Winnipeg Jets: A round 3 battle in the shark tank
The Winnipeg Jets and Sharks meet for the third and final time of the regular season tonight in San Jose. The home team has always emerged the victor, but will the Jets be able to break the pattern?
When They Last Met
The last time these two teams met on January 7th the Winnipeg Jets made the Sharks into chum beating them to the tune of 4-1. The shots were close, with the Jets slightly edging out the Sharks 32 to 30. However, the difference maker was Connor Hellebyuck stopping 31 of those 32 shots with Logan Couture being the lone goal scorer on the power play for the Sharks. Mathieu Perreault had two goals and Matt Hendricks and Marko Dano each scored.
Afterwards, the Sharks released a video proclaiming “Winnipeg as the worst city to play in”. Given the fact that Winnipeg is tied for 3rd in the league for home wins who cares, complain all you want, what matters is the ‘W’.
Recently for the Jets
The Winnipeg Jets went into their bye week with a pair of losses to the Minnesota Wild and Chicago Blackhawks. However, after a week of rest, they squeaked out an OT win against the Flames who were also coming off their bye week.
This was followed up with a solid defensive 1-0 win against the Vancouver Canucks. While the Winnipeg Jets may be missing Sheifele’s scoring, they have certainly tightened up defensively the past couple games.
Recently for the San Jose Sharks
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Since the Sharks last played the Jets they have been on quite a tear, going 5-1-0. However, it is worth noting that two of those wins were OT wins against the Coyotes who are last in the West. The other two wins were against the Kings and Penguins, two bubble teams this year.
The Sharks most recently demolished the Ducks 6-2 with goals from five different players. Goalie Aaron Dell had a strong showing posting a 0.943 save percentage stopping 33 of 35 shots.
The Numbers
Winnipeg Jets Keys to the Game
- Play Fast and Hard: The last game the Winnipeg Jets came on strong and took the win. The Sharks lost to the Avalanche last week who have a similar game, something the Sharks just can’t seem to handle.
- Contain Couture: This season Logan Couture has 3 goals in two games against the Winnipeg Jets. If the Jets can keep him in check they have a better chance of coming out as the winners.
- Goal Tending: In the last game Hellebyuck was outstanding; a similar performance will likely be required tonight.
- Special Teams: Both the Jets and Sharks are dangerous on the power play, but the Sharks also have a strong penalty kill. If the Jets can stay out of the penalty box there is a good chance they can capitalize on the power play and come out ahead against the Sharks.
Next: Dustin Byfuglien’s Impact Goes Beyond Stat Sheet
Prediction
This season the home team has come out on top and I don’t think that is going to change. Add on the injuries to Mark Sheifele and Adam Lowry and the Jets are in for a tough night.
Prediction: 3-2 OT Sharks ☹