After watching Fabian Wagner rating his seventh aim in 7 video games because the Manitoba Moose squeaked out an OT win on Wednesday evening, I figured I might take the chance to get began on the preview somewhat bit early. The Moose’s huge league affiliate didn’t play very effectively of their final outing, a demoralizing 6-2 loss by the hands of the Vancouver Canucks. So having a high NHL membership just like the Edmonton Oilers subsequent up on the Winnipeg Jets’ schedule may find yourself being each a nasty or good factor.
On the unfavourable facet for Winnipeg, the northern Albertans are coming off a rip-roaring 7-1 destruction of the Utah Hockey Membership and the Edmonton Oilers (40-24-4) have run off three straight victories by holding their opponents to just one aim. Trying on the constructive facet, the True Northers should not have any difficulties getting motivated to play the staff with the ninth finest file within the NHL. Because the saying goes, for those who fall off the horse, get proper again up there.
The Winnipeg Jets (47-18-4) nonetheless have a 9 level lead on the Dallas Stars for the Central/Western Convention titles, however the “magic quantity” stays at 10.5 so our squad ought to have each motivation to get again within the win column. The Jets are additionally very a lot in play for the Presidents’ Trophy, although the staff’s most up-to-date loss has given the Washington Capitals a sport in hand to potential break the tie the franchises are at the moment in.
Talking of wanting to show issues round, I’m not positive that I’ve seen Connor Hellebuyck play a lot worse than he did in opposition to the Canucks and he can be seeking to recapture his Vezina kind in opposition to Connor McDavid & firm. Possibly that is simply greedy for straws, however someway I really feel having to fill in for Eric Comrie when Hellebuyck was anticipating the stress-free duties of a backup threw him off his routine. Whereas I’ve no clue what the lineup will seem like when the puck drops at 8 pm Central, however I think that Bucky will get the nod from coach Scott Arniel. Undoubtedly wouldn’t harm to place Edmonton-born Comrie in between the pipes, however with the subsequent sport not till Sunday I someway assume that’s unlikely.
The goaltending resolution can be removed from the one roster modifications that Arniel can be contemplating. The third pairing duo of Colin Miller & Haydn Fleury have had back-to-back tough video games, fellow defenseman Dylan DeMelo was a trainwreck versus Vancouver and took a pair tough knocks, and the coach even broke up the trio of Adam Lowry, Nino Niederreiter, & Mason Appleton within the final outing.
So who is aware of what Winnipeg will seem like on Thursday night? It’s definitely method too early for PuckPedia to be up to date, so listed here are the traces from the franchise’s final video games:
Whereas the Edmonton Oilers will at all times be McDavid’s staff, it’s their different famous person Leon Draisaitl that’s doing superb issues this season (49 targets, 101 pts, good for 2nd in NHL). Different excessive scoring forwards embrace Connor McDavid (89 pts), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (45 pts), & Zach Hyman (40 pts). The Oil even have a couple of defensemen that get their names on the scoresheet pretty usually, in Evan Bouchard (54 pts), Mattias Ekholm (30 pts), & Darnell Nurse (24 pts).
The Winnipeg Jets have loads of gamers placing up factors in 2024-25 too, with Kyle Connor (85 pts) & Mark Scheifele (75 pts) main the best way. The subsequent tier continues to be fairly spectacular with Gabriel Vilardi (61 pts), Nikolaj Ehlers (58 pts), & Josh Morrissey (52 pts). After that, our closing group contains Cole Perfetti (42 pts), Neal Pionk (37 pts), Vladislav Namestnikov (34 pts), Nino Niederreiter (30 pts), & Adam Lowry (29 pts).
Sufficient with the gamers…lets transfer on to have a look at how the Jets & Oilers’ season stats evaluate in our Match Up graphic and ESPN’s assessment of the potential goalies.
Once I rapidly glanced on the above data, it appeared that the play of the goaltenders will be the solely vital distinction between Edmonton & Winnipeg this season. The stats say each groups have nice offenses & powerplays, with subpar penalty killing models.
The 2 golf equipment have solely met as soon as this season….and that was on opening day (Oct ninth) when the Jets breezed to a 6-0 victory on the Rogers’ Place in Edmonton. After Thursday’s match in Alberta, they’ll conflict within the Peg on April thirteenth, which can be Winnipeg’s second final sport of the common season.
Hopefully the True Northers will take a look at Thursday evening’s contest versus the Oilers as a “assertion sport“. The 2024-25 Winnipeg Jets have executed very effectively in video games the place they actually “wanted” a win, so it will be nice to see them rise to the event as soon as once more.
Something they may do to spice up the arrogance of a fragile fanbase can be appreciated….as there may be nonetheless plenty of “purse clutching” amongst us each time the Jets lay an egg. As at all times, would love to listen to your ideas, worries, and/or predictions for the match.
Go Winnipeg!!!!!
