The Winnipeg Jets are one of just a handful of teams that the Sharks have beaten this season. On Dec. 12, San Jose’s defense kept the Jets to a single goal and the Sharks won 2-1. Odds are, that recipe will not work again tonight. San Jose’s defense hasn’t limited the goals as of late. The Sharks have lost nine games in a row and have allowed 38 goals in that span. Plus, the Jets are on notice.
“We need to have a better start tonight for sure. We know they’re going to come right after us. We need to go after them,” said former Shark Dylan DeMelo to NHL.com. “We’re not happy with the result last time we were in here. We thought we left a little out there that wasn’t characteristic for our team. At the end of the day too, focus on us and what we do best.”
This is the start of a short road trip for the Jets that sees the team stopping in Anaheim and Arizona later this week before heading home. Rather than a dads’ trip, this is a mentors’ trip for the Jets. Fathers, brothers and friends are all on the trip with the players so they can share the experience with the players.
Winnipeg is a formidable foe for the Sharks. The Jets continue to change spots in the standings with the Colorado Avalanche. The two teams are battling it out for the top spot in the Central Division. Right now, the Jets trail the Avs in the standing by a point, but the team has two games in hand.
Winnipeg is still without Kyle Connor.
The big news from the Sharks is that Matt Benning had hip surgery and is not expected to play for the rest of the season. The team says the surgery was successful, and he should be ready to go in time for the start of next season’s training camp.
San Jose Sharks lines against the Jets
Since Benning has been out for a while already, it will not impact tonight’s lines. However, there will likely be some changes compared to the Tuesday night loss to the Detroit Red Wings. For one thing, it looks like Mackenzie Blackwood is back in net tonight. While he dressed for the past few games, he was still battling an illness. It looks like he’s healthy enough to play now.
According to Daily Faceoff, here’s what the lines will look like.
Forwards
William Eklund – Tomas Hertl – Anthony Duclair
Fabian Zetterlund – Mikael Granlund – Mike Hoffman
Luke Kunin – Jack Studnicka – Alexander Barabanov
Justin Bailey – Ryan Carpenter – Filip Zadina
Defensemen
Mario Ferraro – Ty Emberson
Henry Thrun – Jan Rutta
Calen Addison – Kyle Burroughs
Goaltenders
Mackenzie Blackwood
Kaapo Kahkonen
Winnipeg Jets lines tonight
Head Coach Rick Bowness put the lines in the blender to help the Jets beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-2 on Tuesday night. It will be a similar set up tonight at SAP Center, at least to start.
Forwards
Cole Perfetti – Mark Scheifele – Alex Iafallo
Nikolaj Ehlers – Vladislav Namestnikov – Gabe Vilardi
Nino Niederreiter – Adam Lowry – Mason Appleton
Morgan Barron – Dominic Toninato – Axel Jonsson-Fjallby
Defensemen
Josh Morrissey – Dylan DeMelo
Brenden Dillon – Neal Pionk
Dylan Samberg – Nate Schmidt
Goaltenders
Connor Hellebuyck
Laurent Brossoit
How to watch Winnipeg Jets at San Jose Sharks Jan. 4, 2024
Tonight’s game will air on NBCSCA or you can download the Sharks App now and listen to Dan Rusanowsky on the radio call. Jets fans can attach the game on TSN 3 or listen on the radio at 680 CJOB/Power 97.
The puck drop is 7:30 p.m. PT, which is 9:30 p.m. CT in Winnipeg. For you east coasters, that’s a 10:30 p.m. start time.
Of course, you can always check back here for all the action and watch the game with the rest of the Fear the Fin community.
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