Jets Kick Off Four Game Road Trip On Long Island
The Winnipeg Jets have lost their last two games following their 11-game win streak and will attempt to get back in the win column as they begin a four-game road trip against the New York Islanders.
New York Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech (3) is checked by Winnipeg Jets right wing Nino Niederreiter (62) in the third period at Canada Life Centre. Mandatory Credit: James Carey Lauder-Imagn ImagesOffence has been tough to come by for the Jets, scoring two or fewer goals in three of their previous four games and it won't be much easier tonight. The Islanders aren't the dominant defensive team they were under Barry Trotz's command but they can still be a stingy team to play against.
Noah Dobson returned to the lineup on Feb. 27, but the team remains without Mathew Barzal, Mike Reilly and Semyon Varlamov.
The Jets will be without one of their top performers this year, Dylan Samberg, as he's currently away from the organization for "family reasons," but is expected to rejoin the team when they arrive in Philadelphia on Wednesday.
Kyle Connor has scored 31 goals this year, but he's recorded just one tally since returning from the 4 Nations Face-Off. He's still been able to keep his shot volume high and register assists, but he'll be looking for his puck luck to change sometime soon.
Connor Hellebuyck will start tonight for the Jets, and the 31-year-old has allowed just one goal in each of his previous three starts. He'll likely battle Jakub Skarek, a 25-year-old Czech goaltender. Ilya Sorokin started against the New York Rangers last night where they came out on the losing side.
The Jets are still comfortably sitting atop the Central Division and Western Conference but will likely want to put an end to their recent losing ways.
Puck drop is at 6:30 PM CST at UBS Arena.
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