Adam Williams presents his prediction for the NHL match.
The New York Rangers embark on a three-game road trip, and their first challenge is the toughest—a showdown with the Winnipeg Jets, a team nearly impossible to break down on home ice.
Winnipeg Jets
Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck’s numbers at Canada Life Centre are staggering: 20 wins, an astonishing .932 save percentage, a 1.8 goals-against average, and five shutouts. The last time the Jets conceded more than three goals at home was on 5 January against the Detroit Red Wings (2:4), where the Red Wings struck twice on the power play.
New York Rangers
The Rangers can only dream of such efficiency, especially after losing playmaking defenceman Adam Fox (5+43) to injury. Rookie Zac Jones has stepped into the power-play quarterback role, but the Rangers have converted just one of their last 20 power-play opportunities over six games.
Winnipeg Jets vs New York Rangers Prediction
This matchup is set to feature two of the NHL’s four highest-paid goalies: Connor Hellebuyck ($8.5m per year) and Igor Shesterkin, who will become the league’s highest-paid netminder next season ($11.5m). It’s unlikely they both falter in the same game—one of them is bound to deliver a stellar performance. Add in the brutal schedule—the Jets are playing their fourth game in six days, while the Rangers face their third in four—and everything points to a low-scoring battle.
