On Monday night, the Winnipeg Jets are set to face off against the Utah Hockey Club at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, marking their second meeting of the season. Following a stellar home stand, the Jets are eager to rebound after their recent setback against the Calgary Flames, where they suffered a 3-1 defeat. Meanwhile, the Utah team, stemming from their own struggles, is coming off of an important 4-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues, which halted their three-game losing streak.
The Jets currently sit atop the Western Conference with a record of 31-13-3, and they’ve consistently been among the league’s elite teams all season. They previously shut out Utah 3-0 during their first encounter on November 5, thanks to standout performances from Connor Hellebuyck, who made 21 saves to earn his 39th career shutout, and Nino Niederreiter, who scored twice.
Utah, now holding a record of 19-19-7, finds themselves battling injuries with their leading scorer Dylan Guenther sidelined due to a lower body injury. The absence of Guenther, coupled with defenseman Mikhail Sergachev's injury, puts the pressure on Utah to navigate through this formidable matchup. Coach Scott Arniel acknowledges the dangers posed by Utah’s speed and skill, stating, "This is a Central Division match-up and they’re right in the mix of things.”
The game on January 20 will be broadcast live starting at 9:30 p.m. ET on channels including TSN3 and Utah16. Fans can expect to see competitive lineups from both teams. For the Jets, the projected forward lines are highlighted by Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele, and Gabriel Vilardi, with Nikolaj Ehlers returning to the mix after recovery from injury.
Utah’s lineup is struggling but still features key players like Clayton Keller, who is leading the team and has been instrumental with consistent offensive production. Keller recently shone with his four-point performance against St. Louis. Having earned the distinction of being the team's captain, Keller has become the linchpin of Utah's efforts this season.
Jets coach Scott Arniel remarked on the relevance of knowing the history of the Delta Center and his own past playing experiences there, saying, "When I played here, the dressing rooms were on the other side. It’s kind of cool being back." This sentiment emphasizes the connection some members of the Jets organization still hold with Utah, enhancing the narrative of the game.
After their defeat against Calgary, which snapped their three-game win streak, the Jets are focused on getting back to their winning ways. Despite controlling the game statistically against the Flames—with more shots on goal and high-danger chances—winless nights can douse momentum quickly. Perfetti remarked, "I think we doubled them up on shots, we played well. There are a few things… we could’ve been a little bit more effective.”
For Utah, the victory against the Blues provided much-needed morale. The team managed to rally after conceding the first goal, demonstrating resilience. Having found some success prior, they are eager to carry the momentum against the Jets. The upcoming schedule might not favor them much, as they face tough opponents, but this game against Winnipeg is undoubtedly key for their playoff aspirations.
Heading to the market, betting odds for this matchup heavily favor the Jets, reflecting their impressive record and goal differential standing. Teams like Winnipeg tend to put pressure on opponents whose confidence might have waned. Various betting sites place the odds at Winnipeg winning, and analysts agree the Jets are deserving of their favorites tag, which they’ve maintained all season.
Fans can expect to hear exhilarating commentary as the teams take to the ice. With Winnipeg's solid defensive play and scoring prowess, combined with Utah's struggles, the stakes are high for both sides. Who will emerge victorious? The realization of the Jets' sustained success or the potential turnaround for Utah after their last win? This match promises excitement for hockey enthusiasts as the action kicks off at the Delta Center.