Winnipeg Jets: Tough 3-Game Stretch Before Christmas

The Winnipeg Jets are having an excellent month of December, that being said, they start a tough three-game home stretch before Christmas.

It must be nice for the team to be home from now until Christmas. They can get to know the city, do all of their holiday shopping and enjoy the perks of living in the freezing cold of Winnipeg.

But in all honesty, they are home tonight against the Islanders, followed by a back-to-back on Thursday and Friday with the Montreal Canadiens and Pittsburgh Penguins respectively.

The Jets will need to focus on defense against three teams, as they all have some great front-end talent that can put the puck in the net. Moreover, on their back-to-back stretch they will need to fend off some "home" fans who cheer for both les Canadiens and the Penguins as they have excellent followings throughout the NHL.

So what do we think will happen?

Here are my predictions for these three games.

December 20: New York Islanders vs. Winnipeg Jets

Outcome: Winnipeg 3, New York 2. Evander Kane scores a late goal to help eek by the Isles.

December 22: Montreal Canadiens vs. Winnipeg Jets

Outcome: Montreal 4, Winnipeg 1. Montreal is too much for the Jets on the power play.

December 23: Pittsburgh vs. Winnipeg Jets

Outcome: Pittsburgh 5, Winnipeg 2. The Jets look anything but a jet after their back-to-back.

Every team has tough stretches and back-to-backs in this league, but you must make sure that you remain consistent and avoid big losing streaks. This is the fear of the young Jets, who can easily play themselves out of contention with one losing streak.

Happy holidays to all.