Time: 7:00 PM CST
Channel: TSN3
Radio: CJOB
The Winnipeg Jets and Ottawa Senators are playing tonight and neither team is who we thought they were. The Senators had a strong pre-season after an offseason spent upgrading their team. That has not translated to in-season success and the team has been struggling to win games and are under .500 on the season.
The Jets appeared to be entering this season without the necessary upgrades needed to improve in the Western Conference this year, they have shown that the coaching change has helped invigorate the entire roster and improve them immensely. Thanks to Rick Bowness and his staff, the Jets have shown immense improvement and ability to fight back this year. They have also benefitted from Connor Hellebuyck being very, very good.
Speaking of Hellebuyck, the Jets recalled Arvid Holm from the Manitoba Moose this morning and Hellebuyck is not at the morning skate. No one knows what is going on with goalies right now, but based on all the stuff flying around, it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility that Hellebuyck simply got sick and cannot play. As for the rest of the lineup: Ville Heinola is back in and Kyle Capobianco is out. Mike Eissymont is also out. The Jets are continuing to hold on while dealing with multiple significant injuries and with the holiday roster freeze now in effect, the Jets cannot trade for any reinforcements if they get hit by another injury. So knock on wood everything is good until December 28.
