JGD 23: Jets Hope To End Road Woes In Nashville

Have you ever been on a bad road trip? You know what I’m talking about. The car breaks down multiple times. Someone gets sick. You get lost and end up on the bad side of town. Your hotel room is filled with bugs and all you want to do is go home and sleep in your own bed. Well, the Winnipeg Jets have had one of those treks and it will mercifully end Friday night in Music City against the Nashville Predators.

The Jets have gone 0-4 on this current trip while only scoring 5 goals total during this span. Yes, injuries and a rough schedule play a factor. But the Jets need to be better especially against a division foe. The time to right the ship is now.

This might change. At practice on Thursday, Patrik Laine joined Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler on the top line while Nikolaj Ehlers was on a line with Nic Petan and Drew Stafford. That forced Brandon Tanev down on the third line with Adam Lowry and Marko Dano while Andrew Copp was with Alexander Burmistrov and Chris Thorburn. 

It is understandable why Paul Maurice has juggled the lines but at some point, he needs to stick with certain trios. Keeping Laine in the top six should be obvious. Once the likes of Bryan Little, Mathieu Perreault and Joel Armia get healthy, the lineup should look better.

Sad update. Toby Enstrom flew back to Sweden for a family emergency and will miss the game. His return to the lineup is unknown as of press time. Paul Postma will return to the lineup and will likely pair up with Mark Stuart in the third pairing. Ben Chiarot was with Dustin Byfuglien while Jacob Trouba and Josh Morrissey were teamed up. 

If those pairings hold up, the Trouba/Morrissey pairing is very intriguing. Both are rising stars on the Jets blueline and are a potential number one pairing down the road. One wonders if they have a solid game if they will stay together for future games.

Despite the Jets recent struggles, Connor Hellebuyck has posted save percentage numbers that are above league average in four out of his last five starts. While he hasn’t stolen a game as of yet, Hellebuyck’s play has steadily improved since a slow start to the season. Now he just needs some goal support up front. 

The Predators are starting to find their game and the top line of Viktor Arvidsson, Ryan Johansen and James Neal are a big reason why. The trio have combined for 11 points in the last 5 games and are difficult to contain when they’re firing on all cylinders. Neal’s size and hockey sense has helped him lead the Predators in goals with 9. Johansen is a nifty playmaker who brings speed and creativity. Arvidsson is a solid two-way player who brings a little bit of everything. The Jets need to be aware when this line is on the ice.

P.K. Subban is starting to sing a happier song in Music City. His 51.7% corsi is impressive when you consider that Subban leads the Predators in ice time. There is pressure on Subban since his arrival from Montreal after a blockbuster trade that sent the popular Shea Weber to La Belle Province. After a slow start, it looks like Subban is finding his game and Nashville will reap the benefits.

Pekka Rinne has come under heavy criticism as many saw his game go on a downward spiral in recent years. But the Finnish netminder is starting to bounce back. His .934 save percentage is excellent and with the team playing better in front of him, Rinne is regaining his confidence. If Rinne’s strong play continues, Nashville will be a threat in the Western Conference.

Game Prediction: The Jets can’t wait for this road trip to end and to get its veterans healthy. The Predators are on the upswing. We try to be positive but we just can’t. Sorry. Nashville wins 4-2.

Obvious Prediction: At least one country music star will be at the game. Vince Gill is a longtime season ticket holder. Travis Tritt shows up regularly. Expect someone from the genre to make an appearance.

Not So Obvious Prediction: To balance it out, one rock star will be at the game just to give people who don’t like country music some love.