Winnipeg Jets Look to Put Pressure on Red Wings
There’s no worse team in the NHL than the Detroit Red Wings right now and it is not getting better against the Winnipeg Jets. They’ve won just seven times in 31 games this season. They are a whopping six points behind the second-worst club. The squad is also in the midst of an 11-game losing streak. The Wings hit the road for the first of a home-and-home against the Winnipeg Jets tonight. The Jets are starting to heat up and this one is shaping up to be a lopsided contest unless the Red Wings turn an about face.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, TSN3 (Winnipeg); LINE: Winnipeg -245; O/U: 6.5 Under -120
It no secret that the Wings are pitiful at both ends of the ice. The Red Wings allow nearly four goals per game against with a 3.97 average. They score just 2.13 goals on average. That’s resulted in a mind-boggling minus-57 goal differential through 31 games. One thing you can say is it’s not for a lack of trying from their young team. Detroit is led by Tyler Bertuzzi who has 10 goals and 15 assists. The team doesn’t have the depth or high-end talent needed to win in the NHL at this point on a consistent basis.
The Jets have won seven of their last 10 games and are going to do their best to continue the Wings’ nightmare. Winnipeg is coming off of a 3-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday. The Jets will attempt to make it two wins in a row and close the gap in the Western Conference’s Central Division.
This, That, and a Dart Throw
Mark Scheifele was the Winnipeg Jets’ first draft pick after the franchise relocated from Atlanta in 2011. Their long-time center continues sparking his team’s run of recent success entering tonight’s contest. Scheifele recorded his 400th career point at a critical time Sunday, scoring from the slot with 4:22 to play to lift Winnipeg past Anaheim 3-2 and give the Jets a 12-3-2 record since Nov. 1.
“You get him in the scoring zone, he’s one of the best there is,” Winnipeg coach Paul Maurice told reporters post-game in describing Scheifele. He scored twice Sunday to give him 16 points (nine goals) in his past 17 games.
While the Jets continue to climb in the Central Division standings, the Red Wings began the week with an NHL-worst 17 points on the season and on an 0-9-2 streak following Saturday’s 5-3 home setback against Pittsburgh. Detroit expects forward Justin Abdelkader to return Tuesday after missing 12 games with an upper-body injury. Forward and leading scorer Tyler Bertuzzi practiced Sunday after blocking a shot late in Saturday’s contest.
“If we’re going to win games, we’re going to have to win games 3-2 and 2-1, and find ways to score dirty goals around the net,” Red Wings defenseman Alex Biega told reporters after Saturday’s game. “I think we’re recognizing that, and we’ve done a better job as of late.”
The Red Wings are 7-19-2 on the season. Bertuzzi picked up an assist against Pittsburgh but was slow to get up while protecting an empty net. Detroit rallied from three goals down to get within one goal before allowing an empty-net tally with nine seconds left. Center Dylan Larkin and forward Robby Fabbri each registered a goal and an assist Saturday. That extended Larkin’s point streak to three games. Goaltender Jonathan Bernier allowed four goals on 23 shots before being pulled. That dropped him to 0-5-1 in his past seven appearances while giving up an amazing 25 goals in that span.
Winnipeg is 18-10-2 on the season. Forward Kyle Connor assisted on Scheifele’s first goal Sunday. That gives him 13 points (five goals) in his past 11 games and five points (one goal) in his past three contests. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck started the week tied for the league lead with 15 wins. He stopped 31-of-33 shots Sunday improved to 5-0-1 in his past six games with seven goals surrendered and a .957 save percentage. Defenseman Neal Pionk registered an assist Sunday to give him four points (three assists) in his past six contests.
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The Dart Throw: Jets 4, Red Wings 2
NHL Trends
Winnipeg Jets
- Trend Over is 11-5-1 in Jets last 17 games as a home favorite of -151 to -200. Hit % 68.80% (17) O/U 11|5 Push 1 W/L
- Under is 7-1-1 in Jets last 9 games as a favorite of -110 to -150. 87.50% (9) 1|7 1
- Over is 10-2-4 in Jets last 16 games a home underdog of +110 to +150. 83.30% (16) 10|2 4
- Under is 7-1-1 in Jets last 9 games as a home favorite of -110 to -150. 87.50% (9) 1|7 1
Detroit Red Wings
- Trend Over is 24-9-1 in Red Wings last 34 games as a road underdog of +201 or greater. Hit % 72.70% (34) O/U 24|9 Push 1 W/L
- Over is 3-1-1 in Red Wings last 5 games as a favorite of -110 to -150. 75.00% (5) 1|7 1
- Under is 3-1-2 in Red Wings last 6 games as a favorite of -201 or greater. 75.00% (6) 1|3 2
- Under is 15-5-2 in Red Wings last 22 games as a road underdog of +110 to +150. 75.00% (22) 5|15 2
Red Wings vs Jets Meetings Trends
- Trend Over is 15-6 in the last 21 meetings. Hit % 71.40% (21) O/U 15|6 Push 0 W/L
- Over is 9-2 in the last 11 meetings in Winnipeg. 81.80% (11) 9|2 0
- Red Wings are 2-5 in the last 7 meetings in Winnipeg. 28.60% (7) 0 2|5
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