Yahoo Sports Jets Will Host The Underperforming Kraken In Their Second Meeting This Season
The Winnipeg Jets will host the Seattle Kraken tonight, having beaten them 4-3 in overtime earlier this season.
When these two teams first met, the Jets were in the midst of their greatest start in franchise history and the Kraken were still hopeful of making the playoffs, playing above a .500 level.
The game started well for the Kraken, opening the score and generating the bulk of the shots in the opening frame. Things turned around quickly for the Jets, scoring three unanswered goals, two of which came off of the stick of Nino Niederreiter. The Kraken clawed their way back into the game tying things at 3-3 before Nikolaj Ehlers scored the overtime winner.
Related: Jets' Nikolaj Ehlers Continues To Grow His Game And Add New Elements
The two teams have gone separate ways in the standings since then. The Kraken have plummeted to 28th in the NHL standings and the Jets have maintained their position at the top of the standings.
The Kraken struggle to generate shots and chances despite their 10.9 shooting percentage and have dealt with extremely subpar goaltending in nearly half of their starts. Joey Daccord, the expected starter tonight has been excellent when healthy, posting a .914 SV% and a 2.47 GAA. He and Connor Hellebuyck will be reacquainted tonight.
Related: Hellebuyck's Dominance, Love for Winnipeg on Full Display in 300th Career Win
Kyle Connor had scored one goal in his last seven games before he exploded for a first-period natural hat trick. He is tied for the team lead in goals and has sole possession of the team lead in points but his league-wide ranks are equally as impressive. He ranks seventh in the NHL in points and is tied for third with Mark Scheifele in goals scored.
Related: Connor's Hat Trick Helps Jets to 6-1 Win Over Vancouver
Puck drop is at 7:00 P.M. CST at the Canadian Life Centre.
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