After the Winnipeg Jets have been blown out in their last 2 matches, they will get no rest in a back-to-back situation. The reality of missing the playoffs has fully sunk in for the players….and that fact is noticeable in their on ice efforts. At least we get to watch some of the young kids get a shot in the big league for a few games before the off-season kicks off for our franchise.
Busy day today…..so the preview is going to be brief today.
WPG Jets @ UTH Mammoth
Start Time: 8:00 pm Central – Delta Center
Winnipeg (35-33-12) is in 25th place in the NHL with 82 points on the season, scoring 227 Goals For (26th) and allowing 249 Goals Against (tied for 14th). Mark Scheifele leads the Jets with 66 assists and 101 points. Kyle Connor is the goal scoring leader with 38 goals, while Gabriel Vilardi just had his first 30 goal campaign with a marker versus Vegas.
Utah (42-32-6) is tied for the 18th best record in the league with 90 points, scoring 260 Goals For (15th) and allowing 232 Goals Against (4th). Clayton Keller is the Mammoth leading assist getter with 59 and is leading in points with 85, while Dylan Guenther has the most goals with 40.
Here is how the two clubs’ year-to-date stats compare when you look at the head-to-head data, via ESPN‘s team & goaltender comparison numbers:
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No pre-game skate for Winnipeg today, so we won’t know the actual line up until much later. Though, I expect the only change will be Eric Comrie starting in goal.
Here are the current line up projections for both clubs via PuckPedia:
WINNIPEG JETS LINE UP
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UTAH MAMMOTH LINE UP
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Three former Winnipeg Jets are playoff bound with the Utah Mammoth and Nate Schmidt (21 pts in 80 gms), Brandon Tanev (3 pts in 53 gms), and Kevin Stenlund (18 pts in 78 gms).
Scoring should be difficult for the True Northers tonight as Utah is among the stingiest defenses in the NHL. With a loss by Winnipeg, the Florida Panthers will pass them in the standings, dropping the Jets to the 7th worst record in the league with only one game to play.
Is that how things will play out or will the players find their compete level before the regular season comes to an end.
Go Winnipeg Jets!!!!!
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POST-GAME INFO
Scoring Summary: (courtesy of ESPN)
FINAL SCORE:
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Game Stats: (courtesy of MoneyPuck)
Expected Goals (all):
Expected Goals (5on5):