Adam Williams presents his prediction for the NHL match.
The Winnipeg Jets begin a three-game road trip along the East Coast, starting with a Broadway showdown against the New York Rangers on Wednesday night. The Rangers have been victorious in 7 of their last 10 outings.
New York Rangers
For goaltender Igor Shesterkin, this will be a significant evening, as he faced heavy criticism in the press and on social media following a large home defeat to the Buffalo Sabres (1:6) last week. It's the perfect time for a major comeback, especially with one of the modern era's best goaltenders guarding the opposite net. Shesterkin has excelled against the Winnipeg Jets, boasting four wins in six games with a 94.4% save percentage and a 1.86 goals-against average.
Winnipeg Jets
The Winnipeg Jets' strong start to the season has caused their stock to skyrocket, but there's reason for suspicion. They lead significantly in PDO (the sum of shooting and save percentages), currently at 107.2, an unsustainable figure over the long term. By contrast, the Rangers, who were the league's best team last regular season, finished with 101.4. Additionally, the Jets struggle with controlling play at even strength (48.6 xGF%), indicating they score much more than they create, while Connor Hellebuyck covers up many defensive deficiencies.
New York Rangers vs Winnipeg Jets Prediction
The uproar and sarcastic remarks will serve as extra motivation for Shesterkin to deliver a top-tier performance. His play will be the difference for the Rangers, while Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, Adam Fox, and Alexis Lafrenière can do damage at the other end. We're betting on a home win.
