DETROIT - The Winnipeg Jets open a quick two-game road trip tonight when they take on the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena.
The Jets (3-3-0) are coming off a 4-2 win over the St. Louis Blues at Canada Life Centre on Tuesday, and are looking to extend their win streak to three straight on Thursday.
Any time the Jets come to Michigan, it’s a special visit for forward Kyle Connor and goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.
Hellebuyck, who will start in goal tonight, is from Commerce, MI. As for Connor, he’s from Shelby Township, and has memories of watching the Red Wings as a kid.
Connor, who was a Hobey Baker Award finalist in 2016 after an incredible season at the University of Michigan, takes advantage of every second the team is in his home state.
"You grow up here, spend a lot of time here, play your minor hockey here, create a lot of relationships that help you get to the point you are," said Connor. "I always cherish coming back. We only come here once a year too, so I think it’s a little extra special. You get to enjoy that moment, see a lot of friends and family, and play some familiar faces. It’s always a great time."
He’d like nothing more than to leave Detroit with a victory, but he knows it will be a challenge.
If the Jets want to extend their win streak to three games, they’ll have to do it against a Red Wings team that is 5-0-1 since a season opening loss to the New Jersey Devils.
Detroit’s offence is powered by a power play that is currently clicking at 41.4 percent, the second best mark in the National Hockey League. It’ll be a tough test for the Jets penalty kill, which has given up a goal in every game this season.
But Associate Coach Scott Arniel feels the Jets are close to turning a corner. He also knows the Jets need to manage the puck well against a dangerous transition team like Detroit.
"All four lines can score. They have a very mobile back end," said Arniel. "We talked this morning, you can’t do that against this team or against any team - but this team lives off of that. If we can play below the hash marks in the offensive zone, it goes a long way towards having success against them.”
LINE RUSHES
No changes are expected in the Jets line-up. The same group that produced a 4-2 win over St. Louis on Tuesday will be back at it again tonight.
Connor-Scheifele-Iafallo
Perfetti-Namestnikov-Ehlers
Niederreiter-Lowry-Appleton
Barron-Kupari-Gustafsson
Morrissey-DeMelo
Dillon-Pionk
Samberg-Schmidt
FAMILIAR FACES
A trip to Detroit wouldn’t be complete without saying hello to former Jets Andrew Copp and Ben Chiarot.
Once again, Copp hosted a number of his teammates for dinner the day before the game. Connor was with family last night, but does plan to say hello after the game.
Until then, though…
"It’s all business on the ice," Connor said. "I see Copper a lot in the summer, so when I come into town it’s catching up with friends and family. We’ll chat after the game, for sure."
