Winnipeg Jets (3-3-0) vs. Arizona Coyotes (2-4-0)
The 2022-23 NHL season goes on Friday, October 28, with the Central Division clash at Mullett Arena in Tempe, Arizona, where the Winnipeg Jets face off against the Arizona Coyotes to start their three-game regular-season series.
Winnipeg heads to Tempe searching for its fourth consecutive victory over Arizona. The Jets open as firm moneyline favorites, so let’s take a closer look.
The Winnipeg Jets will meet the Coyotes on the second night of a back-to-back set on the road. Thursday night’s games have been excluded from the analysis, and the Jets visited the Los Angeles Kings as +120 moneyline underdogs. Winnipeg was looking for its second straight win after blanking the St. Louis Blues 4-0 as slight -115 home favorites this past Monday.
Connor Hellebuyck earned his first shutout of the season and 29th of his career. The 29-year-old netminder posted 25 saves against the Blues, improving to 3-2-0 with a 2.20 GAA and .929 save percentage on the season. Hellebuyck was projected to patrol the crease Thursday in Los Angeles, so David Rittich (0-1-0; 4.23 GAA; .871 SV%) should get the starting call Friday at Arizona.
Hear from Gagner, Barron, and Associate Coach Scott Arniel ahead of the Jets 3-game road trip!
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) October 26, 2022
The Jets are scoring 2.67 goals per game (26th in the NHL) while surrendering 2.83 in a return (tied-9th). Winnipeg desperately needs from its offense after converting just two of 19 power-play opportunities and posting an 8.5 shooting percentage through the first six games of the season. Also, the Jets ranks 20th in the league in both expected goals for and high-danger scoring chances.