JGD 74: Just Hold On, We’re Almost Done

While I’m sure none of us or happy to see Winnipeg Jets hockey come to an end, there is sure some relief to putting this painful season behind us. 

It’s like a band-aid on your arm being slowly pulled off, but we want to just rip it off quick and get it over with…and then have the arm amputated because you want nothing to do with it anymore. 

Regardless, before we get there, we still have some more hockey to play.

The Winnipeg Jets will wrap up a four-game home-stand tonight as they play host to the Los Angeles Kings. 

Yeah, I know. This should be good. 

The Jets lost to the Kings in their previous meeting this season all the way back on October 27 by a score of 4-1. 

The Jets are currently 1-1-1 on the home-stand, most recently triumphing over the Vancouver Canucks 2-0 Tuesday night. Prior to that, they lost to the Anaheim Ducks 3-2 in overtime and a 4-0 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks before that. 

Not exactly the easiest home-stand the Jets have had this season, but they still have a shot at ending it with a winning record. They’ll have to get through a Los Angeles Kings team that is 6-3-1 in their last 10 and gearing up for another deep playoff run. 

Must be nice. 

How can the Jets possibly beat the Ki….wait a minute. What’s that? In the air! It’s a bird! No, it’s a plane!

It’s….Danish?

That’s right, its Nik ‘Cheese Danish’ Ehlers and he’s here to save the Winnipeg Jets. 

Or, at least, make them stink less. 

Let’s get the lineups.

NIKOLAJ EHLERS!!!

Sorry. I’m excited, okay?

Joel Armia also returns to the lineup tonight for the Jets, so some significant reinforcements have arrived at least. 

Adam Lowry came up big with a nice wrap-around goal in the third period that became the game-winner against the Canucks. 

Schiefele added an empty-netter, but other than that he has not recorded a point during this home-stand. He’s cooled off a bit since his crazy point streak. 

Nic Petan has played extremely well since being recalled. 

Chase De Leo and Scott Kosmachuck come out of the lineup, but have not been assigned to Manitoba and remain with the Jets.

Jets defense. That is all. 

Actually, I have to mention that Julian Melchiori had a very strong game after being recalled from the Moose. He’s earned another start tonight. 

After Pavelec played well and earned the shutout against the Canucks, he will most likely get the nod again tonight. 

In his two starts during this home-stand, he’s recorded a 2.00 GAA and a .938 save percentage. 

The Kings will be without forward Kris Versteeg tonight as he is out with an undisclosed injury. Tanner Pearson returns to the lineup after missing last game due to personal reasons. 

Anze Kopitar has been on a tear in the month of March. In 11 games played, he has 6 goals and 8 assists for 14 points. 

Usual suspects here for the Kings. 

Drew Doughty of course has been the anchor, recording a goal and an assist during their last two games while averaging just under 28 minutes of ice time. 

Alec Martinez has been chipping in as of late as well, scoring twice in the last three games. 

No starter has been confirmed for the Kings, but it would be right to assume that they will go with Quick. The Kings have lost their last two games so they know they need a win. 

After being named the NHL’s second star of the week last week, Quick has allowed 7 goals in less then 120 minutes of play in the last two starts. He was pulled in a 5-2 loss to the Nashville Predators then lost 2-1 to the Minnesota Wild.