The Need to Knows
- Time: 5pm PT
- Place: Canada Life Centre, Winnipeg, MB
- Where to Watch: ROOT Sports NW, ESPN+/SportsNet+
- Where to Listen: KJR 93.3 FM
- An Opposing Viewpoint: Arctic Ice Hockey
Know Your Enemy
Things didn’t end well last time these two met. Namely, Seattle fell in a 3-0 shutout loss, a collision that sent each team rocketing towards polar opposite futures: losing to Winnipeg kickstarted a season-ending eight-game losing skid heralding some of the Kraken’s worst performances of the season, while the Jets stayed the path to their second consecutive postseason berth under head coach Rick Bowness.
Fans should be well acquainted with the offensive dominance Winnipeg brings to the table, given they watched Seattle complete the tall order that was beating it and sat helplessly as their team was pummeled by it all the same. Despite the varying outcomes, however, the Kraken have never controlled shot quality against the Jets, averaging 36.39% over two games. In fact, two games in November and December of last season were the only times they ever have (51.02% in a 3-2 L, and 70.30% in a 3-2 W).
With three forwards and a defenseman notching over 50 points this season, Winnipeg’s attack will be coming from all angles. Defensively, Seattle has enough skill to handle the pressure, but with effort coming and going, it’s hard to say whether they’ll actually stick to the systems that’ll help them win.
Game Notes
Winnipeg is fresh off a– brace yourselves– 7-0 win over the Colorado Avalanche. While the offensive dominance is more than present in that score, underlying numbers indicate the difference in quality is not as stark as one might think: xG were 3.59-3.10 WPG in all situations. There’s room to exploit them defensively but it won’t come from injury. The only Jet out with injury is forward Nino Niederreiter.
Vince Dunn, however, did not make the road trip and is effectively shut down for the season. Seattle’s defensive corps is strong, but not at its best. Averaging a goal per game over the last three, however, a lack of offense is a larger threat to their immediate success.
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