Tuesday night’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers proved to be kind of a test for the Winnipeg Jets. Philly scored first early in the first period, but the Jets made a game of it and came back to score 3 goals, leading to a 3-2 win. Both teams had a lot in common going into that matchup…both had higher expectations than what the results were showing, as both clubs are outside of their respective playoff scenarios.
Today’s opponents are the Los Angeles Kings, who, you could say, are the Flyers’ pacific doppelgangers, as they too are on the other side of the playoff glass. Coming off a shut out loss against the Oilers a few nights ago, the Kings are 8 points out with 10 games to go. In relation to this, the Jets are 10 points out with 9 games to go. Both teams may be out of it, but at least they can make it interesting.
Paul Friesen of the Winnipeg Sun has a great article which looks at the state of the Winnipeg Jets in respect to their architect.
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
Who: Winnipeg Jets (33-33-7 for 73 pts) vs Los Angeles Kings (34-31-7 for 75 pts)
When: 9:30 pm CST
How: TSN3, TSN 1290, FS-W, KABC 790
Projected Lineups:
Winnipeg Jets:
Mathieu Perreault – Mark Scheifele – Blake Wheeler
Nikolaj Ehlers – Bryan Little- Patrik Laine
Andrew Copp – Adam Lowry – Joel Armia
Brandon Tanev – Nic Petan – Chris Thorburn
Julian Melchiori- Dustin Byfuglien
Brian Strait – Josh Morrissey
Mark Stuart* – Nelson Nogier
Connor Hellebuyck
Micheal Hutchinson
*Brandon Tanev has been recalled
*Enstrom (UBI), Myers (LBI), Pavelec (LBI), Postma (LBI), Matthias (UBI), Chariot (UBI), Dano (UBI/LBI).
Los Angeles Kings:
Trevor Lewis – Anze Kopitar – Dustin Brown
Tanner Pearson – Jeff Carter – Jarome Iginla
Kyle Clifford – Adrian Kempe – Tyler Toffoli
Marion Gaborik – Nic Dowd – Jordan Nolan
Derek Forbort – Drew Doughty
Jake Muzzin – Paul Ladue
Brayden McNabb – Alec Martinez
Jonathan Quick
Ben Bishop
Keys to the game:
Winnipeg Jets: As I stated prior to the game the other night, once on the gas, stay on the gas. If you have the lead the finish line doesn’t get any closer faster by coasting.
Los Angeles Kings: My key to the game for the Flyers prior to their last game with the Jets was “with the playoffs a slim hope, now is the time to let it all hang out.” Remains true for the Kings too.
3 Questions:
- Has Hellebuyck finally solidified the #1 goaltender position? Yep, kinda by default. But Micheal Hutchinson came in and guarded the net against the Flyers very well.
- Can the Winnipeg Jets manage to stay out of the penalty box? Ah, to hell with it. No, they can’t.
- What more can the Jets do? Little more than play hockey and pad the personal points.
Players to watch:
Winnipeg Jets: Nogier. 1st game butterflies should be gone.
Los Angeles Kings: Gaborik. What is he doing on the 4th line?
Participants worthy of your rejection and unclean wordplay: Iggy
Prediction: Jets 3-2
