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It’s the most wonderful time of the year – for hockey fans, anyway.
The seemingly never-ending pre-season is finally over, and the puck drops for real tonight on a new campaign for the Winnipeg Jets. They’re in Calgary to face their former Smythe Division rivals, which always makes for a fiery matchup.
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This is the first of three head-to-head meetings between the Jets and Flames. Winnipeg went 46-33-2 last year, grabbing the second wildcard spot but losing to the Vegas Golden Knights in the opening round of the playoffs. Calgary went 38-27-17 and missed the postseason
You might want to put an extra pot of coffee on for this one. This one doesn’t get underway until 9 p.m. CT, which is actually going to be closer to 9:20 once all the opening-night pomp and circumstance is completed. Will it be worth the wait? We’re about to find out.
To get you set, our guys on the beat have everything you need to know. Ken is on the scene in Calgary, while Mike will be watching this one from the couch.
From the press box
Mike says: You never get a second chance to make a first impression, and I’m eager to see what version of the Jets hit the ice tonight. Is it the one that tip-toes into games, allowing the opponent to dictate the pace and style? We saw that one quite a bit last year, especially in the second half as things really started to go south. Or will it be the version that comes out and asserts itself early and often, the way they did through much of the first few months of 2022-23 when they looked like a legitimate Western Conference contender? I know which one coach Rick Bowness wants to see.
You’d think Winnipeg might also be riding an emotional high of Adam Lowry’s first official night as captain (in his hometown, to boot!) and the ink still not yet being dry on the massive, franchise-altering contract extensions signed by No. 1 goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and top centre Mark Scheifele. I’ll be watching all three of those players closely tonight, along with the trio of former Kings (Gabe Vilardi, Alex Iafallo, Rasmus Kupari) making their Winnipeg debuts and the intriguing second line of centre Cole Perfetti and wingers Nino Niederreiter and Nikolaj Ehlers, who missed all six preseason games with neck spasms. Will there be some early chemistry or some obvious (and expected) lack of cohesion?
From left: Jets general manger Kevin Cheveldayoff, forward Mark Scheifele, goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, and head coach Rick Bowness at the news conference Tuesday. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Free Press files)
One thing is certain: Snap judgments and hot takes will be flying fast and furious based on 60 minutes of action. Win, and the Stanley Cup parade route will be mapped out by some. Lose, and it’s time to start thinking about the first-overall pick next summer! Remember, folks: The 82-game campaign is a marathon, not a sprint. Pace yourself accordingly. And enjoy the journey.
Ken says: After doubling down on the core group with the announcement of extensions for Mark Scheifele and Connor Hellebuyck that kick in next season, the Jets are bound and determined to get off to a strong start against a western Canadian rival. Although a great deal of attention has been paid to the newcomers and the contract news, it’s a big night for defenceman Josh Morrissey. He is coming off a career year offensively and worked his way into the Norris Trophy conversation, which was a major development. But it’s one that simply fueled his desire to continue his progression as a player and work his way up on the voters’ ballots.
One of the other areas I’ll be watching pertains to the usage of the forward group. Jets head coach Rick Bowness said that he’s planning to roll four lines and is committed to using that fourth unit for 10-12 minutes per night whenever possible. After all of the talk about the improved depth, the Jets must now show they can get consistent production throughout the lineup and not be as reliant on the top-two forward lines.
For the Flames, most eyes will be on three key players: goalie Jacob Markstrom, centre Nazem Kadri and left-winger Jonathan Huberdeau. Markstrom is coming off a really challenging campaign between the pipes and he’s hoping to get back to Vezina finalist form of one year prior. Kadri and Huberdeau both saw a significant decline in production, but are feeling rejuvenated under new Flames head coach Ryan Huska.
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