ST. LOUIS - A three-game road trip concludes tonight for the Winnipeg Jets as they take on the St. Louis Blues for the second time this season.
The Jets (5-4-2) won the first meeting of the season between the two Central Division clubs by a score of 4-2 back in October. Tonight, both teams come in with some momentum, as the Jets earned a 5-3 comeback win over the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday, while the Blues (5-4-1) have won two straight games.
No changes are expected when it comes to the Jets line-up, as Connor Hellebuyck went through his regular routine for starting in goal.
Tonight marks the second of four straight games against the Central Division. Winnipeg is 2-0-0 against divisional opponents this season with wins over St. Louis and Arizona. Tuesday's game offers an opportunity to continue that success, but also close out the road trip with a winning record.
"They’re sitting right behind us in the standings and no better way of putting distance between you is by beating them," said associate coach Scott Arniel. "We had success in our building against them and we know they’ll be a little better tonight. Arizona was a 20-man effort, and we’re going to need it again tonight."
Kyle Connor has 26 points in 21 career games against St. Louis, including the eventual game-winner on October 26 at Canada Life Centre. He knows the Blues will be a handful in their own building, where they're 4-1-0 so far this season.
"They have a lot of speed up front. Even on the back end too, their D jump up," Connor said. "So we have to be aware. We have to have good fourth or fifth guys coming back looking for that second lane. They do like to pull up a lot and hold onto pucks. We have to be aware of that defensively."
Arniel points to the last two victories by St. Louis - over New Jersey and Montreal - as an example of how the Blues have improved even over the last five games or so.
"Any team early, especially in the first 10-12 games, you’re trying to find your rhythm, trying to implement new systems and new players. I think these guys are starting to get themselves back up to speed," Arniel said.
"They’re going to be hard to play against in this building. We have to make sure we build off what we did in Arizona."
POWER PLAY TURNING THE CORNER
With goals in two straight games, the Jets power play - currently 23rd in the NHL at 14.3 percent - seems to be picking up some steam.
"We feel some momentum coming. Overall, we were taking strides even before we had that goal," said Connor. "We’ve been working really hard, our breakouts have been a lot better, getting in zone, a lot more possession. It’s one of those things that you get a ton of chances, you can’t let the confidence waiver if you don’t put one in. You know in the long run it’s going to come."
As the player that primarily plays the point on the power play, Josh Morrissey says the net front presence provided by Alex Iafallo (who scored in Vegas on the man advantage) and Nino Niederreiter (who had a power play marker as part of a hat trick in Arizona) can't be understated.
"It’s such vital part of the power play. It’s probably the least heralded part of the power play," Morrissey said. "Guys that are really good in that area end up getting a lot of goals and being part of a lot of goals as well. You talk to goalies, just being there and moving the right way, getting in their eyes, it makes such a big difference. What might be a harmless shot all of a sudden is dangerous."
LINE RUSHES
No changes are expected to the Jets line-up tonight, with Connor Hellebuyck getting his third straight start on the trip.
Connor-Scheifele-Iafallo
Perfetti-Namestnikov-Ehlers
Niederreiter-Lowry-Appleton
Barron-Kupari-Gustafsson
Morrissey-DeMelo
Dillon-Pionk
Samberg-Schmidt
BIG GAME DILLON
Brenden Dillon may be known more for his physical play and fearless shot blocking on the penalty kill, but it was his offensive game that led to a couple career milestones against Arizona.
That game, a 5-3 Jets win, was the first time Dillon had ever recorded a two-goal game in the NHL, and it was also his first career three-point game.
"That was great. He’s been playing awesome all year and hadn’t really been rewarded for it yet. It was huge to see him have a night like that," said Morrissey.
"As a back end, we’re pumped up for Dilly. He’s a veteran guy on our back end and everyone that watches him knows he plays the game hard, plays the game with integrity, he’s physical, and he stands up for his teammates. It’s underrated that he moves the puck really well."
-- Mitchell Clinton, WinnipegJets.com
