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Winnipeg Jets Game #47: Fight the Flames

By RJ Beaulieu |
CALGARY, AB - DECEMBER 10: Calgary Flames Center Sam Bennett (93) gets in position in front of Winnipeg Jets Center Mathieu Perreault (85) during a game between the Calgary Flames and the Winnipeg Jets on December 10, at the Scotiabank Saddledome, in Calgary AB. (Photo by Jose Quiroz/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CALGARY, AB - DECEMBER 10: Calgary Flames Center Sam Bennett (93) gets in position in front of Winnipeg Jets Center Mathieu Perreault (85) during a game between the Calgary Flames and the Winnipeg Jets on December 10, at the Scotiabank Saddledome, in Calgary AB. (Photo by Jose Quiroz/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Winnipeg Jets head out to Calgary to face the Flames who are red hot in more than just name.

Winnipeg returns from their bye-week to face the Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome in a Saturday matinée match-up. The Jets are looking to shake off the rust and get back to form after dropping their last two contests in Minnesota and Chicago. The Flames have won their last seven contests and are looking to ride that momentum in their three-game homestand.

The Winnipeg Jets (59) are now one point behind central division leader Nashville. The central is getting tight with Nashville (60), St. Louis (59), Winnipeg (59), and Dallas (56) all separated by only 4 points. The comfortable lead the Jets had at the top of the division has quickly evaporated. The next week before the All-Star break will be key to Winnipeg’s position in the central. A string of losses could quickly drop the Jets into wild card territory.

WINNIPEG, MB – JANUARY 5: Head Coach Paul Maurice of the Winnipeg Jets keeps an eye on the third period play against the Buffalo Sabres from the bench at the Bell MTS Place on January 5, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, MB – JANUARY 5: Head Coach Paul Maurice of the Winnipeg Jets keeps an eye on the third period play against the Buffalo Sabres from the bench at the Bell MTS Place on January 5, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images) /

The Flames are in a dogfight for second place in the Pacific division behind the west leading Las Vegas Golden Knights. Only 3 points separate Calgary (54), San Jose (54), Los Angeles (53), and Anaheim (51). It’s a tight race for a playoff spot. The Minnesota Wild (53) and Colorado Avalanche (53) are also in the fight for the last wild-card spot in the west. Points are at a premium and the Flames will look to keep their win streak alive in what could be a tight contest.

Injuries

For the Winnipeg Jets: Shawn Matthias, Adam Lowry, Mark Scheifele, Brandon Tanev, and Steve Mason will be out. At Friday’s practice, coach Paul Maurice gave status updates on the injured forwards and extended their timetable for return. Maurice also broke the news of Mason’s undisclosed illness turning out to be his second concussion in as many months. Michael Hutchinson and Jack Roslovic were recalled from the Manitoba Moose this morning to fill out the line-up.

https://twitter.com/NHLJets/status/954437755320373249

For the Calgary Flames: Michael Frolik (Jaw), Jaromir Jagr (Groin), and Kris Versteeg (hip) will be out. Sean Monahan was held out of their previous game due to the flu and it is undetermined if he will play on Saturday.

Three Things To Watch For

The Start – Winnipeg is coming off their bye-week and the Flames are finding some chemistry as of late. Expect a barrage by Calgary right from the start of the game. It will be key for the Jets to tighten up and weather the storm. This is a game that could be won early by the Flames if they can keep Winnipeg on their heels.

The Offense – For a Jets team fast being known for their offensive production, the last two games saw some sputtering engines. Minnesota and Chicago played Winnipeg tight defensively using man on man coverage and active sticks to disrupt passing. This proved effective in severely limiting the Jets offensive chances. Maurice and the team will have to look to get around that against a speedy Flames team that could inflict more of the same.

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The Goaltenders – Mike Smith has been solid in net for the Flames this season sporting a .924 Sv% and 2.42 GAA. The Jets will have to test him early and get some shots that he either cannot see or have to move east-west to face. Connor Hellebuyck has been the Jets best player as of late and will need to continue his stellar play to keep Winnipeg in it early. It will be interesting to see which of these two blinks first.

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