The Winnipeg Jets And the Dallas Stars Playoff Preview Game
The Winnipeg Jets have just seven games remaining on their schedule. I’m ready for the season to be over. And since they locked up a spot in the playoffs, let’s do it.
The Winnipeg Jets will take on the Dallas Stars later this evening. They will also most likely take them on in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, so it’ll be a nice preview game.
The Jets are 1-2 against Dallas in the regular season, losing 5-1 in the second game of the season, beating them by the same score in early January and falling 4-2 just a couple weeks later.
It would be nice to tie up the season series, I’d rather not see this team go into the playoffs against someone they’re 1-3 against.
They did win the lone home contest, and tonight’s is in Manitoba, so we’ll see. The Jets would have home ice in the playoffs, should these teams meet.
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Dustin Byfuglien has started skating in a non-contact jersey, so it looks as if he’ll be ready come playoff time. He obviously won’t be participating in tonight’s game, though.
Connor Hellebuyck started all three games against Dallas and allowed ten goals in 101 shots, which is, well, you do the math there. But he’s been on a tear as of late, with a .960% save percentage in his last five games (four starts) and two shutouts.
Nothing has given me more confidence in the Winnipeg Jets than Hellebuyck’s return to form. We haven’t seen him look like this all season, and if he can keep it going through the playoffs, well, the Jets have a great chance to do some damage.
Being a team destined for a playoff spot can make the season feel like a bit of a grind, and with the Jets struggles in the second half and overall length of the season, I’m ready for the playoffs.
The regular season isn’t too long but it sure seems like it is. And nobody will remember the Jets struggles in the regular season if they make hay in the playoffs. Dallas won’t be an easy matchup, even in the first round, but these teams haven’t played in over two months.
It’ll be a good litmus test to see where they’re at against one another before the games start for real in a couple weeks.
The team isn’t perfect, though, so I’d like to see Josh Morrissey get healthy, first and foremost. Laurent Brossoit is hurt but I’m not overly concerned about that. Patrik Laine has had a rough season, and while I don’t expect him to suddenly be good in the playoffs, it would be nice if he could have some confidence going in.
Next. Jet Clinch Playoff Berth. dark
Let’s just hope the Jets can keep the top spot in the Central these next couple of weeks, and that nobody gets hurt. The real season is almost upon us.