Winnipeg Jets face uphill battle to snap losing streak vs. Wild after key stat emerges
The Jets will face a tough test when the holiday break ends and they face the Wild, particularly after a key stat emerged that could make life difficult for them.
The Winnipeg Jets return from the holiday break facing a very difficult Central Division test against the Minnesota Wild and Quinn Hughes on Saturday night in Winnipeg.
The Jets enter the matchup on a four-game losing streak, and they have a 15-17-3 record that has made consistently winning hard to find.
The stat that proves to make life difficult for the Jets
One stat that has emerged that adds further concern is that Winnipeg is 4-6-1 within the division and will need a cleaner, more structured performance to slow a Minnesota team that has been red-hot as of late.
The Wild sit at 22-10-6 and have been solid vs. Central opponents, going 6-3-2 while building a plus-16 goal differential.
Minnesota has scored 114 goals this season while allowing just 98, which has allowed the team to dictate the pace in those tight games.
The Wild also shut out the Jets 3-0 in the most recent meeting, a result that still lingers, and could make life hard for Winnipeg to once again find the back of the net.
Why avoiding penalties will also be key for the Jets
The challenge for Winnipeg becomes even harder when looking at discipline. The Jets average 10.1 penalty minutes per game, a stat that could create problems against a Wild group that has been efficient when given extra chances.
Limiting time shorthanded will be critical once play resumes to give Winnipeg a shot at winning.
Kyle Connor leads Winnipeg with 17 goals and 26 assists, while Gabriel Vilardi has produced consistently over the Jets' last 10 games.
Minnesota has Kirill Kaprizov and Matthew Boldy, who continue to drive offense during a strong recent stretch of play. Puck drop is set for Saturday at 6 P CT.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 26 | 99 ANSWERS Winnipeg Jets face uphill battle to snap losing streak vs. Wild after key stat emerges Will the Jets beat the Wild? | ||
| Yes | 30 | 30.3 % |
| No | 69 | 69.7 % |
| List of polls | ||