Introduction:
The Winnipeg Jets take their two game win streak into Tampa Bay to face the NHL leading Lightning. The Jets looked impressive in their last two wins versus the Nashville Predators at home, and the Columbus Blue Jackets on the road. Blake Wheeler scored four goals in Columbus for the first time as a professional. New Jets Kevin Hayes, Nathan Beaulieu and Par Lindholm are acclimating well to the team so far. The Lightning will be a very difficult test for a Jets team that is missing some key players due to injury.
The Lightning are as good as their record indicates. 9 – 1 in their last 10 games, most recently beating up on the Ottawa Senators. The Lightning are loaded in terms of talent. Nikita Kucherov leads the NHL in points. You know your team has high end scoring talent when Steven Stamkos is third on your team in points. Victor Hedman, the reigning James Norris trophy winner, leads an excellent core of defensemen. Andrei Vasilevskiy is near the top of the league in wins for goaltenders. No question, the Lightning are the best team in the NHL at present, and the favourite to win the Stanley Cup.
Frenemy Blog:
| Winnipeg Jets | Tampa Bay Lightning |
|---|---|
| Record: 39 22 4 | Record: 50 12 4 |
| Last Ten Games: 5 4 1 | Last Ten Games: 9 1 |
| Who Is Hot: Four goals in the last game for Blake Wheeler | Who Is Hot: It looks like an Art Ross trophy this year for Nikita Kucherov |
| Who is Not: They are definitely not cold, but, the Jets will need more offense from Kyle Connor and Nikolaj Ehlers if they hope to beat the Lightning. | Who Is Not: No one really. Only the 1995-96 Detroit Red Wings reached 50 wins as quickly as the Lightning this year. |
| Keep an Eye On: The newest Jets. So far all have looked like they can contribute. | Keep an Eye On: Brayden Point having a career year heading into being an RFA |
