JGD 7: Jets Continue Homestand Against Bolts

The Winnipeg Jets will play the third game of their six-game homestand tonight as they welcome to town Steven Stamkos and the Tampa Bay Lightning. 

The Jets last played on Sunday in a hard fought 4-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues. It was a close game throughout. The Jets never lead during the game, but equalized the score twice. However, they were unable to get even it a third time and a late power play goal secured a 4-2 Blues win. 

The Lightning are currently on a four-game road trip. They began their road trip with a stop in Nashville on Tuesday. Like the Jets, they played a close, hard fought game, but came up short with a 5-4 shootout loss. 

Both teams will be looking to get back to their winning ways tonight and prevent themselves from losing two in a row. 

Jets Nation recently took a look at the Jets defensive woes so far this season. They rank significantly below league average in unblocked shot attempts, shots on goal, scoring chances, and high-danger scoring chances. The Jets are also in the top third of the league in minor penalties taken. 

This is interesting to not because, with the Lightning coming to town who have a ridiculously deadly offense, they will need to be better defensively and stay out of the box. Otherwise, it will be very difficult to come out with a win tonight. 

Ondrej Pavelec will be back in net to face the Bolts tonight. He continued his strong play last game against the Blues, stopping 37 of 41 shots. Pavelec is just 2-2 on the season, but has posted a strong save percentage of .926 through his first four starts. 

Ben Bishop will start in net for the Lightning. Bishop has started every game so far this season for the Lightning and this will be his eighth consecutive start. So far this season, he is 4-2-1 with a 2.56 GAA and a .905 save percentage. 

His numbers have not been too strong this season. If the Jets can get an early goal in on Bishop, it may get him shaken up.