JNGD.78 Flight Plan: Jets Aim to Tune Up Against Leafs
6 years ago
Today marks what could be a potential matchup in the Stanley Cup Finals. The Jets face the Maple Leafs for the second and last time this season. Last time they played the Leafs won 7-2.
The next few games for the Jets are important because their magic number for clinching home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs is at 3.
Winnipeg Jets (47-20-10)
@
Toronto Maple Leafs (47-24-7)
March 31, 2018 – Puck drop: 6:00 PM CST
Air Canada Center – Toronto, ON.
TV: CBC, Sportsnet – Radio: TSN 1290
Recently for the Jets…
The Jets are coming off a 6-2 loss against the Blackhawks where they faced the backup of the backup’s backup. This was the Jets first loss in 6 games, so a flat night can happen once in a while.
Jacob Trouba will re-enter the lineup as well tonight which means Tucker Poolman will be out. Let’s hope Trouba can stay healthy for balance of the season.
Eric Comrie stayed the night in Chicago, giving Connor Hellebuyck the night off. Hellebuyck is getting the nod in net tonight, while Comrie will dress as backup. Michael Hutchinson is still putting in some work with the Manitoba Moose and could be back next week as could Steve Mason.
Recently for the Maple Leafs…
The Leafs played against the Islanders last night and beat the Islanders 5-4. The Leafs are the other Canadian team to make the playoffs.
Mitch Marner has 15 points in his last game and has really become another force for the Leafs.
What MapleLeafsNation is saying…
The Leafs are kinda in the same position the Jets are in… Playoffs clinched and their position is all but locked down, so what do they spend the last handful of games “playing for”? TLN asked that very question and Megan Kim is ready for them to tune up:
Use it as a tune-up. You know you’re in, now’s the time to tweak things here and there, AND you get the luxury of giving guys a rest if they need it. You want to be as healthy as possible going into the playoffs, and while we’re at it — get Freddie a breather too. You don’t want to limp into the playoffs obviously, but it’s not the worst idea to conserve energy here.
Recently between both teams…
The Jets have fared well against the Leafs in the past while. They are 8-1-2 against the Leafs. However, the Jets will look to make up for their 7-2 loss against Toronto with a win tonight.
Patrik Laine scored 5 goals against the Jets last year and will try to make that a trend tonight against the Leafs again.
Winnipeg Jets Lines
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
 KYLE CONNOR Rating: 77.5#16 LW |  MARK SCHEIFELE Rating: 81.3#11 C |  BLAKE WHEELER Rating: 82.6#3 RW |
 NIKOLAJ EHLERS Rating: 77.5#17 LW |  PAUL STASTNY Rating: 75.1#53 C |  PATRIK LAINE Rating: 84.5#2 RW |
 MATHIEU PERREAULT Rating: 76.2#44 LW |  ANDREW COPP Rating: 70.9#164 C |  BRYAN LITTLE Rating: 74.9#57 RW |
 BRANDON TANEV Rating: 71.2#91 LW |  ADAM LOWRY Rating: 74.2#41 C |  JOEL ARMIA Rating: 72.8#48 RW |
| DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS | |
|---|---|
 JOSH MORRISSEY Rating: 73.8#70 LD |  TYLER MYERS Rating: 75.4#47 RD |
 BEN CHIAROT Rating: 72.2#127 LD |  DUSTIN BYFUGLIEN Rating: 80.2#12 RD |
 TUCKER POOLMAN Rating: 71.9#147 LD |  JOE MORROW Rating: 72.7#108 RD |
| GOALIES | |
|---|---|
 CONNOR HELLEBUYCK Rating: 73.6#24 G1 |  ERIC COMRIE Rating: 71.1#44 G2 |
Toronto Maple Leafs Lines
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
 ZACH HYMAN Rating: 72.5#108 LW |  AUSTON MATTHEWS Rating: 82.1#7 C |  WILLIAM NYLANDER Rating: 77.4#15 RW |
 PATRICK MARLEAU Rating: 74.5#36 LW |  NAZEM KADRI Rating: 78.2#29 C |  MITCH MARNER Rating: 75.7#49 RW |
 JAMES VAN RIEMSDYK Rating: 79.0#10 LW |  TYLER BOZAK Rating: 73.7#77 C |  CONNOR BROWN Rating: 71.1#71 RW |
 ANDREAS JOHNSSON Rating: 72.7#55 LW |  DOMINIC MOORE Rating: 69.8#187 C |  KASPERI KAPANEN Rating: 71.6#60 RW |
| DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS | |
|---|---|
 MORGAN RIELLY Rating: 77.0#35 LD |  RON HAINSEY Rating: 72.5#118 RD |
 JAKE GARDINER Rating: 76.4#38 LD |  NIKITA ZAITSEV Rating: 72.9#103 RD |
 TRAVIS DERMOTT Rating: 74.0#67 LD |  CONNOR CARRICK Rating: 72.3#123 RD |
 FREDERIK ANDERSEN Rating: 75.8#10 G1 |  CURTIS MCELHINNEY Rating: 69.0#58 G2 |
Gameday Prediction
I think the Jets feel completely different than at the start of the season. The Leafs have similar depth as the Jets, but I still think the Jets prevail in the amount of offensive firepower they have. Jets win 5-4.
The Pint is your home for all things game day!
We have away game specials starting 1 hour before puck drop, during the game
& 1 hour after the final whistle goes.
& 1 hour after the final whistle goes.
Enjoy 1/2 priced wings and $3.99 mugs of Bud and Bud Light!
Recent articles from Cam Farquharson
