The Winnipeg Jets (9-4-1), one of the league’s weakest power play offenses, play host to the Anaheim Ducks (5-10-1) and their suffocating penalty killing defense at Canada Life Centre on Thursday.
Anaheim is playing their first of four games on the road coming off a 3-2 overtime win over the Red Wings on Tuesday, ending a three-game losing streak. The Ducks committed four penalties in the game, conceding one power play goal.
John Klingberg, Ryan Strome, and Mason McTavish scored one apiece for the Ducks. Cam Fowler and Trevor Zegras both had two assists to lead the team in scoring. John Gibson saved an impressive 31 of 33 shots (.939%) in the win.
Winnipeg is back home for a four-game homestand after a 3-2 overtime win over the Kraken on Sunday. Mark Scheifele scored twice to lead the Jets. David Rittich only stopped 19 of 21 shots (.904%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The Jets won two of the three games between the teams last season, including a 4-3 victory in their final meeting in October. Nikolaj Ehlers (2G 1A) and Andrew Copp (1G 2A) each had three points to lead Winnipeg. Zegras and Sonny Milano each had two points (1G 1A) to lead Anaheim. Connor Hellebuyck got the win, saving 32 of 35 shots (.914%).
FACING OFF
Anaheim is averaging 2.69 goals per game for the season, 26th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Jets team that is allowing only 2.36 goals a game (2nd). Meanwhile, Winnipeg has found the net 3.07 times a game on average, 17th in the league, and the Ducks are allowing opponents to score 4.31 goals per game (31st).
Don’t be surprised to see a few power play opportunities for the Jets, as the Ducks are averaging 5.44 penalties per game, most in the NHL. The visitors’ 14.81 penalty minutes a game ranks second-highest. The home team has been penalized 3.43 times a game (5th-fewest in the league) for an average of 7.43 minutes (5th-fewest).
The Ducks’ 32nd-ranked power play offense (10.87%) will be put to the test against the Jets, who are the league’s fifth-best penalty killing team (83.78%).
Winnipeg, meanwhile, has scored on 20.00% of their power play opportunities (18th), which the hosts will be looking to add to against Anaheim’s 31st-ranked 65.00% penalty killing rate.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 19 points this season, Troy Terry is the top skater for the Ducks. He has six goals and 13 assists in 16 games. In the net, Anthony Stolarz (2-2-0) is Anaheim’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 3.74 GAA and a .896% save percentage. Gibson (2-8-1) leads the Ducks in games played in goal.
He has a GAA of 4.47 and a save percentage of .888%.Josh Morrissey leads the Jets in scoring with 15 points. He has one goal and 14 assists (10th). Hellebuyck (7-3-1) is the top goalie for Winnipeg with a goals against average of 2.08, third-best in the league. He has a save percentage of .935%, fourth-best.
HOME AND AWAY
Anaheim is 2-6-1 on the road this season. Winnipeg has won four in a row at home this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Anaheim Ducks (+170)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
