Winnipeg Jets vs. Boston Bruins Jets Eye Fifth Straight Win
Winnipeg Jets vs. Boston Bruins Preview: Can the Jets Continue Their Dominance?
On Thursday evening, the Winnipeg Jets (35-14-3) will square off against the Boston Bruins (25-21-5-1) in a crucial inter-conference clash. The Jets are flying high atop the Central Division and will look to extend their strong form, while the Bruins aim to stay within striking distance of a playoff spot. Winnipeg heads into the matchup after a 4-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens, while Boston is trying to recover from a demoralizing 7-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres.
Winnipeg Jets: Aiming for Fifth Consecutive Victory
The Winnipeg Jets have been on fire lately, with four wins in their past five games, including a solid 4-2 road victory over Montreal on Tuesday. With 35 wins and a commanding lead of eight points over the Dallas Stars, the Jets are firmly entrenched in the playoff picture. Their 3.5 goals per game rank second in the NHL, while their stingy defense allows just 2.4 goals per game, placing them third in the league in that category.
A key to their success has been the stellar play of goalie Connor Hellebuyck. The 30-year-old netminder boasts a remarkable 2.00 GAA, .927 save percentage, and a 31-7-2 record. His consistency between the pipes has given the Jets the confidence to push for a top seed in the Western Conference.
Offensively, Kyle Connor has been in excellent form, collecting 15 points this month and extending his season total to 65. Meanwhile, Mark Scheifele continues to be a key contributor, with 57 points on the year. Defenseman Josh Morrissey is another standout, recording 43 points and playing an average of 24 minutes per game. Nino Niederreiter has also been solid with six points this month, helping to provide depth across the lineup.
The Jets’ balanced attack and solid goaltending make them formidable opponents, and they will look to build on their dominant 8-1 win over the Bruins in their previous meeting back in November.
Boston Bruins: Fighting for a Playoff Spot
The Boston Bruins are struggling to find consistency but still occupy the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Boston has won three of its past five games, but a 7-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday has raised some concerns about their defensive play. The Bruins have allowed an average of 3.2 goals per game this season, ranking 25th in the NHL, and will need to shore up their defense if they are to compete for a playoff berth.
David Pastrnak remains the star of the show for the Bruins, contributing 23 points in January alone and a total of 60 points on the season. However, the absence of defenseman Charlie McAvoy (on IR) has been a significant blow to Boston’s defense. McAvoy averages 24 minutes of ice time and is a key part of the team’s blue line. Additionally, Brandon Carlo is listed as questionable for this matchup due to an illness.
In net, Jeremy Swayman has been the Bruins’ go-to goalie, but he has had an inconsistent season, posting a 3.03 GAA and an .895 save percentage. Backup Jonas Korpisalo has seen more playing time lately, with a 2.70 GAA and an .899 save percentage, though he has not been able to stabilize the Bruins’ defense.
With an average of just 2.6 goals per game (26th in the NHL), Boston’s offense needs to step up. The Bruins will need a strong showing from Pastrnak and their supporting cast to keep pace with the high-flying Jets.
Conclusion
The Winnipeg Jets come into this matchup as the clear favorites, with a solid all-around game backed by one of the best goalies in the league. Their offensive depth, led by Connor and Scheifele, combined with a staunch defense, gives them the edge over a Bruins team that has struggled both offensively and defensively.
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