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The Winnipeg Jets aren’t happy with the start to their season, with just one win in four games. The Edmonton Oilers aren’t happy with the start to their season, with just one win in four games.
Given that they’ll meet tonight and NHL rules require that SOMEONE has to win, one of these teams is guaranteed to go to bed feeling a little better about themselves, while the misery will be extended for the other by at least one more game.
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This is Winnipeg’s second “road trip” of the season, both of which will have consisted of a single game. The Jets lost their season-opener in Calgary against the Flames, then returned for a three-game homestand which began with an impressive victory over the Florida Panthers but was followed up with back-to-back defeats to the Los Angeles Kings and Vegas Golden Knights.
Edmonton, meanwhile, got clobbered by the Vancouver Canucks in a home-and-home series to begin the year, recorded an impressive 6-1 victory in Nashville on Tuesday and then laid a big egg in Philadelphia on Thursday night in the form of a 4-1 loss.
This is the nationally televised late game as part of the traditional Hockey Night In Canada doubleheader.
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MIKE SAYS: It’s not a stretch to suggest that with a little bit better goaltending and a little bit better penalty killing, the Jets could very well be 3-1 to start the season, rather than 1-3. There’s no question the first couple weeks of the new season were going to present a stiff challenge given the opponents, and Game No. 5 might be the toughest yet given just how surly I expect Connor McDavid and company to be. The Oilers, after all, were touted by numerous hockey pundits (including yours truly) as a Stanley Cup favourite, but have been more pretender than contender so far. Is tonight the night they put it all together? If so, it could be a long one for Winnipeg.
Connor Hellebuyck hasn’t quite looked himself yet, giving up 13 goals in his three starts, and he’s likely to face a ton of high-quality rubber coming his way in this one. A return to his expected Vezina form would be a welcome development for the Jets. They’d also be wise to be on their best behaviour and stay out of the sin bin as much as possible, as Edmonton’s normally potent power play can really make you pay and Winnipeg’s work while shorthanded early in the season has left much to be desired. Hellebuyck, by the way, will be Scott Oake’s post-game guest on After Hours.
Los Angeles Kings’ Arthur Kaliyev (34) scores on Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) during third period NHL action in Winnipeg on Tuesday. (Fred Greenslade / The Canadian Press)
KEN SAYS: The self-inflicted wounds have been piling up for the Jets, especially as it relates to puck management and they’re about to face a high-octane team that feasts on turnovers. Offensively, the Jets have featured a fairly balanced attack, with newcomer Alex Iafallo tied for the lead in goals (three) with Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor. There has also been plenty of offence provided from the D corps, with Josh Morrissey leading the way with four assists and partner Dylan DeMelo chipping in a goal and three points.
Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft has loaded up the top line with McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, two players who have flourished against the Jets over the course of their careers. McDavid has 12 goals and 51 points in 29 games against the Jets, while Draisaitl (who became the franchise leader in power-play goals earlier this week) has notched 22 goals and 39 points in 30 games. It’s important to remember that McDavid and Draisaitl produce a lot against almost every team in the NHL but keeping them in check will be a top priority for the Jets in this one. Through four games, the Jets have allowed 19 goals, while the Oilers have given up 17, so it stands to reason it will likely be a low-scoring affair instead of a track meet.
After sitting out Thursday’s game, Nate Schmidt returns to the Jets lineup on defence for Logan Stanley, while the Oilers are going with 11 forwards and seven D-men, with Philip Broberg returns to the lineup and Adam Erne is a healthy scratch.
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