Game #17 Preview and GDT: Los Angeles Kings at Winnipeg Jets

The Winnipeg Jets have scratched and clawed their way to a 7-7-2 record, and will look to improve above .500 against a Los Angeles Kings side which is just 2-6-0 on the road.

Even without lighting the lamp in his last two tilts, Patrik Laine is up to an incredible 11 goals in 16 games, not to mention his point-per-game pace. While Laine hasn't found twine the last two games, Blake Wheeler has once in each, ending his 11 game goalless drought. The Winnipeg Jets captain is now up to five goals and 13 points in 16 games, all while averaging 20:51 TOI. And yes, we still love Nikolaj Ehlers, even if overtime against Colorado wasn't exactly his finest moment:

Winnipeg remains hobbled upfront, with Mathieu Perreault now being placed on IR and Quinton Howden recalled from the Manitoba Moose. The versatile forward has been strong in the AHL, a solid depth signing by Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff. If he draws into the lineup and plays well, Howden will constitute yet another body which could replace some others on the roster (**cough Burmistrov Stafford cough**). Meanwhile, Jacob Trouba's return to the fold may have come just in time:

#NHLJets announce Tyler Myers won’t return to tonight’s game because of a lower-body injury

— Ken Wiebe (@WiebeSunSports) November 12, 2016

The Los Angeles Kings are likely to continue their unexpected dependence on Peter Budaj, after Jeff Zatkoff fell to injury once more and the team recalled Jack Campbell on an emergency basis. The 34-year-old is up to seven wins, five losses and a .912 Sv%, numbers which aren't stellar, but might be just good enough behind a possession dominant Kings squad. LA has managed to avoid collapse without Jonathan Quick. This potential absence, however, may be more than even the Kings can handle:

Anze Kopitar: Is considered day-to-day with an upper-body injury. https://t.co/VMyqNEY6nI #nhl #LAKings

— Left Wing Lock (@Left_Wing_Lock) November 12, 2016