“Until you win a cup there are things you can improve on”: Game day 40 Winnipeg Jets vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Be sure to check Betway to check out the latest Jets game day odds and bet on the NHL! The Winnipeg Jets (26-9-4) have completed a successful mentors road trip, sweeping their opponents and maintaining their position as the first-place team in the NHL. They now return home to Canada Life Centre to face Johnny Gaudreau and the struggling Columbus Blue Jackets (13-19-9) in the first game of a 4-game home stretch. The upcoming home stretch will see them facing the Columbus Blue Jackets, Chicago Blackhawks, Philadelphia Flyers, and the New York Islanders.

The Jets aim to continue their winning streak after sweeping their games in San Jose, Anaheim, and Arizona while allowing 2 or fewer goals in each game.The Jets will looking to continue their 12 game point streak.

Although there are no expected lineup changes, during the road trip, Kyle Connor and David Gustafsson were seen skating in yellow non-contact jerseys, while Ville Heinola and Rasmus Kupari were in regular contact jerseys.

Columbus, in their past 10 games, holds a record of 3-3-4 and are coming off a 3-4 regulation loss to the Minnesota Wild last Saturday. Despite dealing with injuries to key players like former Winnipeg Jet Patrik Laine, who has a fractured clavicle, the Blue Jackets are expected to be eager to win. On a positive note, another former Jet, Jack Roslovic, who missed 4-6 weeks with a fractured ankle, is back and has played the last 5 games for the club.

As anticipated, Connor Hellebuyck will start in goal for the Jets tonight. During the mentors’ road trip, Hellebuyck only allowed 3 goals with an impressive .933 save percentage. Overall this season, he boasts a 20-6-3 record, a .921 save percentage, and a 2.27 goals-against average.

Elvis Merzlikins is the expected starter for the Blue Jackets. He has a brutal 7-8-6 record, a .907 save percentage and 3.25 goals against average. The 29-year-old goaltender has one win in his last five games and has a sub .900 save percentage in four of his last five.