The Winnipeg Jets (34-19-1), one of the league’s weakest power play offenses, head to face the Columbus Blue Jackets (16-34-4) and their stifling penalty killing defense at Nationwide Arena on Thursday. Winnipeg is kicking off a four-game road trip coming off a 3-2 shootout win over the Kraken on Tuesday, their third consecutive win.
The Jets conceded a power play goal while failing to take advantage of their own power play opportunities. Blake Wheeler and Pierre-Luc Dubois each scored once for the Jets.
David Rittich saved an impressive 27 of 29 shots (.931%) in the win. Columbus fell 3-2 to the Devils on Tuesday. Adam Boqvist and Johnny Gaudreau both scored once for the Blue Jackets. Boqvist added an assist to lead the team in scoring. Elvis Merzlikins saved only 29 of 32 shots against (.906%) in the loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Blue Jackets won the first meeting between the teams this season, a 4-1 victory in December. Gaudreau led Columbus with three points (0G 3A). Dubois scored Winnipeg’s only goal. Joonas Korpisalo got the win, saving 37 of 38 shots (.973%).
FACING OFF
Winnipeg is averaging 3.19 goals per game for the season, 16th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Blue Jackets team that is allowing 3.81 goals a game (30th).
Meanwhile, Columbus has found the net 2.52 times a game on average, 30th in the league, and won’t find goals any easier to come by against the Jets’ stout defense, which is holding opponents to 2.59 goals per game (3rd).
Columbus averages fewer shots per game (29.1) than most teams in the league, ranking 28th, while the team’s 8.7% shooting percentage is 31st. Winnipeg has been one of the league’s best shot-stopping teams, ranking No. 4 with a team save percentage of .921%.
The Blue Jackets’ 30th-ranked power play offense (16.20%) will be put to the test against the Jets, who are the league’s third-best penalty killing team (83.44%).
Winnipeg, meanwhile, has scored on 22.09% of their power play opportunities (13th), which the visiting team will be looking to build on against Columbus’ 21st-ranked 76.65% penalty killing rate.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 61 and 56 points this season, Kyle Connor and Josh Morrissey have been the top skaters for the Jets. Morrissey is among the league leaders with his 45 assists (8th). In the net, Connor Hellebuyck (25-15-1) is Winnipeg’s top goaltender.
He has a 2.41 GAA and a .924% save percentage, fourth-best in the league. Gaudreau leads the Blue Jackets in scoring with 51 points. He has 15 goals and 36 assists in 54 games. Korpisalo (8-10-3) has the best goals against average for Columbus at 3.33. He has a save percentage of .907%.
HOME AND AWAY
Winnipeg is 14-11-1 away from Canada Life Centre this season. Columbus is 11-17-2 at home this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Columbus Blue Jackets (+155)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
