Coming off a hard-luck loss, the Winnipeg Jets aim to get on track in their first-ever trip to Salt Lake City when they visit the Utah Hockey Club on Monday.
The Jets are hitting the road for the first time this calendar year, as the team just completed an eight-game homestand that began on Jan. 2. Winnipeg’s 4-2-2 record included a five-game points streak (4-0-1) and three-game winning streak that were both snapped by Saturday’s 3-1 loss to the Calgary Flames.
Though the Jets outshot Calgary 39-22, Dustin Wolf delivered a 38-save performance in the Flames’ net. It was Winnipeg’s first regulation loss in 23 games (21-1-1) this season when outshooting an opponent.
Jets captain Adam Lowry credited Wolf with “an exceptional game,” but felt his team could’ve made things more difficult on the opposition.
“(Wolf is) a great goalie. He sees the puck, he’s going to make the save,” said Lowry, who scored Winnipeg’s only goal Saturday. “I know we threw up a lot of shots, but I think there (were) instances where those shots could have turned into more if we generated some more traffic.”
Despite the loss, Winnipeg still leads the NHL with 39 home points from a 18-5-3 record in its own building. The Utah Hockey Club are almost at the opposite end of the standings, as Utah’s 18 home points (from a 7-11-4 record) are tied for second-fewest in the league.
That includes a 2-4-0 record in Utah’s first six games of a seven-game homestand. Utah did pick up a victory in its last outing, a 4-2 win over the St. Louis Blues on Saturday.
“There’s no better feeling than winning, especially on home ice,” said forward Logan Cooley, who had a goal and two assists. “These fans deserve it, and obviously it’s felt like it’s been a year since we had a win at home, so it’s nice.”
Clayton Keller had a goal and three assists Saturday to tie his career high with four total points. Keller has five four-point games over his nine-year career. He leads Utah with 48 points (15 goals, 33 assists) this season.
Nick Schmaltz has six points (three goals, three assists) over a five-game points streak for Utah.
Defenseman Mikhail Sergachev is questionable for Monday after an upper-body injury kept him out of Utah’s lineup on Saturday.
Connor Ingram stopped 22 of 24 shots Saturday in his second game back after an upper-body injury sidelined the Utah goalie for almost two months. While Ingram looked sharp against the Blues, Utah could start Karel Vejmelka against Winnipeg if Ingram is still being eased back into action.
Kyle Connor leads all Jets skaters with 60 points (26 goals, 34 assists).
Since backup goalie Eric Comrie faced Calgary, regular starter Connor Hellebuyck should be back in net against Utah. Hellebuyck leads all NHL goalies in wins (28), save percentage (.929) and goals-against average (1.97).
Hellebuyck also has a league-best six shutouts, including a 21-save whitewash in the Jets’ 3-0 victory over Utah on Nov. 5 in Winnipeg.
The Jets have won their last 11 games against the Utah/Arizona Coyotes organization.
–Field Level Media
