The Winnipeg Jets ended their lengthy house stand in a disappointing method on Saturday once they dropped the competition to the visiting Calgary Flames. Regardless of controlling the puck for lengthy stretches and getting ample alternatives to attain targets, the Jets had been solely in a position to beat Dustin Wolf as soon as in one more instance of the unusual “Comrie Impact“. After starting the season by supporting the backup with 17 targets in his first 3 begins, Winnipeg’s skaters have solely scored a complete of 12 in Eric Comrie’s final 8 begins. Some individuals questioned whether or not the tender ought to have stopped one of many two pucks that received by him and whereas that is perhaps the case, neither aim was a nasty one (1st was deflected by a Jets’ defenseman and the 2nd got here after a cross-seam go on the PP). Comrie did find yourself with a .905 save proportion within the recreation, conserving him within the NHL’s high 30 for goalies with not less than 7 appearances, so he clearly isn’t the issue. For no matter purpose…..Winnipeg both fails to indicate up or simply can’t beat the opposing goalie every time Connor Hellebuyck takes the night time off. That isn’t an amazing pattern to see in case you are a kind of followers who suppose Bucky must play much less.
Talking of Hellebuyck, if you wish to learn an fascinating article on how the goalie & his teammates work together throughout practices, try TSN’s article beneath:
Transferring on to the Winnipeg Jets’ (31-13-3) upcoming Monday night time match in opposition to the Utah Hockey Membership (19-19-7), which will probably be aired on TSN3 at 8:30 pm Central. The True Northers have a bunch of query marks going into the highway recreation, with the likelihood that forwards Vladislav Namestnikov & Mason Appleton will probably be coming back from accidents. Coach Scott Arniel additionally has loads of defensive depth to select from, with Ville Heinola & Haydn Fleury raring to get again on the ice. The pre-game skate will seemingly present some clues, however that received’t occur till 12:30 pm Central. I’ll present an replace within the Remark part after I know extra.
The Utah HC has had a nightmare season on the subject of accidents, with key defensemen like John Marino & Sean Durzi lacking vital time. Happily for the NHL’s latest franchise, Marino is again within the lineup however the restoration room continues to be crowded with vital gamers like Mikhail Sergachev & Dylan Guenther anticipated to overlook the sport versus the Jets. Right here is how PuckPedia is at present projecting the coaches to line up their gamers tonight:
I’m very to see what Winnipeg’s teaching workers does if Vladdy & Apples are able to return. The newly shaped 2nd line consisting of Nikolaj Ehlers & Alex Iafallo on the the wing of Adam Lowry has impressed my eye take a look at of their quick time collectively (43.3 minutes) and the superior stats agree with that:
71.8% anticipated targets, 66.7% of precise targets, 64% of shot makes an attempt, & 70.4% of unblocked shot makes an attempt
Once you add that the third line of Cole Perfetti, Rasmus Kupari, & Nino Niederreiter have additionally finished effectively (57.1% of anticipated targets & 100% of precise targets in 51.2 minutes), you actually should surprise if Arniel & firm will restrict any roster adjustments to the 4th line in the meanwhile.
The Jets’ offensive stars so far embody Kyle Connor (60 pts), Mark Scheifele (53), Gabriel Vilardi (41), Josh Morrissey (40), & Nikolaj Ehlers (38). It seems that Utah will probably be with out two of their high 5 scorers (Guenther/Sergachev) for tonight’s conflict, so they’ll rely extra on Clayton Keller (48 pts), Logan Cooley (41), and Nick Schmaltz (35).
Okay, transferring on to a take a look at how the 2 franchise’s stats so far examine head-to-head and ESPN’s assessment of the potential starters in internet:
Monday’s match up within the Mormon State will pit the NHL’s 2nd greatest squad (WPG) and the twenty fifth (UTH), however it’s the house workforce that’s coming in on a 1 recreation profitable streak. Utah picked up a victory over the St. Louis Blues of their most up-to-date contest, one thing that hasn’t occurred all that usually recently (3-8-2 in previous 13 gms). Whereas Winnipeg didn’t dominate their lengthy homestand, the franchise has a 8-3-2 report of their final 13 matches in order that they haven’t hit their typical “winter skid” but.
Whereas Comrie may need a tough time believing this, the Jets are nonetheless main the league in aim scoring with 165 purple lights on the season….an enormous 38 greater than Utah has managed (tied for twenty sixth). Winnipeg stays sturdy defensively as effectively with the 2nd least targets in opposition to (113), whereas the Hockey Membership sits with the 14th least (137).
The Winnipeg Jets shut out the Utah HC 3-0 on the Canada Life Centre in early November, so this contest will characterize their second assembly of the season. Whereas over 2 months have handed because the golf equipment final clashed, they received’t have to attend very lengthy to complete the season sequence with their third match occurring this Friday (Jan twenty fourth).
Properly, that’s all I can give you and my growling abdomen is not-so-subtly advising me it’s time to make some lunch. Lets hear your ideas on how Arniel ought to line up his troops tonight? Targets Kevin Cheveldayoff ought to bear in mind for the approaching commerce deadline? Predictions on the end result of tonight’s recreation? Favorite recreation time snack meals or beverage? No matter it’s…let me hear it within the Feedback part. Have an amazing day!
Go Winnipeg!!!!
