Jets Host The First Place Capitals As They Look To Get Back Into The Win Column
The Winnipeg Jets will host the first-place Washington Capitals in their second meeting of the season.
Rasmus Kupari and Dylan Strome. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn ImagesThe Jets enter tonight's game off the back of a 5-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. It was a rough game for the Jets, generating 36 shots on goal but capitalizing on just three chances. Defensively, the Jets limited the Sabres to just 17 shots but many were high-danger chances.
The Capitals don't need to generate many shots to score goals, scoring on 13.3% of their shots this season, 1.1% higher than the second-place Jets.
The first meeting between these two teams was a high-scoring affair, with the Jets pulling out a 5-4 overtime win. Josh Morrissey was the hero that night, scoring twice, including the overtime winner. Neal Pionk recorded two assists that night, but they'll be without his services for the sixth consecutive game.
The Jets will also be without Gabriel Vilardi for the first time this season. He was announced week-to-week with an upper-body injury, according to HC Scott Arniel. His status for the playoffs is undetermined, but early reports indicate it could be in jeopardy.
Alex Ovechkin is quickly closing in on the goal-scoring record, scoring twice in his last four games. Connor Hellebuyck will be tasked with attempting to shut down the Russian sniper. Ovechkin got the best of Hellebuyck in the first, scoring the game-tying goal.
With Vilardi out, the Jets are making numerous changes to their lines. Rasmus Kupari will re-enter the lineup, while Alex Iafallo will move up to the top line. Nikolaj Ehlers will skate alongside Mason Appleton and Adam Lowry on the second line.
The defence pairings will remain the same, with Logan Stanley playing in his second consecutive game after replacing Haydn Fleury.
Puck drop is at 7:00 PM CST at Canada Life Centre.
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