Time: 9:00 PM CST
Channel: Sportsnet1, City, SportsnetWest
Radio: TSN1290
The Winnipeg Jets are ready for the second half of a back to back against the Los Angeles Kings who are also on the second half of a back to back. Both teams will have a slightly longer rest as they played afternoon games yesterday. The Jets don’t have much travel as they were in Anaheim before going to Los Angeles.
The Jets are right where they want to be after American Thanksgiving. They are in a playoff spot and have extremely strong goaltending thanks to Connor Hellebuyck. It is unlikely that the Jets will play Hellebuyck tonight and instead opt to give him the night off in favour of Lauren Brossoit who usually plays one game in a back to back.
The Jets are also looking at increased production from the forwards including the revelation that is Nikolaj Ehlers. Ehlers has long been the best Jet at carrying the puck and it is finally being recognized. His ability to carry the puck has helped his line as they have adjusted to having no Bryan Little in the lineup and Blake Wheeler at centre.
As for the Kings, they are not the team they used to be and that is a good thing for the Jets. They used to be stifling team and now they are a lot more porous. Same with their goalie Jonathan Quick. He might be starting tonight, but I am not certain. If he is, he is not the goalie he used to be and is definitely not better than Hellebuyck for the next few years.
Outside of Quick, there is also captain Anze Kopitar. Kopitar is still a point per game player and is actually good. He is probably still underrated in the NHL as he has rarely gotten the praise he deserves for his level of play. Besides Kopitar, there is not a lot to write home about when it comes to the Kings.
Prediction
LA explodes for a million goals because I called them bad.
