Time: 12:00 PM CST
Channel: TSN3, NBCSP
Radio: TSN1290
The Winnipeg Jets (41-17-9) will be looking for their fifth straight win when they visit the Philadelphia Flyers (34-23-11) on Saturday afternoon, while Patrik Laine will be looking to continue his streak of dominance.
The Jets are playing their fourth of six straight road games, and have won the previous three, plus a home game immediately before the trip began to create a four game winning streak. Their most recent effort was a 3-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils, as they ended Taylor Hall’s point streak, while Patrik Laine continued his recent hot streak.
Laine has eight goals in his last four games and 20 points in his last 10 games. Nobody has more goals than he does since he entered the league at the start of the 2016-17 season, and he currently sits one back of Alex Ovechkin for the league lead with 39 goals on the year.
He good.
The Flyers, on the other hand, are in the midst of a five game slump. Part fo that has to be attributed to the absence of their two main goalies, as both Brian Elliott and Michal Neuvirth are out with injuries, which lead to the Flyers acquiring Petr Mrazek in late February.
The Flyers had been doing quite well, riding the terrific play of Claude Giroux, Jakub Voracek and Sean Couturier. It’s been quite the turnaround for Giroux, who’s 80 points is 22 higher than the total he achieved in 82 games last season. Giroux and Voracek are tired with Blake Wheeler for the league lead in assists with 57 each.
The Flyers currently sit third in the Metropolitan Division, three points back of first place Pittsburgh. The Flyers and Jets previously met on November 16, when Winnipeg triumphed 3-2 in shootout.
Winnipeg Jets: 41-17-9
Stat Leaders:
Goals: Patrik Laine (39)
Assists: Blake Wheeler (57)
Points: Wheeler (75)
Goalie Stat Leaders:
Wins: Connor Hellebuyck (35)
Goals Against Average: Hellebuyck (2.39)
Save Percentage: Hellebuyck (.923)
Minutes: Hellebuyck (3,241)
Special Teams: PP 24.4% (2nd), PK 82.7% (8th)
Philadelphia Flyers: 34-23-11
Stat Leaders:
Goals: Sean Couturier (29)
Assists: Claude Giroux, Jakub Voracek (57)
Points: Giroux (80)
Goalie Stat Leaders:
Wins: Brian Elliott (21)
Goals Against Average: Michal Neuvirth (2.61)
Save Percentage: Neuvirth (.915)
Minutes: Elliott (2,403)
Special Teams: PP 20.2% (17th), PK 75.5% (29th)
PREDICTION: JETS 4 FLYERS 2
OPPONENT’S BLOG: BROAD STREET HOCKEY
