Who is the Player to Watch Against the Winnipeg Jets?

The New York Rangers have a lot to prove against the Winnipeg Jets.

Prior to their most recent 4-0 win over Original Six foe the Detroit Red Wings, the Rangers were coming off a disastrous 6-1 loss against Buffalo. Now as the Blueshirts (9-3-1) transition to taking Winnipeg (14-1-0) — one of the best teams in the league — the Rangers are looking at an uphill battle.

The Winnipeg Jets also set an NHL record. In their 4-1 victory against the Dallas Stars at Canada Life Centre on Saturday, it marked their 14th win in their first 15 games to start a season with a

A win is certainly within the range of possibility at Madison Square Garden, but in order for it to happen the Rangers are going to have to shut down one key Jets player.

Kyle Connor

27-year-old Kyle Connor is a Winnipeg veteran, playing for the Jets since the 2016-17 season.

The left winger was drafted by WPG in 2015 as the 17th pick in the first round. Since then, his nine seasons with the Jets have accumulated to two NHL All-Star Game appearances (2022, 2024).

In his rookie season, he went on to lead NHL rookies with 31 goals, helping the Jets to their best season in franchise history (52-20-10, 114 points). No. 81 followed this up in 2018-19 by scoring 34 goals in 2018-19 and even went on to better that total in his third season.

As for accolades, in 2021-22 Connor became the first Jets/Atlanta Thrashers player to win the Lady Byng Trophy — awarded annually to the NHL player voted to best combine sportsmanship, gentlemanly conduct and ability.

The Michigan native is currently one of two leading scorers on the Jets for 2024-25. Along with teammate Nikolaj Ehlers, Connor has played in all 15 games so far this campaign in addition to scoring nine goals.

He has also logged 10 assists for a total of 19 points.

How to Tune In

Puck drop is slated for 7 p.m. EST on Nov. 12 between Winnipeg and the New York Rangers. The game will be available for streaming on ESPN+.