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Preview: Utah HC @ Winnipeg Jets

Nov 3, 2024; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele (55) celebrates his second period goal with Winnipeg Jets center Gabriel Vilardi (13) against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Canada Life Centre. Mandatory Credit: James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images

After a successful but short road trip, the Winnipeg Jets (11-1-0) have returned to the Canada Life Centre to take on the Utah Hockey Club (5-4-3) for the first time on Tuesday evening. The True North franchise is coming in on a 3 game winning streak, while the former Arizona Coyotes are 1-2-2 in their past 5 contests.

At this point in the season, both Winnipeg (1st in NHL) and Utah (tied for 13th in the NHL) are sitting in a playoff position. Despite their early successes, there are a lot of differences in the teams’ performances, such as the Jets scoring 22 more goals than the NHL’s newest franchise and allowing 12 less goals against through the opening 12 matches. To date, the Winnipeg Jets have a 5-1-0 record when playing in their home arena, while Utah has gone 2-2-2 on the road.

The Jets’ offense continues to impress, with 5 skaters averaging more than a point per game (Kyle Connor – 19 pts, Nikolaj Ehlers – 17, Mark Scheifele – 16, Josh Morrissey – 15, & Neal Pionk – 13). The scoring production has been well spread out though, as 6 more skaters have between 9 & 11 points, so the Peggers have benefited from a balanced attack early in the year. According to MoneyPuck, our Jets have the 13th best expected goal rate (51.32%) at 5 on 5 and the 4th best rate in all situations (55.18%).

Should also add my official congratulations to Ehlers, who became the highest scoring Danish-born player in NHL history with his 2 point night versus the Tampa Bay Lightning. Way to go, Fly!!

While it is too early for the pre-game skate to confirm any lineup, we will assume that head coach Scott Arniel won’t make any alterations to PuckPedia’s projected roster:

The Utah Hockey Club started the season off with 3 straight victories, but since then the wins have been much harder to come by. Things haven’t been helped much by numerous injuries to their defensemen and they are still dealing with John Marino & Sean Durzi being on the shelf.

Besides being an off-shoot of the original Winnipeg Jets, there are a couple other connections to our city’s hockey history. Former player Kevin Stenlund will make his return to the Peg for tonight’s contest, but Utah also has the son of a former Jets 1.0 player on their team. Andrew McBain was drafted 8th overall in 1983 and now his son Jack McBain will be suiting up against his dad’s former squad.

Veteran forward Nick Schmaltz (11 pts) has been joined by youngsters Clayton Keller (12), Logan Cooley (10), & Dylan Guenther (10) to provide Utah’s early season offense.

Here is how PuckPedia predicts Utah will line up their players tonight:

Now that we’ve seen the lineups, lets take a peek at how the teams compare head-to-head and how the goalies have done so far in 2024-25 (via ESPN):

Based on ESPN’s goalie comparison, it seems our Jets should have an advantage in the crease but you never know how a game will play out. You may also have picked up that Utah only sends an average of 26 shots on opposing goalies each game and that is because coach Andre Tourigny insists that his players get into a good scoring position before attempting to beat a goalie. That means Winnipeg will need to do a good job of keeping the pressure on puck carriers to not give them the space to find a pass to a teammate in a high danger position.

Fortunately for the Jets, a good effort should afford them the chance to put all kinds of pressure on Utah’s short-handed defense and below average goaltending. Well, that is all I have time for today…enjoy the day and let me hear your predictions, worries, thoughts, etc about tonight’s clash in the comment section.

Go Winnipeg!!

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