Will the Winnipeg Jets ever win another game? I guess we’ll have to keep tuning in to find out… but the team keeps finding ways to lose, even when the statistics suggest it shouldn’t be happening.
After blowing a big lead in their last outing against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the hockey team heads to the nation’s capital on Saturday night for a game against the Ottawa Senators. The True Northers are in the midst of an eight-game losing streak that has dropped the franchise to the bottom of the NHL standings (34 pts). The Sens just ended a three-game skid on Jan. 1 when they picked up a win over the Washington Capitals to improve to 43 points on the year and will look to claw their way back into a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Canadian Tire Center in Ottawa will host the 21st General Senators (19-15-5) competing against the 32nd overall Jets (15-20-4) when the promotion starts. Winnipeg will enter the game as the 26th highest scoring team in the NHL (113 goals for) and tied for 15th best defensive club (122 goals conceded). The local club has the 13th best attack (129 goals for) and the 19th best defense (127 goals conceded). With neither the Senators nor Jets currently in a playoff spot, the franchises will have to make up ground in the second half of the season if they hope to extend their seasons. The Sens may have the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference, but considering they’re only three points behind the eighth-place Buffalo Sabres, postseason dreams haven’t been dashed just yet. Of course, our Jets are in a more difficult position, with the lead now widening to 9 points behind the San Jose Sharks.
Tonight’s main match at 6pm features teams compiling the following stats, via ESPN‘S comparison numbers of team and goalkeeper:
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The team stats above tell me that Ottawa’s offensive capabilities should be a concern for Winnipeg’s coaching staff. With advantages over the Jets at even strength and on the power play, our club will have to play much better defensively than they did against Toronto.
The Senators have the 8th best power play in the NHL, while deploying the 31st most effective penalty kill. The Jets’ man advantage units started the year well, but have since fallen to 16th in the league. While the True Northers’ PKers have hovered around the middle of the NHL for most of the season and currently sit at 19th.
Pre-game skate today is at 10:30… so we’ll have to rely on how PuckPedia currently predicts which players will line up:
WINNIPEG JETS ALIGNING
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OTTAWA SENATORS ARE IN A LIST
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I think I might get sick, so I’m not going to bother waiting for the pre-game skate information to see what changes Winnipeg & Ottawa can make to the above lineups. Certainly, Connor Hellebuyck returns to the crease after a nightmare performance by Erik Comrie against the Leaves. Defender Colin Molenaar rarely gets a series of games with the starters, so he can come out as well Lucas Schenn and I don’t think so Nino Niederreiter will remain a healthy scratch for a long time. So I expect some changes when I wake up from a nap. I’m running out of steam… so time to see if a little sleep will improve how I feel.
Go Winnipeg Jets!!!!!
PS: The Manitoba Moose ultimately benefited from the Elias Salomonsson bobblehead contest as they skated to a 4-1 victory over the defending Calder Cup champion Abbotsford Canucks. The young Swedish defender got involved offensively with a primary assist Mason Shaws opening goal. The veteran just returned to the lineup after representing Canada at the Spengler Cup and impressed as his unit scored a pair of Moose goals (other by David Gustafson). Another memorable play from the match saw the struggle Colby Barlow float a perfect pass past a Canucks defender to make the jump Parker Ford on a breakaway that helped Manitoba take a 2-0 lead going into the first intermission. Goalkeeper Thomas Milic was also strong in the net as he turned aside 22 of the 23 shots he faced (0.957%).
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AFTER-GAME INFO
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:
I don’t know exactly when I will update the information after the game. I’m supposed to be out of town today for a family event… but if this feeling of being very tired and having no energy doesn’t go away, I might sleep the whole day away. I hope your weekend goes better than mine seems to be going. Go Jets!!
#Winnipeg #Jets #Ottawa #Senators