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Winnipeg Jets: A look at the month of January, 2018

By Sam Melnyk

EDMONTON, AB - DECEMBER 31: Kyle Connor
EDMONTON, AB - DECEMBER 31: Kyle Connor /
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In this article, we will take a look at what the Winnipeg Jets can expect for January, including basic information, and games to watch.

Winnipeg Jets Review

Initially, January doesn’t look like that tough of a month for the Winnipeg Jets with 7 of 11 games against teams currently sitting outside the playoffs.  However, four games are against teams within three points of the wild card spot including the Avalanche, Blackhawks, Flames, and Wild.  These teams will be battling to get over that wildcard line, so the Jets can expect some stiff competition for those games.

To make matters worse the Jets will be without Mark Scheifele for all of January.  Byfuglien should be back early January, with Enstrom not too far behind to help them out on the defence core.

The majority of January’s games are away from the Bell MTS centre where the jets have a middling 9-8-5 record.  A three-game road trip starting January 9th starting with the Buffalo Sabres followed by back-to-back games against the Blackhawks and Wild will likely be the most challenging series of games.  The Jets have a comfortable lead over the Blackhawks and Wild there is still plenty of time left in the season for things to go pear-shaped.

Game to Watch

There are several games this month that could be considered the “Game to watch”.  On January 5th Evander Kane returns to Winnipeg.  On January 31st, the Jets host the league-leading Lightning in what surely will be a close fought match, the last game being a 4-3 OT loss for the Jets.

However, my pick will have to be the January 12th game versus the Blackhawks; games between these two teams are almost always exciting.  The last game saw the Blackhawks score 3 goals in the first on the way to a 5-1 win over the Jets.

Summary

  • Number of Games: 11
  • Home vs Away: 4 at home vs. 7 away
  • Central Division Rivals: 3 – Avalanche, Blackhawks, Wild
  • Number of Games Against Playoff Teams:  4 – Sharks(x2), Wild, Lightning
  • Back-to-Backs: 2

January Prediction:  5-4-2

  • Jan 2nd, Jets @ Avalanche: OT loss – The Jets always seem to have trouble with the Avs.
  • Jan 5th, Sabres @ Jets: Win – At second last, the Sabres should be an easy two points (though you can never be too sure).
  • Jan 7th, Sharks @ Jets: Win – The Sharks are tough, but the Jets have home ice.

    • Jan 9th, Jets @ Sabres: Loss –

    There is something about the bottom barrel teams that sometimes the Jets fail to capitalize on.

    More from Analysis

  • Jan 12th, Jets @ Blackhawks: Loss – The Blackhawks were hard to score on last time. Without Sheifele this will be a hard game.
  • Jan 13th, Jets @ Wild: Loss – After a long week I expect the Jets will look slow in the second half of this back to back.
  • Jan 20th, Jets @ Flames: Win – The Jets are the better team.
  • Jan 21st, Canucks @ Jets: Win – Again, the Jets are the better team.
  • Jan 23rd, Jets @ Sharks: OT loss – The Sharks are a tough team and have 1 win against the Jets this season.
  • Jan 25th, Jets @ Ducks: Win  – The Ducks just haven’t been as sharp this year, plus we have Chiarot to scare off Perry.
  • Jan 30th, Lightning @ Jets: Loss – The Lightning are just too good. The Jets can only hope Winnipeg weather freezes Stamkos and company in their tracks.

    • Next: Winnipeg Jets: Review of 2017

    That’s my take on January.  What are your thoughts about the Winnipeg Jets schedule and outlook for the month?  Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below, and thanks for reading. Go Jets!

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