Jets could make it seven straight wins tonight

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 08/04/2017 (3162 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Jets can make it seven straight wins with a victory over the Nashville Predators tonight in the regular season finale at the MTS Centre (6 p.m., Sportsnet, TSN 1290).

The Jets (39-35-7), who have been eliminated from the playoffs for more than a week, extended their win streak to six games after edging the Columbus Blue Jackets on the road, 5-4, Thursday night. It’s the longest win streak for the franchise in their six seasons in Winnipeg, but that doesn’t make it any easier knowing the end is near.

“It’s not a great feeling, especially with the way we’ve been going here lately,” said Jets captain Blake Wheeler. “Guys are feeling good and we’ve got some guys playing some really good hockey so it’s a disappointing feeling.”

Wheeler, who is second on the Jets with 73 points, was then asked if the team’s current run could, in any way, carry over into next season.

“I don’t think so. We did it last year, too; won four games in California and, you know, here we are again,” he said. “It’s mostly just about showing the young guys that regardless of the scenario, regardless of the situation you come to the rink ready to work and prepared to play every night. You do that enough times you’re going to be playing in more playoff games, hopefully sooner than later.”

The Predators (41-28-12) enter the game secured of a playoff position, currently holding the final wild card spot in the West, but can still leapfrog the Calgary Flames, who are tied with Nashville with 94 points and wrap up their season against the San Jose Sharks tonight. Nashville has collected points in three of their last four games (2-1-1), including a convincing 7-3 win over the Dallas Stars on Thursday.

Connor Hellebuyck returns to the crease, earning his first start in three games since edging the Ottawa Senators at home on April 1. Hellebuyck has struggled at times this season, but has also shown signs of progress through the rough patches.

Jets head coach Paul Maurice said he wasn’t looking for anything in particular from his goaltender in the final game of the year.

“The quality of his play at times, I think, is better in the second half. I don’t know if the numbers would tell you whether that’s true but how he handles the puck – and I don’t mean with his stick – but how it’s coming to him, where he goes after. There’s going to be some numbers at the end of this in terms of starts and wins are going to be pretty darn good.”

In 55 games, 52 of which were starts, Hellebuyck has posted a 25-19-4 record, with a 2.93 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage.

Nashville will counter with Pekka Rinne in net, but could be pulled in favour of backup Juuse Saros, according to head coach Peter Laviolette.

“We’re going to give him some work,” Laviolette said. “I’m going to keep an eye on the game, realizing that the most important thing is next week. I think we’ve done a pretty good job [of getting guys into the lineup. As we move forward here, it’s another opportunity for guys to get their game straight, including the goaltenders.”

jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.catwitter: @jeffkhamilton