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The ultimate Winnipeg Jets common season recreation of the 2024 calendar 12 months is occurring tonight. It’s a busy 13 recreation schedule across the NHL on this New Yr’s Eve, together with the Jets who’re on the street in Colorado for a Central division matchup in opposition to the Avalanche. Contemporary off a 3-0 win final evening in Winnipeg in opposition to the Nashville Predators, the Jets look to enhance on their present 4 recreation win streak. Other than tonight being the ultimate Jets recreation of 2024, this recreation will mark the ultimate recreation earlier than the Jets start a season lengthy 8 recreation dwelling stand to start the 2025 portion of this NHL season.
Taking one final peak on the NHL league standings earlier than the ultimate evening of video games in 2024, the Jets stay on the high of the league with 55 factors. The race for 1st place continues to warmth up, because the pink scorching Golden Knights are simply 2 factors again with 2 video games in hand on the Jets. The Devils, Capitals, Wild and Panthers are 4 different groups inside attain of that 1st spot within the NHL standings, and every staff has impressed this season in their very own methods. The Avalanche are eleventh general within the league standings, however are trending upwards after a batch of trades and roster strikes to assist ignite their common starting to the season.
Tonight’s matchup options Central division rivals who should nonetheless keep in mind their 1st spherical matchup from the 2024 playoffs. The Jets are 5-5-0 of their final 10 video games (together with that playoff collection) in opposition to the Avalanche. The 2 groups most up-to-date matchup, on November seventh, 2024, noticed the Jets win 1-0 because of a objective from Gabe Vilardi and a 35 save shutout from Connor Hellebuyck. Video games in opposition to the Avalanche at all times appear to have an additional “spark” to them, and that might be no totally different tonight as each groups look to conclude 2024 with a win.
As for the Jets, they’ve been again on their successful methods as of late with their present 4 recreation win streak. Final evening’s 3-0 win was a recreation that appeared nearer on paper than it actually was, because the Jets managed the play and received extra excessive hazard possibilities than the Predators. Connor Hellebuyck earned his fifth shutout of the season (solely needing to make 22 saves), and the staff did all they may to restrict Nashville’s assault. Yesterday the Jets introduced that Mason Appleton might be “week-to-week” with a lower-body damage, whereas Dylan Samberg is “not there but” based on head coach Scott Arniel. Haydn Fleury continues to be out “week-to-week” with a decrease physique damage, leaving the Jets defence in a “subsequent man up” mentality.
Tonight’s projected beginning goalies are Eric Comrie and Mackenzie Blackwood. Whereas Hellebuyck picked up the shutout final evening, it’s anticipated that Comrie performs the 2nd half of this again to again. It’s been some time since Comrie has began in objective, so you realize he’ll be prepared to assist the Jets go for the win tonight in Denver.
Blackwood must be in objective for the Avalanche, recent off signing a 5 12 months, 26+ million greenback extension with the Avalanche. The signing got here as a little bit of a shock to some, as Blackwood solely appeared in 3 video games with the Avalanche earlier than signing this new deal. The Avalanche should be assured that the Blackwood – Wedgewood duo in internet will efficiently substitute the previous Georgiev – Annunen tandem that began the season. One closing lineup addition to notice for the Avalanche would be the return of ahead Johnathan Drouin, who has missed the final 16 video games due to an upper-body damage.
Tonight’s New Yr’s Eve recreation might be on TSN 3/4, as properly on ESPN+ (regionally unique), with puck drop at 7:00 pm CT. The Jets might be seeking to finish a really profitable 2024 calendar 12 months within the common season with their twenty eighth win of the 12 months, seeking to maintain down that high spot within the NHL standings. Joyful New Yr 2025 from all of us at Jets Nation!
Jets Projected Lineup:
Kyle Connor – Mark Scheifele – Gabriel Vilardi
Cole Perfetti- Vladislav Namestnikov – Nikolaj Ehlers
Nino Niederreiter – Adam Lowry – Alex Iafallo
Morgan Barron – Rasmus Kupari – David Gustafsson
Josh Morrissey – Dylan DeMelo
Logan Stanley- Neal Pionk
Colin Miller – Dylan Coghlan
Eric Comrie
Connor Hellebuyck
