What To Watch For When Utah HC Faces Jets

Time to bring on another big dog.

For the fourth time already this season, the Utah Hockey Club will face a division leader or contender in the Winnipeg Jets tomorrow night at Canada Life Centre, which will take place against the backdrop of the United States presidential election.

While the world and those in attendance will be sitting on edge awaiting the results of another bruising and divisive race, here's three keys to tomorrow's game for the Utah Hockey Club.

Related: ICYMI: Utah Heads To Winnipeg Today

Focus. Games on election nights are never easy, but since a chunk of the rosters on both sides are U.S. citizens, it will be hard to not keep the results in the back of the mind.

Over the past few games, Utah HC coach Andre Tourigny has liked how his team has been locked in and has grown into the games. In tomorrow's game, Utah will have to remain that way and maybe even turn it up a few notches.

We've already seen how Utah can be when they're determined to finish the job, especially in last Wednesday's rout of the Flames, and we've seen when it can get away, like in the loss against the Senators.

If Utah can stay locked in and not let the emotions get the better of them, they will have a huge edge in keeping the highlight of the night on the ice.

Discipline. In Saturday's loss at Vegas, the team took only one minor penalty the entire game, after the penalty bug had bit them throughout the first month of the season.

When I mention discipline, I don't mean don't take any penalties at all, but it's to cut down on the untimely penalties.

We've seen in the past, like in the shutout loss at New Jersey, how penalties can stymie Utah's momentum so quickly. Every time the squad seemed to tilt the ice in their favor, they would put the Devils back on the power play, and they took advantage.

Related: Mistakes Cost Utah In Shutout Loss To Devils

Against a fast, skilled team that will cut down time and space like the Jets, Utah's discipline will be even more critical, just how it was against the Devils.

Simplify. Tourigny has harped on getting quality chances over a high quantity of shots, but Utah still has trouble breaking down teams that clog the front of the net with too much passing.

Winnipeg's fast-paced style of play will invite Utah to take more shots on net, but they may not necessarily be the highest-quality shot they can get. Sometimes, it may be more important to make the simpler play.

If Utah can keep the game simple and take the chances when they get them, they will have a shot to break down a Winnipeg defence susceptible to counter-attacks.

More on Winnipeg here, or you can visit their team site on The Hockey News here:

Related: It'll Be A Winter Wonderland When Winnipeg And Utah Meet