Event of the Day: Winnipeg Jets versus Nashville Predators
Our event of the day is the NHL fixture between the Winnipeg Jets and the Nashville Predators at the MTS Bell Center in Winnipeg. These two teams are locked in a battle of Western Conference Central Division. Nashville holds a slim lead but Winnipeg has numerous games in hand. Both teams have played well this season but have seen minor slumps in recent matches. With the division lead on the line, it’s all to play for tonight. The Jets and Predators are locked in a battle for the top of the Western Conference’s Central Division. The Predators hold a one point lead but the Jets have three games in hand. Winnipeg is on a 2-game losing streak, and 3-6-1 in their last 10, which has helped their opponents tonight maintain their lead at the top of the division.
The star of the Jets this season has been Mark Scheifele. The 25-year-old center has 31 goals this season and will more than likely set a new career best in goals scored. His current season best is 32, which he scored in the 2016-17 season. Scheifele forms part of the Jets’ formidable first line alongside Patrik Laine and Blake Wheeler. However, the Jets do struggle with putting up decent depth and rely strongly on their first line. Scheifele and Laine have combined for 60 goals, 28.3% of the Jets’ season total so far. However, goalie Connor Hellebuyck is having a slightly down season. He currently holds a .910 save percentage and has not recorded a clean sheet all season. While the Jets’ are still having a successful season, their goaltending may raise issues come the postseason. This may be the best time for Winnipeg to make a serious championship run, given the number of high-profile free agents and contract negotiations they will have to deal with come the offseason. Meanwhile, Nashville are 4-5-1 in their last 10 matches as they cling to their slim division lead. They have been lead by Viktor Arvidsson. The Swedish winger has scored 29 goals so far this season. He plays on Nashville’s powerful first line with assists and points leader Ryan Johansen, who has 42 assists and 53 points on the season, and the team’s second leading scorer Filip Forsberg. However, the Predators do have some depth, with a strong second line of Kyle Turris, Calle Järnkrok and new acquisition Wayne Simmonds. The teams have split the two games they have played so far this season and neither side will want to give ground with the race for the central division so tight. Be sure you don’t miss tonight’s exciting action.
Honourable mentions around the globe to go the 2019 USA Sevens at the Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas. The tournament is the fifth of the 2018-19 World Rugby Sevens Series. New Zealand and the USA come into this tournament tied for first place in the standings. So far, New Zealand has won two tournaments and reached the semi-finals in the other two, while the US has been the runner-up in all four tournaments preceding Vegas. The US are the reigning Las Vegas champions and will look to win their home soil event for the second year in a row. It is sure to be an exciting day of sevens rugby. Elsewhere, the European Athletics Indoor Championshipsopen in Glasgow. Some of the best European talent in track and field, including a number of promising Team GB athletes will be hoping to make an impression on home soil. It’s sure to be a day to remember so be sure you don’t miss it. On the LPGA tour, the HSBC Women’s World Championship continues at the Sentosa Golf Course in Singapore. In the NBA, the Toronto Raptors host the Portland Trail Blazers at the Scotiabank Arena. On the ATP tour, the Brasil Open continues in São Paulo.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Photos by NHL