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Winnipeg Jets: Game One of 82 Begins the Grind of the NHL Season

By Kyle McCarthy

WINNIPEG, MB - MAY 20: Bryan Little #18 of the Winnipeg Jets and Jonathan Marchessault #81 of the Vegas Golden Knights take the opening face-off of the second period in Game Five of the Western Conference Final during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell MTS Place on May 20, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The Knights defeated the Jets 2-1 and win the series 4-1. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, MB - MAY 20: Bryan Little #18 of the Winnipeg Jets and Jonathan Marchessault #81 of the Vegas Golden Knights take the opening face-off of the second period in Game Five of the Western Conference Final during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell MTS Place on May 20, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The Knights defeated the Jets 2-1 and win the series 4-1. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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The Winnipeg Jets begin the season tonight. Game one. It’s a long season, sure, but each game counts. And this is against a division rival.

The Winnipeg Jets are in St. Louis tonight. They open the season at the Enterprise Center, and hey, opening a season on the road is a good thing. It gives you two openers. Everyone’s excited about the first game, and then again at the home opener.

Next Tuesday, against the LA Kings, the Jets will open their arena for a game for the first time this season. The Blues finished fourth in the division but had 94 points last season.

They didn’t rest on their laurels, as they were one of the busiest teams in this offseason. Let’s start with the bad moves: Bringing back David Perron. I get it, I do. The third time he’s been with St. Louis, the only team he ever signed a contract for.

He’s just not that good. But Ryan O’Reilly and Tyler Bozak were big adds to this roster. They want to contend in this tough Central Division, and I don’t blame them. They’re a good, solid roster.

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They have been for years, and they don’t want to see time slip past them. The improvements of the Winnipeg Jets and Colorado Avalanche are making things tough on the Blues.

Let’s see what the Jets have to offer St. Louis tonight. As for things to watch for? I’m thinking Vladimir Tarasenko.

The best player on the ice for St. Louis. Zero question. He might not always play the best, but he can take over a game. He has a little Filip Forsberg in him, although I think he’s more talented. I want to see what O’Reilly and Bozak can do with the new team.

As for the Jets, the biggest thing I’m looking at is the debut of Kristian Vesalainen. Even more than what he can do, is how the Jets deploy him. Will he get on the second powerplay unit? How many minutes do they give him?

What does he look like on a line with Jack Roslovic? Oh, also, I’m interested in what Roslovic does this season. The Jets are counting on him, but is he up to the task? He better be. Winnipeg sure seems to think so, and they’ve earned some trust when it comes to development.

Also, I want to see how the Winnipeg Jets respond to last season’s tough ending. I know they want to get on the ice and show what they’re capable of. Which is a lot.  Let’s see what energy they bring tonight.

Winnipeg Jets Meet MLB Stars. dark. Next

Should I make a prediction? Sure. I’ll say 4-3 Jets. Big surprise. Patrik Laine scores twice.

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