JGD 40: Jets continue road trip looking for win in Music City

The Winnipeg Jets will look to get back in the win column on Tuesday night when they continue their five-game road trip with a stop in Nashville.

The Jets are 1-2-0 after the first three games of this tough road trip and are coming off a 4-1 defeat against the Anaheim Ducks.

Winnipeg, which sits seven points out of a playoff spot, have been unable to string together a winning streak. But Jets head coach Paul Maurice has still be pleased with his team’s performance overall.

“I don’t think we’ve been inconsistent at all,” Maurice told the Winnipeg Sun. “There’s no great run of (wins) there, but I don’t feel we’ve been inconsistent. We’ve been a really consistent team. We’ve played hard, played well.”

Provided by DailyFaceoff.com.

Blake Wheeler has four points in his last five games and is quietly having a career season. Wheeler ranks seventh in league scoring with 10 goals and 30 assists.

Pending UFA Dustin Byfuglien still leads all Jets defencemen in scoring with nine goals and 20 assists. The Big Buff trade rumours have died down somewhat, but as the Jets near the midway point of the season and remain out of the playoff picture, expect those talks to resurface once again.

Connor Hellebuyck has been a breath of fresh air for the Jets this season. The rookie, who has posted 8-4-0 record and a .929 save percentage, is expected to start tonight against the Preds.

James Neal, who is one goal away from No. 200 for his career, leads the Preds with 15 tallies this season. Neal has scored 14 career goals against the Jets. Filip Forsberg leads all Nashville forwards with 26 points.

A pair of defencemen lead the Preds in scoring — Roman Josi with nine goals and 20 assists and Shea Weber with 11 goals and 15 assists. Expect both to be involved in the offence in a big way once again tonight against the Jets.

Pekke Rinne will get the call in net for the Preds. Rinne, who has had an average season at best, holds a 16-11-6 record with a .909 save percentage this season.

Game Day Prediction: The last time these two teams met on Nov. 15, the Preds skated away with a 7-0 victory. The Jets will be looking to get even tonight. Jets 4 Predators 1

Obvious Prediction: The Jets have struggled mightily against Central Division opponents with a record of 3-10-0. If they want to have a shot at a playoff spot, that has to turn around very soon.

Not So Obvious Prediction: Since being taken off the top line, captain Andrew Ladd’s offensive production has all but disappeared. Ladd has just two points in the last seven games. Perhaps he rediscovers his scoring touch tonight.