Playoff Push #63: Winnipeg Jets host St. Louis Blues

The Jets enter today’s game *still* holding onto the first Wild Card spot in the west with a 31-20-11 record. This is good enough for fourth in the Central Division and fifth in the Western Conference. Divisional rivals St. Louis Blues meanwhile carry a 38-18-4 record.

Jets won their last game in regulation and are 5-2-3 in their last ten. Stars also lost their last game, although in regulation, and are 5-5-0 over their last 10.

Lines provided by DailyFaceoff.com

New guy Jiri Tlusty joins the Jets on the second line. Michael Frolik takes Blake Wheeler’s spot on the top line and Eric O`Dell moves in on the third line. Adam Pardy for some odd reason is returned as a forward, which really makes no sense.

The Jets defensive core almost looks normal. Some may feel that Jay Harrison will be fine and pulled up by Dustin Byfuglien. Historically though Dustin Byfuglien was terrible with Mark Stuart, who is similar to Jay Harrison both stylistically and statistically.

Michael Hutchinson has taken the starting role. Hutchinson has a 18-7-4 record and a 0.918 save percentage.

The Blues have one of deepest teams in the NHL when it comes to scoring. Tarasenko leads the Blues with 31 goals and 60 points in 60 games.

Blues are short their highest scoring defender in Shattenkirk but their defensive core is still impressive.

Brian Elliott has been good. He and Steve Mason may be the rare exception in goaltenders not ever improving. He currently holds a record of 18-9-2 and 0.919 save percentage. 

Game Day Predictions: Jets always will be predicted to win. We are a Jets blog.

Obvious Predictions: Adam Pardy loses a foot race to Vladimir Tarasenko.

Not So Obvious Predictions: Adam Pardy loses a foot race to Ryan Reeves.

After a little while out of stock, the JN tracksuit shirt is back in the gear store (click link up top):

Shipping is free in Canada and partial proceeds goes to Earth Group.