After a profitable however quick street journey, the Winnipeg Jets (11-1-0) have returned to the Canada Life Centre to tackle the Utah Hockey Membership (5-4-3) for the primary time on Tuesday night. The True North franchise is coming in on a 3 sport successful streak, whereas the previous Arizona Coyotes are 1-2-2 of their previous 5 contests.
At this level within the season, each Winnipeg (1st in NHL) and Utah (tied for thirteenth within the NHL) are sitting in a playoff place. Regardless of their early successes, there are a whole lot of variations within the groups’ performances, such because the Jets scoring 22 extra targets than the NHL’s latest franchise and permitting 12 much less targets in opposition to via the opening 12 matches. Thus far, the Winnipeg Jets have a 5-1-0 report when enjoying of their dwelling enviornment, whereas Utah has gone 2-2-2 on the street.
The Jets’ offense continues to impress, with 5 skaters averaging greater than a degree per sport (Kyle Connor – 19 pts, Nikolaj Ehlers – 17, Mark Scheifele – 16, Josh Morrissey – 15, & Neal Pionk – 13). The scoring manufacturing has been properly unfold out although, as 6 extra skaters have between 9 & 11 factors, so the Peggers have benefited from a balanced assault early within the yr. Based on MoneyPuck, our Jets have the thirteenth greatest anticipated objective charge (51.32%) at 5 on 5 and the 4th greatest charge in all conditions (55.18%).
Must also add my official congratulations to Ehlers, who grew to become the best scoring Danish-born participant in NHL historical past together with his 2 level evening versus the Tampa Bay Lightning. Approach to go, Fly!!
Whereas it’s too early for the pre-game skate to substantiate any lineup, we are going to assume that head coach Scott Arniel gained’t make any alterations to PuckPedia’s projected roster:
The Utah Hockey Membership began the season off with 3 straight victories, however since then the wins have been a lot tougher to come back by. Issues haven’t been helped a lot by quite a few accidents to their defensemen and they’re nonetheless coping with John Marino & Sean Durzi being on the shelf.
In addition to being an off-shoot of the unique Winnipeg Jets, there are a pair different connections to our metropolis’s hockey historical past. Former participant Kevin Stenlund will make his return to the Peg for tonight’s contest, however Utah additionally has the son of a former Jets 1.0 participant on their crew. Andrew McBain was drafted eighth general in 1983 and now his son Jack McBain will probably be suiting up in opposition to his dad’s former squad.
Veteran ahead Nick Schmaltz (11 pts) has been joined by children Clayton Keller (12), Logan Cooley (10), & Dylan Guenther (10) to supply Utah’s early season offense.
Right here is how PuckPedia predicts Utah will line up their gamers tonight:
Now that we’ve seen the lineups, lets take a peek at how the groups evaluate head-to-head and the way the goalies have executed thus far in 2024-25 (by way of ESPN):
Primarily based on ESPN’s goalie comparability, it appears our Jets ought to have a bonus within the crease however you by no means understand how a sport will play out. You may additionally have picked up that Utah solely sends a median of 26 photographs on opposing goalies every sport and that’s as a result of coach Andre Tourigny insists that his gamers get into a great scoring place earlier than making an attempt to beat a goalie. Which means Winnipeg might want to do a great job of maintaining the stress on puck carriers to not give them the area to discover a cross to a teammate in a excessive hazard place.
Happily for the Jets, a great effort ought to afford them the prospect to place all types of stress on Utah’s short-handed protection and under common goaltending. Nicely, that’s all I’ve time for immediately…benefit from the day and let me hear your predictions, worries, ideas, and so forth about tonight’s conflict within the remark part.
Go Winnipeg!!
