Time: 6:00 PM CST
Channel: Sportsnet West, Sportsnet 360
Radio: CJOB680
The Winnipeg Jets are playing their divisional rival the Colorado Avalanche. The Jets are two points behind the Avs with a game in hand. The Avs are leading the division and the Jets, who are on a streak, are right behind them. Both teams are on win streaks even if the Avs have seemed uneven this season. Once again, this is a key game for the Jets.
The Jets have been dealing with all sorts of injuries this season and they are currently successfully dealing with Kyle Connor being out injured. Gabe Vilardi, Nikolaj Ehlers, and Mark Scheifele have proven to be excellent in his absence and shows that the Jets forward depth is still there. They have made some trades, but have almost always gotten back some solid skill and depth.
The Jets defence is and will always be, a point of concern. However, their flaws are covered up by the wonderful play of Connor Hellebuyck. The Jets defence has long been a point of concern due to unexpected retirements and trade demands. The Jets have done a good job of putting NHLers there, but they do not necessarily have the right players in the right places. It is something that Kevin Cheveldayoff can look at improving while knowing that he has Hellebuyck back there for cleanup duty.
The Avs have been dealing with injuries of their own including the multi-season injury to captain Gabriel Landeskog. They have been without his services since winning the Stanley Cup although he did make an appearance in the audience when Erik Johnson returned to Denver recently. They have also not had the services of all their defencemen at all times including Cale Makar who is one of the best in the league. Whilst he is back now, they did miss his presence.
All of this is to say is that the game tonight should be an absolute banger and will hopefully live up to the games between the Jets and Nashville Predators of old.
