Anaheim Ducks at Winnipeg Jets

Connor Hellebuyck is on the cusp of a major milestone as the Winnipeg Jets kick off 2025 — and a season-long eight-game homestand — by hosting the Anaheim Ducks at Canada Life Centre.

With his next victory, the reigning Vezina Trophy winner will become just the 30th goaltender in NHL history to have at least 300 wins and 40 shutouts.

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“Yeah, he lets us know every day,” Jets captain Adam Lowry said this morning when asked how much players are aware of the stakes.

He was kidding, of course.

“You look at the body of work, his career, and what he’s done since he came into the league. I’d say he’s one of the best goalies of our generation,” Lowry continued.

“It’s kind of one of those things where he continually seems to wow you, he continually seems to get better. You think the numbers from the previous year are unbelievable and then he has a start like he’s had this year. We’re really happy, and really lucky to be a part of it. He’s a huge part of our team. He’s a huge reason why we’re where we’re at. Hopefully, we can get that milestone sooner rather than later.”

Don’t assume these Ducks will be easy prey despite the 21-point difference in the standings. They are coming off back-to-back wins over the Edmonton Oilers and New Jersey Devils and are 1-0 against Winnipeg this year. That 3-2 victory happened on Dec. 18 in southern California, with a costly turnover by Jets defenceman Neal Pionk leading to the game-winner in the waning seconds of the third period.

The Jets were playing for a second straight night in that one, so you’d expect them to be a bit sharper tonight. They are coming off a 5-2 loss on New Year’s Eve in Colorado that snapped a four-game winning streak.

With his next victory, Connor Hellebuyck will become the 30th goaltender in NHL history to have at least 300 wins and 40 shutouts. (Jeffrey T. Barnes / Associated Press files)

“We know we have a big challenge tonight,” said defenceman Dylan DeMelo, who dodged an injury bullet after taking a puck to the back of his knee late in the third period against the Avalanche.

“They’re a better team than they were last year. They play a very hard, structured game. They get on the forecheck, they’re physical, they play direct. They got a lot of speed. So, we’ve got to be sharp tonight. This is a big game for us, obviously, starting off this homestand. And with Helly, obviously amazing. Probably the best goalie in our lifetime, or in my career. Hall of Fame once he retires. He’s the best. We’re so lucky to have him. And he just is going to continue to break records as he goes.”

Hellebuyck will be opposed by veteran John Gibson in the Anaheim net. The Jets are expected to make one lineup change with defenceman Ville Heinola — a healthy scratch for the past two games — replacing Dylan Coghlan on the third pairing beside Colin Miller.

Here’s some more information to get you set for game time.

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FROM THE PRESS BOX

MIKE SAYS: These next couple weeks represent a huge opportunity for a Jets team that is already in great shape. With eight straight in their backyard and a 14-3-1 record so far this year at Canada Life Centre, Winnipeg can really create a cushion in the standings. Just don’t tell any of the players that.

“I think it’s important that you don’t get too far ahead of yourself,” Lowry said following the morning skate. “You want to play well at home. We want to play well in front of our fans. But you can’t go win all eight in one game. So just focus on this first one. After that, move on to the next one and just try to get better every day.”

During their last matchup, the Ducks won 3-2 against the Jets. Winnipeg Jets centre Gabriel Vilardi (13) scored a second-period goal against the Ducks Dec. 18. (Kyusung Gong / The Associated Press files)

Jets coach Scott Arniel had a similar response when asked if there’s a danger in straying from the “one game at a time” mindset.

“That’s why we don’t talk about it,” he said. “This group has done a fantastic job, whether it’s a win or a loss, to move on to the next game. Just because of the schedule itself and it’s no different right now.”

The Jets are now up to six sellouts this season, including three of the past four games. That’s a promising development for a team that didn’t get its first until after Christmas last year (but ended up with 10). With all this home cooking now on the horizon and the holidays in the rearview mirror, we’ll see if attendance continues to surge.

Logan Stanley, who might just be one of the most polarizing players of the Jets 2.0 era, has assists in three straight games as debate rages on from plenty of fans about whether he should even be in the lineup.

With Dylan Samberg and Haydn Fleury both injured, he’s now skating on the second pair with Neal Pionk. One of the benefits of being at home is the ability for Arniel to get the last change, so he can protect that pair a bit more than he was able to the other night in Denver. There’s also some good news on the horizon as Samberg participated in today’s skate and was moving around really well in his non-contact sweater as he works his way back from a broken foot suffered in November.

Samberg “has some work to do” in terms of conditioning and isn’t ready to take on any live fire during practice, but Arniel admitted his return is now “on the horizon.” It should happen at some point during this homestand, perhaps as early as next week.

KEN SAYS: The trio of Nikolaj Ehlers, Vladislav Namestnikov and Cole Perfetti could use a bit of an offensive outburst. Ehlers has five points during the past three games, but a lot of the damage came on the power play, plus he spent much of the third period on Tuesday skating alongside Lowry and Nino Niederreiter. Perfetti has gone four games without a point since he recorded a goal and three points against the Minnesota Wild.

That’s Perfetti’s only goal in the past 15 games, though there have been plenty of moments where he’s created quality looks for himself and his linemates. Namestnikov has been a bit snake-bitten of late as well, going four games without a point since recording his ninth goal of the season against the Wild. There have been times this season when the line has been really effective and the Jets need them to get back to that place.

Opportunity is once again knocking for Heinola, who sat out the past two games when Coghlan returned to the lineup. Coghlan showed well in his two outings, so it’s up to Heinola to keep elevating his game — especially with the return of Samberg coming not too far down the road. Heinola was starting to activate a bit more offensively in recent games and adding that component to his game is something that will allow him to continue to jockey for position on the Jets’ D corps depth chart.

Former Jets blue-liner Jacob Trouba is beginning to settle in with his new team and he’s someone that you better be aware of when he’s on the ice, given his ability to deliver a big check when one presents itself.

Anaheim Ducks defenceman Jacob Trouba (65) shoots past Winnipeg Jets left wing Alex Iafallo (9) during the Dec. 18 game in Anaheim, Calif. (Kyusung Gong / The Associated Press files)

Ducks head coach Greg Cronin has been impressed with the offensive side of Trouba’s game as well, which is not a surprise to those who watched him pile up 50 points in his final season with the Jets when he saw ample time running the top power-play unit.

Trouba’s physical style of play, coupled with his puck-moving ability and leadership, would certainly be a fit for the Jets as they approach the NHL trade deadline, but the $8 million AAV for this season and next makes a potential reunion rather complicated.

PROJECTED LINES

WINNIPEG JETS

NOTABLE QUOTABLE

Jets captain Adam Lowry on goaltender Connor Hellebuyck:

“I think sometimes his biggest downfall is he makes it look really easy out there. He’s so good at reading the play, he makes real difficult saves look routine. He’s always trying to find ways to get better, he’s always analyzing his game and seeing things he can work on. He’s a special player. So far it’s been a fantastic start for him. He’s a huge reason why we’re where we’re at right now. We’re going to continue trying to play hard in front of him to hopefully keep those numbers where they’re at.”

WHAT WE’RE WORKING ON

We’ll have double game coverage from downtown Winnipeg. Ken will have an early story to go with Mike’s analysis of the Jets versus Ducks. You can find both pieces online at winnipegfreepress.com and in Friday’s print edition.

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