NHL Grind Down: Tuesday, April 5th - Page Three
Winnipeg Jets at Anaheim Ducks – 10:00 PM EDT
| Winnipeg Jets | Anaheim Ducks | ||||||||
 | Andrei Vasilevskiy |  | Louis Domingue | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 32-39-8 | 44-24-10 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.56 | 2.89 | 14.60% | 78.80% | Team Stats | 2.64 | 2.32 | 23.20% | 86.90% |
With the Jets’ long since eliminated from playoff contention and owning an ugly 7-12-5 record over their last 24 games, it’s not going to be easy to trust them against an Anaheim team that has allowed an NHL low 2.32 goals against per game since the All-Star break. With that said, the duo of Mark Schiefele and Blake Wheeler have proven to be somewhat matchup proof lately. Wheeler leads the team with 73 points in 79 games and scored a goal and added an assist in the two prior meetings with the Ducks. Meanwhile, Mark Schiefele has finally emerged as the scoring threat Winnipeg was hoping for when they drafted him 7th overall in the 2011 NHL draft. He scored his 27th goal of the season on Sunday and has now racked up 15 goals and 14 assists over his last 23 games. On the blue-line, Dustin Byfuglien showed his offensive upside with a goal and two assists against Chicago on Friday night and the bruising defenseman is now just two points shy of fourth career 50-point season.
With Thursday’s battle with the Los Angeles Kings looming, the Ducks should be eager to grab full control of the Pacific Division (and avoid a first round matchup with San Jose) by picking up two points tonight as the Winnipeg Jets invade the Honda Center. The Ducks have won four of their last five games (25-6-3 record over their last 34) and have also defeated Winnipeg in both of their prior meetings this season, so they will require your attention. The dynamic duo of Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf have finally been reunited on the Ducks’ top forward line and #1 power-play unit and are easily the top two options here. Getzlaf has racked up nine goals and 21 assists in 30 games since the All-Star break while Perry has reached the 30-goal plateau for the sixth time of his impressive career. Jamie McGinn plays the third wheel on this top line and has reaped the benefits as eight goals and four assists in 17 games since being acquired at the trade deadline. While they’ll receive the most attention, don’t sleep on Ryan Kesler. The former 40-goal scorer potted a pair of goals against Dallas on Sunday and has now tallied six goals and eight assists in his last ten games. On defense, the trio of Cam Fowler, Sami Vatanen and Hampus Lindholm all see a nice fantasy boost as Winnipeg is not only among the NHL’s most penalized teams but also own a subpar 78.8% penalty kill.
Winnipeg Jets
CF%: 51.6, CP60: 107.2, 5×5 Differential: -2
Elite Options: None
Secondary Options: Blake Wheeler, Mark Scheifele, Nikolaj Ehlers, Dustin Byfuglien
Anaheim Ducks
CF%: 52.6, CP60: 107.7, 5×5 Differential: -4
Elite Options: Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, Ryan Kesler, Sami Vatanen
Secondary Options: Jamie McGinn, Jakob Silfverberg, Cam Fowler, Hampus Lindholm