Event of the Day: Winnipeg Jets versus Tampa Bay Lightning

Our event of the day is the NHL match between the Winnipeg Jets and the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Bell MTS Place in Winnipeg. The Jets are second in the Western Conference with 66 points from 50 games, while the Lightning lead the Eastern Conference with the league’s best total of 71 points from 49 games. The teams return to regular season action after the 63rd NHL All-Star game held in Tampa on Sunday. Winnipeg had three consecutive wins before losing 4-3 on penalties away to the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday.
Tampa Bay are in the midst of a long series of away matches – this is their fifth in a row. They have three straight victories, including the emphatic 5-1 win at the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday. When these two teams met in December, the Lightning overcame the Jets, at home, 4-3 after overtime. Winnipeg’s right wing Blake Wheeler leads his side on points with 54, of which he has 40 assists – which is sixth equal most in the league, while right wing Patrik Laine has scored 22 goals so far this season. The Jets have the second best power play percentage in the league with 24.7%, whilst Tampa Bay lead the NHL with 173 goals scored and 3.53 per game. Lightning captain and centre Steven Stamkos has 58 points - equal third best in the league, but he is topped by his teammate, right wing Nikita Kucherov who has a league leading 64 points. Kucherov remained in excellent form in the All-Star semi-final game by scoring a hat-trick on home ice. We are in for an exciting face off at the Bell MTS Place.

Honourable mentions around the globe go to the Premier League duel between Swansea City and Arsenal at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea. Swansea are bottom of the table with 20 points, but are undefeated in all competitions in the last five games. Arsenal returned to winning ways with two home triumphs, including a 2-1 win over Chelsea on Wednesdayto reach the EFL Cup final. Also in the Premier League, Huddersfield Town host Liverpool at the John Smith’s Stadium in Huddersfield; while West Ham and Crystal Palace clash in a London derby at the London Stadium. It’s Day 2 of the St. Petersburg Ladies’ Trophy at the Sibur Arena of Dynamo Tennis Club in Saint Petersburg. There’s plenty of action in the NBA, with the Toronto Raptors taking on the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto; while the Detroit Pistons come up against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. Elsewhere in the NHL, the Pittsburgh Penguins welcome the San Jose Sharks to the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, and the Calgary Flames take on the Vegas Golden Knights at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary.
 
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
 
Fixture
 
Photos by NHL

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