Winnipeg Jets Gameday: Howling At The Moon In Arizona
By Trin Potratz
The Winnipeg Jets (8-4-3) won’t have much time to lick their wounds from yesterday’s loss to the Vegas Golden Knights as they face off against the league-worst Arizona Coyotes (2-13-3).
The game starts at 9PM CT and will conclude the Jets’ three-game road trip.
JETS LINEUP
Kyle Connor-Mark Scheifele-Blake Wheeler
Nikolaj Ehlers-Bryan Little-Patrik Laine
Andrew Copp-Adam Lowry-Brandon Tanev
Shawn Matthias-Matt Hendricks-Joel Armia
Josh Morrissey-Jacob Trouba
Toby Enstrom-Dustin Byfuglien
Dmitry Kulikov-Tyler Myers
COYOTES LINEUP
Max Domi-Derek Stepan-Clayton Keller
Tobias Rieder-Christian Dvorak-Christian Fischer
Jordan Martinook-Brad Richardson-Nick Cousins
Brendan Perlini-Mario Kempe-Zac Rinaldo
Oliver Ekman-Larsson-Jason Demers
Alex Goligoski-Dakota Mermis
Kevin Connauton-Luke Schenn
THE JETS LATELY
The Winnipeg Jets were flying high, closing in on the division lead when they were dealt a horrific 5-2 loss at the hands of the expansion Vegas Golden Knights.
Adam Lowry scored his first goal of the season in his third game back from injury, while Patrik Laine also buried. Laine has now scored in the past four games.
Connor Hellebuyck was between the pipes and the loss was his first in regulation. He was pulled in favour of Steve Mason last night.
MATCHUP
The Jets and Coyotes will always be connected, as the Yotes were once the Winnipeg Jets themselves. The two teams will meet up again on Tuesday, this time in Winnipeg.
The Coyotes are sitting at the bottom of the NHL standings, having only won two games all season.
The Yotes have started to play better hockey of late, but wins continue to elude them. They played the Central Division-leading St. Louis Blues to a 2-2 tie in regulation only to fall in the shootout.
The Coyotes are without defenceman Niklas Hjalmarsson and Jakob Chychrun, while the Jets are still without Mathieu Perreault. Josh Morrissey left last night’s game in the third period and is a game-time decision tonight. If he does not play, expect Ben Chiarot to draw in.
Steve Mason gets his first start for the Jets since October 27, while it’s expected the Coyotes counter with Antti Raanta.
PREDICTION FOR TONIGHT
After failing miserably and picking the Jets to walk all over the Golden Knights, I need to get myself back in the win column. I totally expect the same from the Jets. Steve Mason gets his first win as a Winnipeg Jet in a 3-2 overtime victory. Dustin Byfuglien and Patrik Laine score in regulation, while Kyle Connor nets the OT winner.