WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Jets saw their four-game winning streak snapped in Colorado on Tuesday night as they fell to the Avalanche 5-2 in the second game of the back-to-back. Winnipeg will now begin their season long eight-game homestand beginning with the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night.
“Just gonna worry about tonight and deal with Anaheim and go from there,” said Dylan DeMelo.
“I think we're excited to be home and play in front of our fans. Maybe have a little bit more of a consistent schedule.”
Winnipeg is 14-3-1 at Canada Life Centre this season so it’s exciting to think about the opportunity that the Jets have in front of them. Especially with more practice time and as DeMelo said a more consistent schedule overall that will allow the team to hopefully get on a roll and stay atop the Central.
“It’s rare to be here in Winnipeg for January, as long as we’re going to be, for 19 days. But take care of tonight’s business. We’re not looking down the road and we’ve tried to do a good job of that, whether it was having to go out on the road for an extended period of time,” said Scott Arniel.
“We try to focus on our opponent tonight. What it’s going to take to beat Anaheim and just stick to that.”
The reason why the Jets are so focused on the Ducks might be because of the fact that Anaheim beat Winnipeg in the team’s only meeting this season. On top of that, the Ducks are playing some of their best hockey right now.
“I think there’s things that we can take from that game systematically, how they scored some of their goals, and use that going into tonight’s game,” said Adam Lowry.
“I think it’s more about focusing on what we can do, limiting how they create their chances, not allowing them to get sticks on pucks coming from the point and things like that.”
Another thing to watch for tonight is Connor Hellebuyck is one win away from 300 in his career. Hellebuyck leads the NHL in wins (24), GAA (2.00), SV% (.930%), and shutouts (5) (minimum 13 games played). He hasn’t allowed more than three goals in 16 straight contests and has shut out the opponent in two of the past four games.
“You look at the body of work, his career, and what he’s done since he came into the league. He’s I’d say one of the best goalies of our generation. Over his 10 years in the league. It’s kind of one of those things where he continually seems to wow you, he continually seems to get better,” said Lowry.
“You think the numbers from the previous year are unbelievable and then he has a start like he’s had this year. We’re really happy, and really lucky to be a part of it.”
