Old foes collide Friday when the Anaheim Ducks visit Winnipeg to face the soaring Jets, writes
When the Anaheim Ducks fly into Bell MTS Place Friday to battle the Winnipeg Jets, the big matchup will pit Mark Scheifele against Ryan Kesler.
The Jets’ top-line centre has two assists in two games since returning from his second upperbody injury of the season. He’ll be going up against a guy he became well acquainted with during the 2015 playoffs.
Kesler has battled injuries this season, but is a strong two-way player.
Winnipeg (44-19-10) is second in the Central Division. Anaheim (3824-12), winner of four straight, is third in the Pacific.
1
Connor rolling
By scoring both goals in Tuesday’s 2-1 overtime win over the Los Angeles Kings, Jets rookie winger Kyle Connor moved into sole possession of second place in the rookie goalscoring race (27) and he’s just two behind Vancouver Canucks forward Brock Boeser. Connor has 46 points in 67 games and is fifth in team scoring.
2
Welcome back Jack
After sitting out two games as a healthy scratch, Jets rookie forward Jack Roslovic is expected to return to the lineup with Patrik Laine sidelined with a foot injury. Roslovic, who missed Thursday’s workout with flu-like symptoms, has four goals and 12 points in 29 games this season and wants to regain his spot in the rotation.
3
Solve Gibson
Ducks goalie John Gibson is also in a groove this season, starting 55 games while posting a record of 29-17-6 with four shutouts, a 2.41 goals-against average and .927 save percentage. During his past 16 games, Gibson is 12-3-1 with 1.79 GAA and a .943 save percentage. The Jets will start Connor Hellebuyck, who should be feeling refreshed after Eric Comrie played Tuesday.
4
Slump buster?
Jets forward Mathieu Perreault is going through his longest stretch this season without a point (14 games). The versatile forward is one of eight forwards on the roster to be in double digits in goals (16). Perreault has six assists in 13 games against the Ducks, his former team, during his career.
5
Keep top line in check
Veterans Ryan Getzlaf (56 points) and Corey Perry (44 points) have been reunited on the first line with Rickard Rakell, who has quietly put up 31 goals and 63 points.