Jets look to Assassinate The Kings

The NHL season has hit its halfway point and the Winnipeg Jets are in a playoff spot. But they wont be in a playoff spot for long if they continue to play like they have recently. As the Jets take on the Los Angeles Kings, they look to move past a recent dreadful performance in the desert against the Arizona Coyotes. Meanwhile on the other side of the ice, the Los Angeles Kings are neck and neck with the Jets in the Wild Card Standings. Both teams look to gain some ground in the Wild Card race.

Puck drop is slated for 9pm CST and you can catch all the action on Hockey Night In Canada on Sportsnet. You can also hear all the action on TSN 1290 radio.

Keys to the Game

Winnipeg Jets

Stay out of the box. Emotions can get the best of anyone. When the Jets faced the Arizona Coyotes Thursday night, emotions played a large part in the outcome of the game. After taking two costly penalties to start the game, the Jets found themselves down 2-0. The penalties did not stop there. The Jets took three more trips to the box over the course of the game and in the process they allowed 3 goals on the penalty kill. The penalties and overall lack of discipline was a big reason the Jets tumbled hard. “Our discipline is not where it needs to be,” said Jets forward Blake Wheeler. The Jets cant lose there cool in tonights contest, because if they do they could very well get a similar result to there last game.

Special Teams Needs A Boost: Being on the man advantage frequently last game didn't give the Jets much of an advantage. The Jets went 0-8 on the power play despite compiling two 5 on 3 opportunities for a total of 1:43. On the other side of the special teams department, the penalty kill had plenty of woes as well. The leagues 9th best penalty kill has been trending in the wrong direction as of late after allowing six power play goals in the teams last four games.

Los Angelas Kings

Gaining Ground: The reigning Stanley Cup Champions find themselves in the thick of the race for a playoff spot. While currently tied with the Jets with 47 points, with a win tonight the Kings would tie with the Sharks and the Canucks and become tied for second in the pacific division.

By The Numbers:

-19-13-9 record

– 14th most goals per game ( 2.78)

– 9th least amount of goals allowed per game ( 2.49)

– 11th best power play in the league (19.7%)

– 23rd ranked penalty kill ( 79.0%)

– 4th most shots per game ( 31.8)

– 9th most shots allowed per game ( 28.0)

– 10th best face off percentage ( 51.2%)

Players to Boo Mercilessly