For the second time in five days, the Utah Hockey Club is gearing up to face the Winnipeg Jets. This time, it is looking to extend its winning streak to four games.
Utah came out on top Monday by a score of 5-2, but the game was actually a lot closer than that. The game’s first goal didn’t come until the last four minutes of the second period, at which point the floodgates opened for both teams.
Since UHC fans are already familiar with the Jets, let’s take a different approach for today’s preview: This is a breakdown of Monday’s game through the lens of what Utah needs to do on Friday.
What did Utah HC do well against the Jets?
At a success rate of 31.9%, the Jets have the best power play in the NHL. Perhaps the best thing Utah did Monday was stay out of the penalty box. UHC did have one set of penalties near the end of the game, but the Jets were equally penalized, so neither team got a power play.
It’s rare for a team to go an entire game without going shorthanded, so it’s probably unrealistic to expect Utah to completely stay out of the box again Friday — so many penalties are purely accidental. But as far as intentional aggressions go, each player needs to be aware of the risk associated with giving the Jets a man advantage.
In both Monday’s game and the two teams’ meeting on Nov. 5, the games’ first goals came toward the end of the second period. Both teams showed resilience without giving anything up defensively.
There’s no telling how long it will take to break the ice on Friday, but Connor Hellebuyck is the best goalie in the world right now, and he’s sure to have a chip on his shoulder after giving up four goals Monday.
Utah found success against the Minnesota Wild on Thursday in peppering the goalie and then crashing the net, looking for rebounds. There’s perhaps no better way to beat a good goalie than picking up a well-timed rebound.
What does Utah HC need to do better?
On a number of occasions, Utah HC has garnered a comfortable lead, assumed it had the win in the bag and let off the gas. In two of those situations, the other team has come back late in the game and won (the Anaheim Ducks and the San Jose Sharks both did that).
After taking a 4-0 lead over the Jets on Monday, UHC allowed two goals in a little more than three minutes. If it is fortunate enough to take a sizable lead again, it must stay diligent. If players get caught thinking about the win before the final buzzer sounds, they’re bound to start slipping.
They improved in that aspect against the Wild. It’s easier said than done, but they can do it.
Additionally, Utah needs to remain focused on playing smart hockey in the second period. It has been a struggle for the team all year, and while the last handful of games as a whole have been better, it hardly controlled the play at all in the middle frame in St. Paul.
Where to watch Utah Hockey Club vs. Winnipeg Jets
It’s back to the usual broadcast channels for Utah on Friday. Fans can catch the game on Utah16 and Utah HC+. The game starts at 6 p.m. MST.