Hellebuyck looks to end recent slide against host Avalanche
You can’t pin all of Winnipeg ’s recent losses on Connor Hellebuyck, but Winnipeg’s No. 1 netminder has been struggling.
He’s lost four of his last five starts and aside from his shutout win against Minnesota, each of his losses has featured a save percentage below .900.
Colorado’s Nathan Mackinnon has 22 goals and 56 points in 39 games this season and he’s just one of the threats awaiting Hellebuyck. The Jets need better games from those in front of Hellebuyck and the goaltender himself in their last game of the decade.
Here are 5 Things to Watch for when the Jets (21-15-3) line up against the Avalanche (23-12-4) Tuesday in Denver:
1
Rebound
Three straight losses and six in their last eight games — the Jets need a win in a bad way. They need to do it away from home against a team that’s ahead of them in the Central Division. It’s no easy task, but the Jets need to bring a different game than the one they played in a 4-1 loss Sunday to St. Louis. Scoring one goal in today’s NHL isn’t going to win hockey games.
2
Brutal PK
In their last eight games, the Jets have faced their opponents’ power play 18 times. They’ve been scored on nine times. Not having Andrew Copp has hurt the team’s penalty kill, but they’re not getting him back for a while yet. Adjustments have to be made.
3
Perreault’s return?
After missing six games with a concussion, it appears Mathieu Perreault will be ready to suit up Tuesday. Perreault, who was dealt the brain injury after a vicious late hit by Philadelphia rookie Joel Farabee two weeks ago, practised Saturday in a non-contact jersey. He’s sporting a new tinted visor to help with the glare.
4
Feed Laine
With five goals in his last seven games, Patrik Laine has rekindled his goal-scoring abilities. He nearly had one against St. Louis, but the post denied him of what would have been his 15th. The sniper needs to be given the puck as much as possible.
5
Fourth-line help
The fourth line is not going to light up the scoreboard on most nights, but Nick Shore’s goal — Winnipeg’s lone marker Sunday — was a product of what that line can do if it works for offence. The play started with a tremendous forecheck from Jansen Harkins and ended on a 2-on-1 with Logan Shaw feeding Shore.
Scott Billeck