First things first…if you noticed the Play button that appeared in the main photo of this article, I’ve included a link to YouTubes recap of last night’s Manitoba Moose win with the article…check it out and you’ll see a nice dish of rookie Brayden Yager. I didn’t know it would show up there…but c’est la vie.
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The Winnipeg Jets are coming off a nightmare road trip to the West Coast, dropping four of five games while being outscored seventeen to ten by their opponents. Still, that’s nothing compared to the ugliness the Calgary Flames franchise exuded throughout the entire 2025-26 season… with just five wins through the first nineteen games and an NHL-worst forty goals despite playing the most games to date.
The flames (5-12-2) enter tonight’s game at the Scotiabank Saddledome on a one-game winning streak after knocking off the San Jose Sharks on Thursday, while we all know the Jets (10-7-0) blew multiple leads to the Seattle Kraken at the same time.
I’ve seen some True North fans panic because Winnipeg was tied for 15th at the start of the year, but a win tonight would move them into a tie for 7th. With parity in the league at an all-time high, it may not be until later in the season that people really know who is a likely playoff team and who isn’t. That could work in the Jets’ favor, as their President’s Trophy defense isn’t off to a great start yet. Whether that is due to the key players missing the start of the season or an omen that our hockey club is heading for a downward turn?
Well, those players are back on the ice now… so I guess it’s time for the Manitoba boys to show us what they’re really capable of. The Jets will look to sweep the Flames for the season after coming out on top against Calgary in late October (2-1 and 4-2).
According to Money puckWinnipeg ranks 11th in 5-on-5 actual goals% (51.56%), while Calgary ranks 26th (46.03%)…but that goes against what the expected goals% stats say, with the Flames having the 5th best numbers (54.59%) and the Jets way down at 30th (44.1%). That explains why when Connor Hellebuyck isn’t playing at the fantastic level he normally does…we end up seeing a loss like we did against the Kraken.
To continue our comparison of Winnipeg and Calgary, here’s how ESPN has the team and goaltender comparison numbers for tonight’s late night game (another 9 p.m. Central start):
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It sounds like neither Morgan Barron or Then cabbage will be available tonight for Winnipeg, but they are very close. I haven’t heard yet when the teams will do their pre-game skates, so for now we’ll just have to rely on it PuckPedias projections based on yesterday’s practices:
WINNIPEG JETS ALIGNING
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CALGARY FLAMES SET
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I’m not sure which coach Scott Arniel The plans will be to let his team play the way he wants… but if everyone on the team is going to make mistakes non-stop, then I see no reason not to play against rookies with higher upside, like Nikolai Chibrikov & Brad Lambert than the supposed “trusted veterans“Oh, just call Elias Salomonsson while they’re at it… because his play can’t be worse than what the Jets are currently receiving from the 3rd RD spot.
Go to Winnipeg!!!!!
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AFTER-GAME INFO
Will update the stats shortly after the Winnipeg vs. Calgary game ends tonight.
Score overview: (courtesy of ESPN)
FINAL SCORE:
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Game Statistics: (courtesy of MoneyPuck)
Expected goals (all):
Expected goals (5on5):
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BOJA’S thoughts after the game:
Will be added late Saturday night (Jets win) or early Sunday morning (WPG loss). So feel free to come back later to share your thoughts after the game.
#Winnipeg #Jets #Calgary #Flames