyperlink beneath. Right here is an attention-grabbing quote from their Preview exhibiting how the Jets have carried out in opposition to the Devils over the previous seasons:
Alright, now that we checked out some participant statistics…lets transfer onto how Winnipeg & New Jersey match up primarily based on this yr’s numbers, in addition to ESPN’s have a look at the potential beginning goalies.
Unsure for those who occurred to note within the information above, however the Jets’ powerplay success fee has dropped beneath the 30% mark for the primary time in a really very long time. With Gabe on the sidelines, it is perhaps troublesome to get them working at high kind….however the Jets want to determine a option to make the man-advantage items a bit extra harmful earlier than the post-season rolls round.
Winnipeg knocked off New Jersey of their prior assembly, a 6-1 blowout in early March that noticed speedy Ehlers paved the way with a 3 level evening. So….lets hear within the Remark part the way you assume the golf equipment’ 2nd match of the season will go??
For myself, I’ve opted to provide Connor the BOJA Enhance for tonight’s contest within the hopes that it may fight any lack of sleep the brand new father could also be coping with.
Go Winnipeg!!!!!!!
