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It’s always a special night on the NHL calendar for Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and winger Kyle Connor when they make their once-a-year stop in Motown to face the Detroit Red Wings. This is a “home game” for the Michigan products, who will have plenty of family and friends on hand. Same with forward Vlad Namestnikov, who also has deep roots in the area.
The Jets will see a couple of old friends — forward Andrew Copp (also a Michigan native) and defenceman Ben Chiarot, who are both alternate captains in Detroit.
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Winnipeg is looking to build on a two-game winning streak, while Detroit is off to a red-hot start with just one regulation loss in its first seven. The Wings have all kinds of offensive weaponry and will post a major test for the Jets as the first stop on this two-game road trip, which wraps up Saturday night in Montreal.
Here’s what you need to get set:
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MIKE SAYS: Buckle up. This one could turn into a track meet, with the high-flying (and high-scoring) Red Wings facing a Jets team with plenty of firepower of their own. Priority No. 1 is stopping the dynamic duo of Dylan Larkin (four goals, 10 assists) and Alex DeBrincat (nine goals, four assists) in their tracks. No doubt interim coach Scott Arniel will try to get his top defensive duo of Josh Morrissey and Dylan DeMelo out against them as much as possible — along with Adam Lowry’s shutdown line — but that’s not easy to do when you’re the visiting team and don’t have last change.
After clawing back to .500 following a 1-3-0 start to the year, no doubt the Jets would love to continue the momentum and bank another two points. That might have been a fairly routine ask in recent years, with the Red Wings languishing near the bottom of the NHL standings, but general manager Steve Yzerman (an idol of Jets centre Mark Scheifele, by the way) has done a solid job in putting “Hockeytown” back on the map with some high draft picks, shrewd free agent signings and big trades. Detroit looks to be a tough out for many years to come.
KEN SAYS: Discipline will be a top priority for the Jets in this one as they’re going up against a Red Wings power play that is clicking at a ridiculous rate (41.4 per cent) through seven games which leaves them second in the NHL. The Jets penalty kill is operating at 72.0 per cent, which leaves them 24th in the NHL, so that’s an area they’ll be looking to improve upon.
Much has been made about the Jets needing to generate offence from the defence corps and they’re off to a solid start on that front, with two goals and 16 points through six games. Josh Morrissey is pacing the group with a goal and six points, while defence partner Dylan DeMelo is close behind with a goal and five points.
Winnipeg Jets’ Dylan DeMelo (2) celebrates his goal against the Florida Panthers during second period NHL action in Winnipeg on Oct. 14. (John Woods / The Canadian Press files)
Connor Hellebuyck, who is set to make a third consecutive start and sixth in seven games, is 5-4-1 with a 3.00 goals-against average and .904 save percentage in 11 lifetime appearances against the team from his home state of Michigan.
Morweena, Man., product James Reimer gets the call in goal for the Red Wings and he’s off to a 2-0 start and has posted a 1.00 goals-against average and .963 save percentage. Reimer is 7-9-1 in 20 career appearances against the Jets, with a 3.25 goals-against average and .907 save percentage — though he posted a 41-save shutout against them as a member of the San Jose Sharks back on March 28.
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