Winnipeg Jets vs Calgary Flames Picks and Predictions January 18th 2025

Jets Look to Close Homestand Strong Against Flames

The Winnipeg Jets are set to cap off their longest homestand of the season with a showdown against the Calgary Flames. With momentum on their side and a chance to solidify their position atop the standings, the Jets aim to finish on a high note. Meanwhile, the Flames are desperate to bounce back after a tough road trip and hold onto their playoff spot.

Jets Riding Momentum into Final Home Game

Winnipeg has made the most of its eight-game homestand, posting an impressive 4-1-2 record so far. Their consistency has propelled them into a tie for first place in the NHL alongside the Washington Capitals, with both teams sitting at 65 points.

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The Jets extended their winning streak to three games with a dramatic 2-1 victory over the Seattle Kraken on Thursday. Defenseman Dylan DeMelo provided the game-winning goal with just 27 seconds remaining, marking a memorable moment in his 600th NHL game.

Head coach Scott Arniel emphasized the importance of discipline and sticking to their system.

“Just keep doing what we’re doing… when we play our way and our style, sooner or later, we’re hoping the opposition’s going to bend. That’s when we pounce on it,” Arniel said. “We’ve learned some lessons over the years. When we’re down, we try not to change our style, because that only makes it tougher to come back.”

Despite their success, the Jets know they can still sharpen their game. Forward Nikolaj Ehlers acknowledged that while the team has been rolling, they need to maintain relentless pressure on opponents.

“When you’re rolling like we are, you don’t want to give them anything, you don’t want to give them a breath of fresh air,” Ehlers noted. “That’s something I personally, and we as a team, can do a little better—just keep jamming it down their throats.”

Flames Looking to Rebound After Tough Road Trip

While the Jets are soaring, the Flames are struggling to find their footing. Calgary is coming off back-to-back losses in St. Louis, including a 4-1 defeat on Thursday. They currently hold the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference with 49 points, but their lead is razor-thin, with St. Louis and Vancouver just one point behind.

Head coach Ryan Huska didn’t mince words when discussing his team’s slow start against the Blues, where they surrendered three first-period goals.

“Yeah, I was surprised,” Huska admitted. “When you look at our team this year, there aren’t many first periods where we can say we haven’t been very good. My issue… was these were games where you want to be your very best, and I didn’t think we were.”

Defenseman Mackenzie Weegar put the responsibility on the team’s leaders to set the tone.

“I’ve said this before—a lot of it comes down to leadership,” Weegar stated. “Getting guys ready and focused before games. It’s just disappointing. We can’t let that happen… It comes down to preparation and sticking to the game plan.”

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Key Players and Injury Updates

Winnipeg may receive a boost on defense as Haydn Fleury and Colin Miller are nearing their return. Both have resumed full participation in practice after recovering from a lower-body injury and a fractured larynx, respectively. However, forwards Vladislav Namestnikov and Mason Appleton are still a ways from rejoining the lineup.

For Calgary, Connor Zary remains out indefinitely with a lower-body injury, though the good news is that surgery won’t be necessary.

High-Stakes Battle in Winnipeg

As the Jets wrap up their homestand, they’ll look to maintain their grip on the top spot in the standings while keeping their momentum rolling. Meanwhile, the Flames are in a fight for their playoff lives and need a bounce-back performance to keep their postseason hopes intact.

With one team soaring and the other searching for answers, this matchup promises to be an intense battle between two squads with everything on the line.