Time: 9:30 pm CST
Channel: TSN3
Radio: CJOB680/Power 97
As the Winnipeg Jets await an update on the health of Kyle Connor, they are preparing to face off against the San Jose Sharks for a late Tuesday evening game. Based on reports, the injured winger underwent an MRI yesterday and I know we are all waiting anxiously to find out the extent of the damage. GM Kevin Cheveldayoff opted not to make any roster moves yesterday and with both the Jets & Manitoba Moose on a day off, no one has been able to glean any insight as to what the plan may be. With practices later this afternoon for both squads, we may find out if a potential forward call-up is missing as the Moose prepare for their upcoming weekend games.
Moving on to tonight’s action, the Winnipeg Jets are coming in on a 4 game win streak and have picked up points in 4 of the last 5 matches. The San Jose Sharks are also on a roll, picking up points in their last 3 games, with a shoot-out loss to the Vegas Golden Knights and overtime wins over the Detroit Red Wings & NY Islanders.
Here’s how the two teams match up:
GOALS FOR/GAME: San Jose – 2.21 / Winnipeg – 3.27
GOALS AGAINST/GAME: San Jose – 4.04 / Winnipeg – 2.65
SHOTS FOR/GAME: San Jose – 25.8 / Winnipeg – 30.7
SHOTS AGAINST/GAME: San Jose – 36.7 / Winnipeg – 28.6
POWERPLAY: San Jose – 18.7% / Winnipeg – 17.6%
PENALTY KILLING: San Jose – 71.9% / Winnipeg – 75.6%
On paper, the SJ Sharks seem like the perfect team for the Winnipeg Jets to face right after losing one of their top scorers to injury. The Sharks have allowed the most goals against this season and also are the worst scoring franchise in the NHL, so the Jets offense should get plenty of chances to put the puck in the opponent’s net. With games on back-to-back nights, Winnipeg really needs a victory against San Jose because they will be facing a tough test in the Los Angeles Kings tomorrow.
Fortunately, Rick Bowness and the rest of the coaching staff have the team playing well defensively early in the season. Coming into tonight’s clash, the Jets are sitting in 6th place in least goals against per game and 6th in goal differential. Offensively, Winnipeg has also been solid, holding onto the 14th place in average goals scored per game and having the 9th best team shooting percentage (10.7%).
Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck has been smoking hot lately, saving over 94% of the shots he has faced in his last 7 contests. Does Winnipeg opt to go with Laurent Brossoit tonight and save Bucky for the battle against the Kings on Wednesday? Can the Jets keep things going & extend their winning streak to five games? Will the team receive some good news from the medical staff about Connor’s injury? Tune in for the GDT to find out some of these answers…
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