Time: 6:00 PM CDT
Channel: TSN3, NBCSWA, TVAS
Radio: TSN1290
The Winnipeg Jets (41-18-9) will look to capitalize on their chances against Washington (38-23-7) tonight.
The Jets play tonight in America’s capital…oh…Washington CAPITALS. It all makes sense now! That is so clever, hahaha…
Where was I? Right, Jets…in D.C. playing their fifth of six straight road games, and the first half of a back-to-back that sees them play in Nashville tomorrow night. Not an ideal situation, but that’s the way the cookie crumbled in this part of the schedule.
The Caps currently sit in second place in the Metropolitan Division, one point back of Pittsburgh but with two games in hand. Washington has just returned home from a California road trip, beating the Sharks but losing to the Ducks and Kings in that trek. Washington is 5-5-0 in their last 10.
It will be a battle of hopefuls for the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy tonight, as six-time winner Alex Ovechkin takes on the NHL 1st Star of the Week: Patrik Laine.
Laine has goals in 10 of his last 11 games, with 15 during that time. He is tied for the league lead with Ovechkin, as each have 40 goals. Laine has done it on 94 fewer shots. I’m not saying, I’m just saying.
The Jets are 7-3-0 in their last 10, despite a 2-1 loss on Saturday to the Flyers. Following this back-to-back, the team returns to Winnipeg for six straight games. Home ice has been friendly to the Jets this year, with a 24-7-2 record at Bell MTS Place.
Winnipeg Jets: 41-18-9
Stat Leaders:
Goals: Patrik Laine (40)
Assists: Blake Wheeler (58)
Points: Wheeler (76)
Goalie Stat Leaders:
Wins: Connor Hellebuyck (35)
Goals Against Average: Hellebuyck (2.38)
Save Percentage: Hellebuyck (.923)
Minutes: Hellebuyck (3,299)
Special Teams: PP 24.5% (2nd), PK 82.9% (5th)
Washington Capitals: 38-23-7
Stat Leaders:
Goals: Alex Ovechkin (40)
Assists: Evgeny Kuznetsov (44)
Points: Ovechkin (72)
Goalie Stat Leaders:
Wins: Braden Holtby (29)
Goals Against Average: Philipp Grubauer (2.25)
Save Percentage: Philipp Grubauer (.925)
Minutes: Elliott (2,709)
Special Teams: PP 21.8% (6th), PK 79.7% (19th)
PREDICTION: JETS 3 CAPITALS 2
OPPONENT’S BLOG: JAPERS’ RINK
