San Jose Sharks vs Winnipeg Jets Picks and Predictions December 17th 2024

Jets Aim to Exploit Sharks’ Defensive Struggles

The Winnipeg Jets, leading the Western Conference, will look to capitalize on the San Jose Sharks’ defensive woes when the teams face off on Tuesday. Winnipeg’s potent offense and stellar goaltending have been a winning formula, while San Jose continues to falter on both ends of the ice.

Jets’ Balanced Attack and Elite Goaltending

The Jets have been one of the NHL’s most complete teams this season, averaging an impressive 3.66 goals per game. A major reason for their success is their balanced scoring—12 players have already reached double-digit points—showing that Winnipeg’s offense doesn’t rely on just one or two stars.

Connor Hellebuyck, meanwhile, continues to dominate in net. With a 2.11 goals-against average and a .926 save percentage, he’s been the backbone of Winnipeg’s rise to the top.

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Their depth and defensive strength were on full display earlier this season when the Jets routed the Sharks 8-3 in their first meeting. That offensive explosion tied Winnipeg’s season-high for goals scored and marked the most San Jose has allowed in a game this year.

Sharks Continue to Struggle Defensively

On the other side, San Jose’s defensive struggles remain a glaring issue. The Sharks are allowing an average of 3.45 goals and 32.5 shots per game—numbers that place them among the NHL’s worst defensive teams.

Their recent 4-3 loss to the Utah Hockey Club was another tough pill to swallow. Despite holding a third-period lead after Fabian Zetterlund’s power-play goal, the Sharks crumbled, allowing 17 shots in the final frame and the game-winning goal with just 44 seconds left.

Coach Ryan Warsofsky didn’t mince words after the game:

“We just stopped playing… We get on our heels and we wait for bad stuff to happen. And it’s just a bad way to play this game,” he said.

The Sharks will need to improve their defensive focus and mentality if they hope to keep up with Winnipeg’s relentless attack.

Special Teams Could Decide the Game

Winnipeg’s special teams have been a game-changer. In their 4-2 win over Montreal on Saturday, the Jets’ penalty kill was perfect (4-for-4), and their power play struck twice in six chances.

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Hellebuyck pointed out the importance of special teams success:

“That’s how you win in this league… Your big guys have got to bring their A-game on a consistent basis.”

Winnipeg currently owns the NHL’s best power play at 30.3 percent efficiency. San Jose, already struggling defensively, will need to stay out of the penalty box to avoid further punishment.

Sharks’ Bright Spot: Celebrini Shines Amid Struggles

Despite the Sharks’ struggles, rookie Macklin Celebrini has provided a glimmer of hope. The No. 1 overall pick has delivered on his promise, tallying 10 goals and 10 assists in his first 21 NHL games. He’s also on a three-game point streak, with five points (two goals, three assists) over that stretch.

San Jose’s leading scorer, Mikael Granlund (11 goals, 21 assists), will also need to step up against a disciplined Winnipeg defense.

Goaltending Decisions Loom

San Jose will have to decide whether to start Vitek Vanecek, who faced a barrage of 40 shots against Utah, or Alexandar Georgiev, who was recently acquired and could make just his second start for the Sharks.

For Winnipeg, with a back-to-back schedule against Anaheim looming on Wednesday, Connor Hellebuyck and backup Eric Comrie are likely to share the workload.

Can the Jets Keep Rolling?

Winnipeg’s firepower and defensive stability give them a clear edge, but the Sharks will be desperate to bounce back and avoid another lopsided result. If the Jets can take advantage of San Jose’s defensive lapses and continue their success on special teams, they’ll be well on their way to another key victory.

The stage is set for an intriguing clash of top versus bottom, where Winnipeg’s consistency meets San Jose’s fight for redemption.