Time: 6:30 pm CST
Channel: SportsNet
Radio: CJOB680/Power 97
Coming off possibly their best game of the season, the Winnipeg Jets will spend the day getting ready to face the Montreal Canadiens at the Canada Life Centre. Tonight’s clash features a Jets team that holds the 2nd spot in the Central Division with a 18-9-2 record (38 pts) and a visiting Canadiens franchise that is 6th in the Atlantic with a 13-13-4 record (30 pts).
On the first real cold day of winter in southern Manitoba, the Jets offense will try to fight that cooling trend to remain smoking hot. Winnipeg has scored 11 goals in their wins over Colorado & Los Angeles, part of 20 goals for in the past 5 outings. Gabe Vilardi has exploded onto the scene, amassing 3 goals and 3 assists versus the Kings & Avalanche, and the Jets’ top line seems to be really clicking. Connor Hellebuyck is back to his Vezina-form and Winnipeg’s much maligned defense is doing an excellent job of limiting high-danger chances against. While it’s great that the Mark Scheifele line is outscoring opponents 6 to 1, the Jets will need to get contributions from the middle six if they want to be considered a contender.
The Montreal Canadiens always seem to cause the Jets difficulties for some reason and games against them just remind me of Chevy’s poor decision to try to squeak Johnny Kovacevic through waivers. Despite being 2-3 in their past 5 matches, the Habs are coming off a win over a good NY Islanders team so the Jets need to play a full game if they have hopes of a victory.
Here’s how the two teams match up:
GOALS FOR/GAME: Montreal – 2.70 / Winnipeg – 3.34
GOALS AGAINST/GAME: Montreal – 3.37 / Winnipeg – 2.59
SHOTS FOR/GAME: Montreal – 29.6 / Winnipeg – 30.6
SHOTS AGAINST/GAME: Montreal – 34.4 / Winnipeg – 29.0
POWERPLAY: Montreal – 16.7% / Winnipeg – 17%
PENALTY KILLING: Montreal – 72.6% / Winnipeg – 75.3%
Can the Winnipeg Jets extend their winning streak to three games? Our team is 7-0-1 this year versus the Eastern Conference and 5-0-1 against the Atlantic Division, so that bodes well.
Looking for an easy way to support Arctic Ice Hockey Use our Affiliate Link when shopping hockey merch this holiday season!
