Oops! We accidentally wrote two previews. This, the second one is your GDT for the day.
Can the Jets win three games in a row? Tonight the Jets face the New Jersey Devils and will try to accomplish just that. This marks the Jets’ second game of their four game road trip.
The Jets are coming off a 4-3 win against the Islanders, in which Bryan Little and Andrew Ladd lead the charge for the Jets. Little produced 3 assists while Ladd potted 2 goals and nearly recorded a hat trick on an empty net.
Meanwhile, the Devils are heading into tonight’s contest trying to shake off an embarrassing loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, losing 8-3, after blowing a 3-1 lead. The Devils must find a way to prevent pucks getting through goaltender Cory Schneider and improve their penalty kill, which is currently a league worst, 66.7%.
Puck drop is at 6 PM CT. The game can be seen on TSN3, or you can listen to all the action on TSN1290.
Some Thoughts
Winnipeg Jets
1) Postma must continue to deliver: With the absence of Zach Bogosian and the defensive core struggling, the Jets were in need of a player to emerge with a big game. Last game, Paul Postma did exactly that. Postma logged 19:23 of ice time and helped fill the void Bogosian left with a strong two way game. Postma operated the point adequately on the power play, with solid puck moving and positioning. Postma even scored his first goal of the season on the power play. Tonight, Postma will need to log some solid minutes once again and showcase his skill in the process.
2) Perreault-Scheifele-Wheeler need to score: Bryan Little and Andrew Ladd stole the show against the Islanders while Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele were relatively quiet. Scheifele has created some quality scoring chances this season, but has had trouble finding the back of the net. He has been held to 1 goal in 9 games. Wheeler started out the year flying and has been a focal point to the Jets’ season thus far. However, Wheeler has gone rather quiet and made a few costly defensive mistakes. Mathieu Perreault has impressed fans since his move from centre to wing, but again he is without a goal. This trio will need to help bring a spark to the team’s offense.
3) Be special: Tonight,the Jets are facing the league’s worst penalty kill and they must use that to their advantage. Despite the Jets’ struggles on the power play, ( 25th in the league) the Jets capitalized on their chances last game and scored 2 goals on the power play. Tonight will be a battle of two teams with struggling special teams and the Jets must come out with the upper hand at the end of the night to secure a win.
New Jersey Devils
1) Stopping goals is important: The Devils suffered an ugly collapse against the Penguins. Cory Schneider is not the only one to blame, considering the team’s defense as a whole completely disengaged themselves from the game. The Devils penalty kill hurt them as they allowed the Penguins to go 3/7 on the power play. Their power play struggles also continued as they allowed a shorthanded goal.
2) Hemming: The Jets have showcased struggles getting the puck out of the defensive zone. Completing a simple outlet pass, and completing an effective breakout continue to elude certain Jets. If the Devils will have moments of sustained pressure. Capitalizing on these moments will be key.
3) Zajac back: Travis Zajac struggled mightily last game. The Winnipeg native owned up to his early struggles after the team’s loss to the penguins: “I’m supposed to be a leader. I’ve got to get my head out of my (butt).” Zajac received a bench minor for too many men last night. The penguins capitalized on the ensuing power play. “That’s my fault,” Zajac said, “I’ve got to realize that whoever is coming off and I have to make sure he gets all the way to the bench. I jumped a little early. That’s on me. I’ve just got to make sure. Just a bad read.” Zajacs night took an even steeper downhill turn as he provided a costly turnover that allowed Craig Adams to give the Penguins a 4-3 lead.
Player to Boo Mercilessly
Adam Henrique – He has 8 points in 9 games, and has arguably been the clubs best player thus far.
Prediction
Devils, 4
Jets, 2.
H/T to Chris Wassel for the quotes
