The Winnipeg Jets are tasked with preventing history, and going beyond .500 hockey, as they host a Columbus Blue Jackets squad able to tie the third-longest winning streak in the record books.
The Columbus Blue Jackets (24-5-4) have an opportunity at fourteen straight wins, and would take the Metropolitan Division lead in the process. With such a run, it's no wonder that Sergei Bobrovsky John Tortorella is a Jack Adams contender. Meanwhile, the Winnipeg Jets (17-17-3) are seeking a somewhat more modest third straight victory, after downing the Vancouver Canucks and Chicago Blackhawks.
Nikolaj Ehlers has a nice little stretch going on, with six points in his last four games, including four goals. He together with Blake Wheeler, who is riding a five game point streak, constitute Winnipeg's hot hands at the moment. And they should have their hands full with Columbus' starter, seeing how Bobrovsky is currently rocking a 22-5-2 record and .934 Sv%.
Michael Hutchinson gets the call for Winnipeg between the pipes, in what is apparently not the worst decision ever.
@WiebeSunSports 2-0 lifetime vs CBJ, 1.00 gaa .968 save % and 1 shutout. 29 save shutout in last game vs cbj. #dfs
— Mr.Pucks (@MrPucks77) December 29, 2016
Columbus forwards Alexander Wennberg and William Karlsson aren't household names, but that's more a product of youth and playing in Columbus. Together with Brandon Dubinsky, the trio comprise solid middle depth and have more than adequately filled the Ryan Johansen void. 23-year-old Lukas Sedlak has also been a pleasant surprise, centring one of the more interesting fourth lines in hockey between Scott Hartnell and Sam Gagner.
In Zach Werenski, hockey fans are seeing a star in the making. In his first full season as a pro, the eighth overall pick in 2015 is not only shouldering 21:30 ATOI, but excelling at the same time. The 19-year-old has posted 22 points in 33 games played, and will rightfully be in the Calder Trophy conversation.
When, Where & How
Thursday, Jan. 29, 7:00 p.m. CT, MTS Centre
TV: TSN3, FS-O
Radio: TSN 1290, 97.1 FM
Left Wing | Centre | Right Wing |
Nikolaj Ehlers | Mark Scheifele | Patrik Laine |
Mathieu Perreault | Bryan Little | Blake Wheeler |
Shawn Matthias | Adam Lowry | Joel Armia |
Marko Dano | Nic Petan | Drew Stafford |
Left Defence |
Right Defence |
Josh Morrissey | Dustin Byfuglien |
Toby Enstrom | Jacob Trouba |
Ben Chiarot | Paul Postma |
Goaltenders |
Michael Hutchinson |
Connor Hellebuyck |
Left Wing | Centre | Right Wing |
Brandon Saad | Alexander Wennberg | Nick Foligno |
Boone Jener | Brandon Dubinsky | Cam Atkinson |
Matt Calvert | William Karlsson | Josh Anderson |
Scott Hartnell | Lukas Sedlak | Sam Gagner |
Left Defence |
Right Defence |
Zach Werenski | Seth Jones |
Jack Johnson | David Savard |
Ryan Murray | Markus Nutivaara |
Goaltenders |
Sergei Bobrovsky |
Curtis McElhinney |