Florida Panthers vs Winnipeg Jets Picks and Predictions November 16th 2024

After Rare Loss, NHL-Leading Jets Aim to Bounce Back Against Panthers

The Winnipeg Jets will be looking to shake off a rare loss and get back to their winning ways when they face the Florida Panthers in Sunrise, Fla., on Saturday night. This matchup marks the first game of a home-and-home series between the two teams, with the second leg set to take place in Winnipeg on Tuesday.

The Jets had their franchise-record seven-game road winning streak snapped in a 4-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday. It was only their second defeat in the first 17 games of the season, marking a bump in what has otherwise been a spectacular campaign.

“End of the day, they were on a mission and they were not going to let us get into our game,” Jets coach Scott Arniel said after the game against Tampa Bay. “That’s a good lesson for us. We know how we have to continue to play, we know what helps us have success, and just get back to it.”

Offensive Leaders Look to Rebound

Captain Adam Lowry scored the lone goal for Winnipeg in the loss, briefly cutting the deficit to 3-1 in the second period. The Jets’ potent offense, which had been clicking all season, struggled to find its rhythm against Tampa’s tight defense.

Kyle Connor, who leads Winnipeg with 11 goals and 22 points, was held off the scoresheet for the fourth time in his last five games. Meanwhile, Mark Scheifele and Gabriel Vilardi saw their respective eight-game point streaks come to an end on Thursday.

A silver lining for the Jets is defenseman Josh Morrissey set to play in his 600th career NHL game on Saturday. Morrissey, who leads the team with 15 assists, reflected on the milestone: “It’s cool to be coming up on 600. It goes by fast. A lot of great memories, and it feels like I’m just getting going.”

Panthers Look to End Two-Game Skid

The Florida Panthers have hit a slight rough patch after a strong start to the season. They are coming off back-to-back losses to the New Jersey Devils, where they were outscored 10-3 over two games in Sunrise. The recent defeats snapped a seven-game winning streak for the Panthers.

“We haven’t loved our last two,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice admitted. “You are not going to love them all.”

Despite the losses, Sam Reinhart continued his impressive form, scoring in both games to bring his season total to 13 goals. Reinhart has been on a tear with eight goals in his last eight games and a nine-game point streak during which he’s tallied 13 points.

Captain Aleksander Barkov extended his point streak to seven games, amassing two goals and 11 assists during that span. However, Barkov remained focused on turning things around against the Jets, noting that Winnipeg is currently the league’s hottest team.

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“We know who’s coming into town, the best team in the league right now playing unbelievable hockey,” Barkov said. “We got to be ready right away.”

Key Matchup and Game Outlook

• Jets’ Resilience: Winnipeg will aim to bounce back after their first road loss of the season. They’ll rely on the likes of Connor, Scheifele, and Morrissey to regain their offensive edge.
• Panthers’ Home Ice Advantage: Despite their recent losses at home, the Panthers have been strong in Sunrise this season. A renewed focus on defensive discipline will be crucial as they face a high-powered Jets offense.
• Goaltending Battle: Winnipeg’s Connor Hellebuyck has been stellar this season, while the Panthers will likely counter with Sergei Bobrovsky, who has been a steady presence in goal.

With both teams looking to regain their footing, Saturday’s matchup promises to be a highly competitive contest between two of the top teams in the league.