The Edmonton Oilers look to get back to their game tonight as they are in Winnipeg to take on the Jets. The Jets themselves are on a bit of a losing streak. Their three-game losing streak has dropped them in the Central Division, they now trail both the Avalanche and the Stars by 4 points. Their 5-5 record is not the way they need to be playing this late in the season.
The Edmotnon Oilers on the other hand are on a 2 game-losing streak and are 5-3-2 in their last 5. Teams are starting to catch up to the Oilers in the standings as well. With their 4 game winning streak the Los Angeles Kings find themselves only one point behind the Oilers, albeit with 2 more games played than the Oilers.
If the Oilers lose in regulation tonight that would make the Oilers only one point up on the Kings with one game in hand and they face the Kings this Thursday, So if the Oilers lose the next two games then the Kings will be in 2nd place in the Division. The Oilers need to halt this losing streak if they hope to maintain home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
I expect this game to have high intensity as both of these teams want to win this game and end their losing streak. Undoubtedly, the Oilers are a stronger offensive team, led by Zach Hyman and his 50 goals, but the Jets will have the advantage between the pipes. Connor Hellebuyck is one of the league's elite goaltenders. His 2.39 GAA and 0.920 SV% puts him first and second in those respective categories for goalies who have played at least 25 games this season.
A lot is riding on this game for both of these teams. With the Central Division slipping away from the Winnipeg Jets and teams closing in on the Edmonton Oilers in the Pacific these two points up for grabs tonight are very important for both of these teams. I think that will cause this game to have a playoff feel to it which will be fun to watch.