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The Winnipeg Jets wrapped up 2023 in style, sweeping the Minnesota Wild in a pair of heated games over the weekend. Now, they’ll look to kick off the new year by continuing a torrid run of play (10-1-2) in December.
It’s a one-game homestand before they hit the road for a trio of games against the San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks and Arizona Coyotes. They’ll have some company on that trip, as fathers/mentors are joining them to take in the action.
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Winnipeg will not want to overlook a Tampa Bay club that features the NHL’s leading point-producer, winger Nikita Kucherov, and the always-superb Andrei Vasilevskiy between the pipes. That said, the visitors are arriving at less than 100 per cent, to say the least.
“We only have five healthy defenceman,” said head coach Jon Cooper, whose squad will be without Mikhail Sergachev, Erik Cernak and Haydn Fleury. “We have two healthy goaltenders, which is a good thing. We’re not sure if we’re playing short, yet, but we’ll have to see at game time.”
Tampa is planning to go with the very unusual 13F/5D alignment tonight, but that’s only if forward Conor Sheary (a game-time decision with a minor injury) can play. Otherwise, the Bolts will go with just 12/5, which is a player short, as they are unable to call anyone up owing to salary-cap constraints.
Cooper had 13 forwards at his disposal during the 2017 IIHF men’s world hockey championship, but it would be something new for him at the NHL level.
“It all depends on a plethora of factors, everywhere from one guy sits for the whole time to rotating him through the lines. We’ll have to see what happens,” said Cooper, asked how he would manage having an extra forward. “It’s why we play the games. This is a challenge for everybody, but we’ll see if somebody can fill in (on defence) for a shift or two. The big thing is that we can’t have any of our defencemen take penalties. That will be a big thing for us.”
One of the benefits for the Lightning is that Victor Hedman is a minute-muncher who is having another rock-solid season.
“The forwards have to help,” said Cooper. “If you’re going to turn the puck over all night, you’ll be done because the D will have to keep going back to break it out. If they have to skate all night, that will be trouble for them. To me, the onus is on the forwards to make sure that they look after our defencemen. It won’t be on the D.”
Connor Hellebuyck — named the NHL’s third star of the month for December — gets the start in net for the Jets, who haven’t allowed more than three goals in 25 consecutive games. They are also 9-0-3 against Eastern Conference opponents, including a 3-2 overtime victory in Tampa earlier this year.
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MIKE SAYS: In Winnipeg’s last two home games — victories over the Boston Bruins and Minnesota Wild –the downtown barn was absolutely rocking, with the two biggest crowds of the year (including the first sellout Saturday afternoon). The Jets are giving the faithful plenty to cheer about, and it’s great the building is looking and sounding so lively lately. I’d expect another fun atmosphere tonight, with Tampa paying their annual visit.
It’s now three quiet games in a row from the top line of Mark Scheifele, Nikolaj Ehlers and Gabe Vilardi. Given their immense talent and how hot they had been, I wouldn’t expect that to continue much longer. The good news for the Jets is the squad hasn’t missed a beat, with their stellar depth coming through time after time.
Old friend Mikey Eyssimont is back in town, and it’s always fun to see the hard-working forward who really emerged on the NHL scene with the Jets last year. He’s become a solid, full-time piece for the Lightning, with a career-high 12 points (six goals, six assists) in 37 games this year. Not too shabby for a guy who started the year with 15 points (five goals, 10 assists) in his first 55 big-league contests. Clearly, all he needed was an opportunity, and he’s getting it now.
Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck is in the midst of a remarkable run that has seen him allow three goals in just one of his past 13 starts dating back to Nov. 17 when he faced the Buffalo Sabres. (John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press files)
KEN SAYS: When these teams get together, the games are generally highly entertaining and high event, although the Lightning’s roster situation could play a role in the style of play tonight.
Regardless, the teams are involved in fun races, whether for the Central Division title for the Jets or to battle for second and third spot in the Atlantic Division for the Lightning. “I don’t know if it’s pressure, you just can’t afford to not have your best for extended periods,” said Lightning captain Steven Stamkos. “Where in years past, we’ve gotten off to better starts, so you can go through some dry spells and you can afford that. Now, you can’t. I don’t know if pressure is the right word, but there’s more emphasis on staying consistent and we haven’t been able to really find that consistency for an extended period and that’s what you need to do. You need to go on a run where you collect points in multiple games in a row. We want to start that sooner rather than later.”
On the flip side, the Jets have been the picture of consistency. They’ll attempt to keep that momentum rolling now that the calendar has turned.
We’ve spent a lot of time praising the Jets’ depth this season and rightfully so, but it’s time to put some perspective on what Hellebuyck has been doing between the pipes. While the Jets are certainly playing a committed defensive game, Hellebuyck is in the midst of a remarkable run that has seen him allow three goals in just one of his past 13 starts dating back to Nov. 17 when he faced the Buffalo Sabres. He’s only surrendered 25 goals during that span as he’s lowered his goals-against average to 2.34, raised his save percentage to .919 and moved to the top of the goals saved above expected list, according to Money Puck.
It’s always fun to see two elite goalies go head to head, and while Vasilevskiy is still working at finding his game on a more consistent basis you can be sure he will be ready for this marquee matchup.
Kucherov is having an incredible season and goes into 2024 as the leader in the race for the Art Ross Trophy. He’s a legitimate Hart Trophy candidate and he’s been praised for his ability to find another gear and to play more of a 200-foot game this season, while also adopting a bit more of a shooter’s mentality.
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