It’s game day!
The Winnipeg Jets take flight tonight to face the Los Angeles Kings at the Canada Life Center in their home opener.
See how your Winnipeg Jets shape up tonight against the Los Angeles Kings.
Previous Game Recap & Statistics
I wasn’t able to catch the previous Jets game, but it was a wild home opener. A final score of 6-4 for Winnipeg was
First Period
The Winnipeg Jets opened the scoring early for their fans at the Canada Life Center as Mark Scheifele scored a powerplay goal. The Jets would spend the next 14 minutes of play before Florida’s Sam Reinhart would score a powerplay goal of his own.
Second Period
Florida opened the second period early with a goal by Evan Rodrigues. However, Kyle Connor didn’t allow for Florida’s lead to last long, scoring just ten seconds later to tie the game at two goals each. Not too long later, Morgan Barron would bring the lead back in favor of the Jets, scoring his first goal of the season. Dylan DeMelo would follow Barron’s lead just a minute later, scoring his first of the season.
Third Period
The third period was a slower start on the scoring front. However, Mark Scheifele and Matthew Tkachuk would drop the gloves for the Jets’ first fighting major of the season. Mason Appleton would open the scoring in the third period with a beautiful short-handed goal. There was an amazing assist from the Jets equipment staff to get Adam Lowry a stick quickly enough to feed Appleton the puck that led to the short-handed goal. Florida would ruin the Jets parade with two quick goals from Carter Verhaeghe and Evan Rodrigues. However, Kyle Connor scored an empty net power play goal to seal the Jets 6-4 victory over the Florida Panthers.
Notable Takeaways
- Gabriel Vilardi and Rasmus Kupari both recorded their first point as Winnipeg Jets. Vilardi Assisted on Kyle Connor’s goal, while Kupari recorded an assist on Morgan Barron’s goal.
- Bowness deployed his lines effectively and allowed his special team units to shine.
- The Jets bottom-six proved to be far more effective against Florida compared to the Calgary game.
- Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor look to be playing more freely.
- The Jets are looking tougher to play against in every aspect of the game.
Season Statistics Up Until Now
After Saturday’s victory against the Florida Panthers, Winnipeg now sits with a record of 1-1-0, leading them to place fifth in the central division. The Jets will look to improve their season to a winning record with a win over the Los Angeles Kings tonight.
Preview of Winnipeg Jets vs Los Angeles Kings
Tonight’s Projected Lineup
Kyle Connor – Mark Scheifele – Gabriel Vilardi
Nikolaj Ehlers – Cole Perfetti – Nino Niederreiter
Alex Iafallo – Adam Lowry – Mason Appleton
Morgan Barron – Rasmus Kupari – Vladislav Namestnikov
Josh Morrissey – Dylan DeMelo
Dylan Samberg – Neal Pionk
Brendan Dillon – Nate Schmidt
Laurent Brossoit & Connor Hellebuyck
Lineup Changes From Last Game & AHL Callups
There have been no AHL callups or lineup changes from the previous game.
Essential Things To Look For In Tonight’s Game
Dubois Playing Against His Former Team
This is a relatively simple thing to look for, Dubois is going to play with a chip on his shoulder against his former team. I don’t doubt for a second that he’s going to receive a negative welcome. Dubois quit on a second NHL team before turning 25 years of age, now the ball is in the fans court to give him a true welcome back after Dubois’ antics.
Ehlers Is Overdue For A Massive Breakout Game
Ehlers has had a rough start to things. He suffered an injury that kept him out the entire 2023 preseason and it looked like he was going to suffer another setback during the Jets season opener against Calgary. Thankfully, that was not the case and Ehlers was in the lineup for the Jets home opener against Florida. With Ehlers having a slower start, it is only a matter of time before he explodes and shows just why Bowness believes in his to be a top forward for the Jets.
LA Needs To Minimize How Many Penalties They Take
The Winnipeg Jets are strong on the power play so far. The Los Angeles Kings are strong on the penalty kill so far. Something needs to give; either it’s the Jets’ power play unit or the Kings’ penalty kill unit. However, Winnipeg is slowly hitting their groove on the power play. Bowness has assembled a strong power-play squad that is due to explode and be a top power-play squad in the league. If Los Angeles can minimize the opportunities that Winnipeg gets on the power play, they will keep the game closer than most think.
Which Winnipeg Jet Is Close To Career Milestones
There are a few career milestones that Winnipeg Jets players are getting close to. See the list below.
- Nikolaj Ehlers is four points away from 400 career points. He could achieve this tonight versus LA if he records a four-point game.
- Mark Scheifele is two points away from 650 career points. He could achieve this tonight versus LA if he records a two-point game.
- Mason Appleton is two assists away from 50 career assists. He could achieve this tonight versus LA if he records two assists tonight.
- Vladislav Namestnikov is four assists away from 150 career assists. He could achieve this tonight versus LA if he records four assists tonight.
- Brendan Dillon is three assists away from 150 career assists. He could achieve this tonight versus LA if he records three assists tonight.
- Declan Chisholm can record his first career NHL point if he scores a goal or records an assist in tonight’s game versus LA.
