The Winnipeg Jets have been in a position to finish their season-long 4 sport profitable streak of their final sport, nevertheless it took some time beyond regulation luck in opposition to the Buffalo Sabres to get it finished. Now the True Northers have headed to Illinois for one final street sport in opposition to the Chicago Blackhawks earlier than they begin a 4 sport house stand on the Canada Life Centre.
The Jets (19-8-0) are presently sitting in a tie for third in the complete Nationwide Hockey League, whereas the Hawks (8-16-2) sit on the reverse finish of the spectrum (final place). Once you check out the targets for and in opposition to, the huge hole stays with Winnipeg scoring 34 extra targets and permitting 13 much less targets in opposition to than Chicago. Regardless of the stats being lop-sided, the 2 Central Division rivals have equivalent 1-4 data of their previous 5 contests, so neither squad is taking part in very properly proper now.
The Jets have been okay on the street (10-6-0), whereas the Blackhawks have picked up half of their wins on house ice (4-7-0). The 2 franchises had met as soon as already this season, with Winnipeg selecting up a 2-1 OT victory once they clashed within the Jets’ first house sport of the marketing campaign.
Lets check out how PuckPedia is predicting the groups to line up their gamers this afternoon:
The Winnipeg Jets are nonetheless lacking some key gamers within the injured Nikolaj Ehlers & Dylan Samberg, so there will likely be alternatives for different gamers to step up of their absence. Prime scorers like Kyle Connor (30 pts), Mark Scheifele (29), and Josh Morrissey (25) will probably must play a key position in the present day, however the Jets do get a good quantity of depth scoring (11 skaters with double digit pts).
Clearly Connor Hellebuyck (league main 15.6 Targets Saved Above Anticipated) is a giant a part of his group’s success, however everybody appears to be suggesting that backup Eric Comrie (-1.5 GSAE) will get into motion this afternoon.
The Chicago Blackhawks are additionally coping with accidents, as they’ve key defenseman Seth Jones on the shelf and former Jet Laurent Brossoit has but to make his season debut attributable to ongoing well being points. Whereas the sophomore droop has gotten to younger phenom Connor Bedard, the 19 yr outdated heart continues to be main the Hawks with 19 factors. Chicago must be pleased with the manufacturing they’ve gotten from Ryan Donato (10 targets & 15 pts), however the GM needed to be hoping for extra from newcomers Teuvo Teravainen (12) and Tyler Bertuzzi (10).
Regardless of the lack of companies from Brossoit, the Blackhawk tenders have performed properly this season (between .905 & .927 save %), as proven by ESPN’s Goaltender Comparability beneath. I’ve additionally included the breakdown of the numbers for every squad this season to see how they appear head-to-head.
If you wish to try the opposition’s perspective, try the hyperlink beneath to Second Metropolis Hockey’s sport preview article:
Alright, now that everybody has had an opportunity to digest all the data above….how do you see tonight’s sport taking part in out? Will the Winnipeg Jets fall for a “entice sport” regardless of their latest lack of success or will they present us that the numbers are proper and these franchises aren’t even shut in expertise?
Anticipate the Hawks to attempt to bodily pound the Jets’ defenders on the forecheck….and the easiest way to make that tough is for Winnipeg to spend the vast majority of the time within the offensive zone. If they’ll’t handle that, then it will likely be vital for our squad to capitalize on any errors Chicago makes. Getting an early two purpose lead can actually kill the opponent’s want to place in a full effort.
Okay, I higher get this up quickly as there’s lower than 3 hours earlier than the puck drops at 3 pm Central. Must also make the most of a stunning day within the Peg by taking my cat Lambo for a stroll (+3 in December….the Jets must be forwarding a hyperlink to each participant within the NHL to strive & struggle the chilly climate narrative. lol).
Go Winnipeg!!!
