Jets Enter Season with High Hopes as Oilers Aim to Avoid Slow Start
Winnipeg Jets Enter Season with High Hopes; Edmonton Oilers Aim to Avoid Slow Start
As the 2024 NHL season kicks off, the Winnipeg Jets (0-0-0) face off against the Edmonton Oilers (0-0-0) on Wednesday night at Rogers Place, with puck drop scheduled for 10 PM ET. Both teams are looking to set the tone for their seasons after mixed results in the previous playoffs.
Winnipeg Jets: High Expectations for 2024 Season
The Jets finished the 2023-24 campaign with an impressive 52-24-6 record, securing 110 points and finishing second in the Central Division. Despite their regular-season success, they suffered an early exit in the playoffs, losing to the Colorado Avalanche in the first round. With the goal of making a deeper playoff run this year, the Jets opted for continuity in their roster, retaining key players rather than making flashy offseason moves.
Offensively, Winnipeg was somewhat middle-of-the-pack last season, averaging 3.16 goals per game, ranking 15th in the league. Their power play efficiency was also subpar, converting only 18.8% of opportunities, good for 21st overall. Leading the offensive charge was Mark Scheifele, who tallied 72 points (25 goals, 47 assists), followed by Josh Morrissey (69 points) and Kyle Connor (61 points).
Defensively, the Jets excelled, allowing just 2.42 goals per game, making them the best in the league. Connor Hellebuyck was a key contributor, earning the William M. Jennings Trophy for the fewest goals allowed. His stats include a 2.39 GAA and a .921 save percentage across 60 games. This season, he will be supported by Eric Comrie, who returns after spending the last two years in Buffalo, following the loss of Laurent Brossoit to free agency.
Hellebuyck’s history against the Oilers is solid, as he holds a 13-13-3 record with a 3.16 GAA and a .904 save percentage in 29 games.
Edmonton Oilers: Aiming to Avoid Early Season Struggles
The Oilers, who finished the last season with a 49-27-6 record, are keen to avoid the slow start that plagued them previously, when they began the season 5-12-1. Despite that rocky start, Edmonton rallied to reach the Stanley Cup Finals, where they fell to the Florida Panthers in a hard-fought seven-game series. With hopes of a championship run, the Oilers have retained their core players while making minor adjustments, such as the signings of Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson.
Offensively, Edmonton was a powerhouse, averaging 3.56 goals per game, ranking fourth in the NHL. Their power play was also among the league’s best, converting 26.3% of chances, which was tied for fourth overall. Superstar Connor McDavid led the team with an astounding 132 points (32 goals, 100 assists), making history as the fourth player to record 100 assists in a single season. Leon Draisaitl added 106 points, while Evan Bouchard contributed significantly with 82 points.
On the defensive end, the Oilers performed well, allowing 2.88 goals per game, ranking 10th in the league. Stuart Skinner emerged as a reliable option in net, posting a 2.62 GAA and a .905 save percentage in 59 games. Skinner has a strong record against the Jets, boasting a 4-0-1 mark in six games, alongside a 2.01 GAA and a .932 save percentage.
Conclusion
As the Winnipeg Jets and Edmonton Oilers kick off their seasons, all eyes will be on how both teams perform in this critical matchup. The Jets are looking to capitalize on their strong defensive play and improved offensive consistency, while the Oilers aim to build on their playoff success from last year.
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