The Winnipeg Jets are coming off a big victory on Friday over their closest division rivals, the Dallas Stars, and that has given the franchise a bit more breathing room as they try to lock up the top spot in the Central. A dominating performance by the Jets’ top forward line in that game saw them score 3 of 4 of the team’s goals, as Winnipeg stifled the Stars’ powerful offense to end a short two game homestand with a perfect 2-0-0 record.
The True Northers will now head out on the road for a 3 game trip, which will begin in the state of Washington when our squad visits the Seattle Kraken at the Climate Pledge Arena. With a 21-12-0 record away from the Canada Life Centre, Winnipeg has the second lowest total of road losses in the NHL, only trailing their President’s Trophy challengers, the Washington Capitals (23-8-2). Somewhat surprising to me, the Jets have had the most trouble with Pacific Division franchises this season with only a 9-4-3 record against the most western division.
The Winnipeg Jets (46-17-4) enter Sunday’s contest on a 2 game winning streak, while picking up victories in 4 of their last 5 matches. Our club has been near the top of the league all season and that hasn’t changed since they are deadlocked with the Capitals for the best record. The Jets are also the 3rd highest scoring team this season (234 goals), while being the NHL’s elite defensive group (154 goals against). The True Northers also own the league’s top powerplay unit and the 14th best penalty killers in 2024-25.
The Seattle Kraken (29-34-4) also enter action on Sunday with a 2 game winning streak after getting the better of the Montreal Canadiens & Utah Hockey Club. After finishing 12th in the NHL just two seasons ago, the Kraken have seen their fortunes go downhill with back-to-back poor seasons (23rd & 28th best record in the league). That puts this season’s version of the club firmly in the “lottery pick” territory and saw GM Ron Francis become a seller at the deadline, even sending feisty forward Brandon Tanev back to the Peg during that period. The Washington State club has been pretty good offensively this season (201 goals for 16th best), but the same can’t be said for the defense (tied for 25th w/ 218 goals against). On special teams, Seattle has the 25th best PP and the 13th worst PK.
With Winnipeg’s veteran defenseman Neal Pionk on the mend and speedy forward Rasmus Kupari nearing a return, coach Scott Arniel could run with the same lineup that faced the Stars….although I suspect we might get to see an Eric Comrie start on Sunday. There is also the chance that coach’s favourite Logan Stanley sneaks back onto the ice as well, but Jets’ fandom is likely hoping that won’t come to fruition.
Seattle appears to be completely healthy, at least according to PuckPedia. When it comes to connections to our Jets, the Kraken do have one of our former players in Mikey Eyssimont and also the brother of Winnipeg defenseman Haydn Fleury on their roster, Cale Fleury.
Here are the early lineup projections, but with the pre-game skate not occurring until noon there obviously could be alterations:
Some very interesting centers to watch on the opposition tonight, with former 2nd overall selection 22 yr old Matthew Beniers (36 pts in 67 gms), former 4th overall pick 21 yr old Shane Wright (38 pts in 64 gms), and someone Jets’ fans often try to trade for on PuckPedia, 28 yr old center Jared McCann (45 pts in 67 gms).
If you are interested in checking out a Kraken’s perspective of tonight’s game, check out the Preview from Davy Jones’ Locker Room below:
Okay….now it is time for the numbers. Below you can check out how Winnipeg & Seattle’s season stats look when you compare them head-to-head and the potential starters in ESPN’s look at the goalies.
Our Winnipeg Jets have pretty large advantages in most of the statistical categories, but you never want to put the cart in front of the horse and assume an easy victory for our squad. Or perhaps that could just be me?
Lets hear your thoughts on the upcoming clash in the Comment section…..which True Norther will be the team’s best player when the puck drops at 8 pm Central? Will the Peggers pick up a win? Can Cole Perfetti continue to win over the Jets’ fanbase with his newfound “prickish” play?
Go Winnipeg!!!!!!
