Time: 12:00 noon CST
Channel: TSN
Radio: CJOB680/Power 97
The Winnipeg Jets will try and shake off a less than adequate performance in New Jersey when they take on the New York Islanders. The 8th place Jets (44-20-5) and the 20th place Islanders (29-25-15) are set to take to the ice at the UBS Arena at noon on Sunday in a game that means something to both franchises. With a record of 15-9-10 at home, the Islanders have played fairly well in Elmont, NY this season, while the Jets have gone 21-11-3 when they are away from Winnipeg.
Coming in to today’s contest, the NY Islanders find themselves only 5 points back from the East’s last wildcard spot and even have a game in hand on the Detroit Red Wings. After going on a 6 game win streak that saw them topple some of the NHL’s better teams (BOS & DAL), the Isles’ have gone 0-5-1 in their past six contests, including a key loss to the Wings (6-3) in their last outing. The Winnipeg Jets are now trailing the Dallas Stars & Colorado Avalanche in the race for 1st in the Central and will need to pick up 2 points to rejoin the deadlock atop the division.
New York have struggled with goals against this season (-26 team goal differential), despite getting above average goaltending from Ilya Sorokin (3.07 GAA & .907%) and Semyon Varlamov (2.86 GAA & .910%). There have been some highlights for NY’s “other team” this year, as defenseman Noah Dobson (65 pts) and forward Bo Horvat (62 pts) have already put up career highs. Mathew Barzal is also challenging his NHL best point total, the center put up 85 pts during his rookie campaign and is currently on pace for 84 in 2023-24. And Brock Nelson is one goal away from his 3rd straight 30 goal season, so at least some things have gone right on the island this season.
With head coach Rick Bowness still in Winnipeg for a minor medical procedure, it will be up to Scott Arniel to right the ship after an uninspiring performance against the Devils. With no news on an official Jets’ lineup for tonight, I am going to assume that Connor Hellebuyck (2.30 GAA & .923%) will get the start today versus New York while Laurent Brossoit (2.05 GAA & .927%) will be in between the pipes on Sunday against the Capitals. One nugget that has come out is that Cole Perfetti (31 pts in 63 games) will be returning to the lineup after being a healthy scratch for the past 4 games, but the report didn’t include which forward would be coming out. With no recent news about Gabriel Vilardi’s condition, it seems he will be out a while longer though the media has indicated that Winnipeg hopes that he will be able to return before the post-season. Fingers crossed.
Taking a look at the stats above, I’m sure the rest of the Jets’ fans are as excited as I am about the prospect of Winnipeg’s penalty killers facing another proficient powerplay. But at least New York’s short-handed units are even worse than the Jets…so maybe we’ll get to witness a much needed PP goal by the Peggers.
Will be a busy day for me with Winnipeg’s game starting at noon and their AHL affiliate’s puck drop at 2 pm. The Manitoba Moose will be looking to start a new winning streak against the Abbotsford Canucks as Brad Lambert (47 pts in 53 games) continues to strive to set a franchise-high point total for a rookie (Jack Roslovic currently holds that distinction with 48 pts in 65 games).
Enjoy your weekend and join us here to discuss the game if you have the time and internet connection.
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