GAMEDAY: Kings at Jets

WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Jets snapped a three-game losing streak on Tuesday night as they beat the Nashville Predators by a 5-2 count. The Jets have gone 1-1-1 so far on this season long eight-game homestand. Winnipeg will now face the Los Angeles Kings at Canada Life Centre on Friday night in the first game of the back-to-back.

Outside of celebrating some huge milestones for Connor Hellebuyck tonight, the Jets will also be thrilled to have Dylan Samberg back in the lineup. The 25-year-old has been out with a broken foot that he suffered in Nashville back on November 23.

“He has earned the opportunity to become a top four defenceman the last few years and with him being able to play those minutes, we will see how his minutes go (Friday), but him being able to go against top six forwards, his footwork, his ability to close, be physical and be heavy on those guys makes such a difference,” said Scott Arniel.

“And there is the chemistry with (Neal) Pionk that was big. And then the penalty kills, that is the main part of it. He is a key piece for us and when you lose those guys, they are hard to replace.”

Samberg admitted the last six weeks have been challenging.

“It’s not easy, especially that first week I got back the guys were still on a week-long road trip there,” said Samberg.

“It was a lot of quiet time, but it was good when they got back. You miss the time with the fellas.”

Arniel mentioned the growing chemistry between Samberg and Pionk this season, the duo was rock solid together on the Jets second defence pairing.

"Yeah, it's great. Like I've said before, we've known each other for a long time. He lives a little too close to me in the summer now, so I see him too much, but it's been good,” said Pionk.

“We chat a lot off the ice, too. We play a lot of cards, go to dinners together, so all sorts of stuff."

The Jets will benefit from having Samberg and his size back on the ice as the Kings come to town having won four straight games and they play a heavy game. Los Angeles held the Jets to a season-low 14 shots in the last meeting between the two teams back on November 27.

“Yeah, they defend really well. They play as a unit of five. That being said, I remember that game. They jumped out on us, really hard, really quick. And the starts here, we've got to come back, and that's got to be a focus on it for us,” said Kyle Connor.

“To come out and have a good start, so much easier to play with the lead. And I think we're so much better as a team, not chasing the game.”

Josh Morrissey will play tonight after not finishing the game on Tuesday, the Jets defenceman fell into the net against the Predators. Morrissey skated yesterday and is good to go tonight.

“I just, you know, awkward play, but got lots of work done the last few days,” said Morrissey.

“And avoided anything, any issues. So, 100% healthy and good to go.”

STAT(S) OF THE DAY: Josh Morrissey has goals in consecutive games for the first time this season and the sixth time in his career. He has a current three-game points streak (2G, 2A) and is fourth in points by a defenceman in the NHL this season with 38. He is currently on a 74-point pace.

CELEBRATING HELLE

The Jets will have a special pre-game ceremony tonight to celebrate Connor Hellebuyck reaching three key milestones this season (300 wins, 40 shutouts and 500 games). Hellebuyck got his 300^th career win on Tuesday in the 5-2 Jets victory over Nashville.

“You know, for the longest time I was just playing. Taking it day-by-day, having fun, working hard and trying to get better. As you get a little older in this league and things start to happen and you start to achieve some things, that kind of sets in and you start to realize that you’re doing some great things,” said Hellebuyck on Tuesday.

“I’ve been grateful to be part of this great organization and have had a lot of these guys around me the entire time. It’s been a good team the entire time I’ve been here, so I’m very grateful for everything that’s been going on around me. I know it’s not just me, it’s a whole team and a whole organization that helps.”

Morgan Barron has been a Jet since 2022 and has marvelled at what Hellebuyck has done.

“I think just his consistency. It’s been 10-plus years now, I think. He’s been a top goalie in the league every year. It seems like it’s night in and night out. There are times we’re playing the other team, and you just hear guys saying, “what is going on, this guy is unbelievable,” just muttering to themselves on the ice,” said Barron.

“It’s just fun. It seems like he hits one of these milestones every couple weeks. I am sure there will be another one coming down the pipeline. I just feel real honoured to be his teammate and get to watch that.”

Kyle Connor has been a teammate of Hellebuyck’s for a long time and loves seeing the commitment from the Jets goaltender about getting better each season.

“Yeah, he’s been great for us. Seems like just like every year, it takes to another level. So, it's been fun to watch,” said Connor.

“It's been great to be a teammate of his and see the evolution and just see the type of commitment he has to this team and the city, and obviously to his game. It's just at another level right now.”