The Winnipeg Jets’ losing streak has now been extended to 10 games and the task of ending that slide won’t be made easy by Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers visiting our city. Coming into the action, the Oilers are tied for the 12th best record in the NHL, as well as being tied for the 5th most goals scored (145) and 5th most goals against (145). The True Northers on the other hand have the 7th least goals scored (118) and are tied for the 14th least goals against (130).
Edmonton has gone 6-4-0 in their last 10 outings, which includes a 3-1 victory over Winnipeg on December 29th. The Oilers are dealing with a few injuries, with newly acquired goaltender Tristan Jarry, veteran forward Adam Henrique, and defenseman Jake Walman on Injured Reserve. The Jets sole injury is to defender Haydn Fleury, who sustained a broken nose, a back injury, & a possible concussion when he slid heavily into the boards against the Golden Knights.
Since they place Fleury on IR, that freed up a roster spot on the Jets and they opted to call up 22 yr old Danny Zhilkin. After a couple partial seasons with Manitoba where the Russian-born forward struggled to make an impact offensively, Zhilkin has upped his game this year playing on the low scoring Moose as a top six center. While 14 pts in 30 games doesn’t scream a fantastic campaign, it is only 6 pts back of team leader David Gustafsson’s 20. The centerman does possess NHL quality speed and can play a responsible 2-way style of hockey, so it will be interesting to see how he does in his NHL debut centering the Jets’ 4th line with Cole Koepke & Tanner Pearson on the wings.
Tonight’s game at the Canada Life Centre will kick off at 7 pm Central and here is how the two clubs’ year-to-date stats compare, via ESPN‘s team & goaltender comparison numbers:
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The above numbers pretty much speak for themselves….but that Edmonton 33.9% powerplay conversion rate should hopefully remind Winnipeg to stay out of the box tonight. The Jets should get some scoring chances tonight versus one of the league’s worse defensive clubs, but the Oilers have the firepower to create a bunch of offense against the home team….so the goalies should likely prepare to face a good amount of rubber this evening.
WINNIPEG JETS LINE UP
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EDMONTON OILERS LINE UP
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A couple veterans scratched by coach Scott Arniel for tonight’s contest, with Vladislav Namestnikov & Gustav Nyquist expected to be spectating from the press box tonight. Not sure there is enough room up there for all the players deserving of a scratch, but I will be glad to see Vladdy up there based on his recent performances.
The Manitoba Moose will also be in action tonight, as they will try to fend off the AHL’s Central Divisions 4th place team when they visit the Milwaukee Admirals. The loss of Zhilkin will force them to change up their top six and it will be interesting to see if Brayden Yager or Brad Lambert will take his spot higher up in the lineup. Some other news for the minor league affiliate, as they have sent prospect Jacob Julien down to the ECHL’s Norfolk Admirals for his first taste of professional hockey. The young forward sustained an injury in pre-season and after missing half the season, he is about to take his first steps towards what he hopes will eventually become a bottom six role in the NHL.
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):
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BOJA’S Post-Game Thoughts:
Still going to bed way earlier than normal after being sick on the weekend…so can’t make any promises on when I will update the article with the post game information. How the Winnipeg Jets play will also impact things, as if they can manage to make things interesting until the final horn it will be much easier to stay awake. Have a good day everyone!!