The Winnipeg Jets had a rough couple of games down in Florida, ultimately going 1-2 on the three game road trip through the east. There is no need to panic about this team being “overrated” It was a couple of bad games after taking down the New York Rangers.  The Jets are still first in goals for and 5th in the NHL in goals against. If things carry on this route, yeah things could get bad but this a long season and I am still not worried about this team at this time.
If the Jets want to get the stink of “overrated” of their backs they will need to step up against one of the best teams in the NHL not allowing themselves to flounder during adversity. If the Jets can sustain the play they had in the first and last 10 minutes of the first game against Florida they should be fine tonight.
The Jets 5-0 loss is inexcusable but the score was a little closer than the score board said. The Jets were able to beat Sergei Bobrovsky but the posts came in to save the day three times. The Jets were overwhelmed by those posts and were getting beat on small mistakes.
If you are worried about the Jets dropping two, the Panthers lost their last two games prior to the Jets against the New Jersey Devils. Good teams lose sometimes.
But hey don’t worry about one game from Bobrovsky history tells us that he has a record of 6-10-2 in 20 games with a goals against average of 3.37 and a save percentage of .890 versus the Jets in his career.The Russian goalie is having a little bit of down start after winning the Stanley Cup with a 2.89 goals against average and an .897.
Connor Hellebuyck will get back between the pipe after allowing 5 on Saturday night. The Jets goalie has an 8-4-0 record in 12 games with a goals against average of 3.06 and a save percentage of .912 versus the Panthers in his career. Even with the bad game on Saturday night he still has a 2.14 goals against average, and a .926 save percentage.
Interestingly the Jets will run it back to the same lines against Florida, I thought we would see a little change up after a brutal loss.
Vladislav Namestnikov has been scoring at an unholy 23.8% this season. There is no way he keeps that number up all season his career average is 12.5% and in his time with the Jets just 11.8%. He hasn’t a had a lot of luck against Florida, scoring just 10 goals, 6 assists and a plus-minus of -3 in 35 games against the Panthers in his career.
Puck drop is set for 7:00 pm CT from downtown Winnipeg you can catch the game on TSN3, 680 CJOB and Power 97.
Connor-Scheifele-Vilardi
Perfetti-Namestnikov-Ehlers
Niederreiter-Lowry-Appleton
Barron-Kupari-Iafallo
Morrissey-DeMelo
Samberg-Pionk
Fleury -Miller
Hellebuyck
Comrie