The Winnipeg Jets (7-3-2) host the Carey Price-less Montreal Canadiens (4-8-1) at the MTS Centre for a Hockey Night in Canada 5 PM MT matchup. It is the first meeting between the two clubs this season.
JETS LINEUP
Kyle Connor-Mark Scheifele-Blake Wheeler
Nikolaj Ehlers-Bryan Little-Patrik Laine
Brandon Tanev-Andrew Copp-Shawn Matthias
Brendan Lemieux-Matt Hendricks-Joel Armia
Josh Morrissey-Jacob Trouba
Tobias Enstrom-Dustin Byfuglien
Dmitry Kulikov-Tyler Myers
HABS LINEUP
Max Pacioretty-Phillip Danault-Andrew Shaw
Alex Galchenyuk-Jonathan Drouin-Arturri Lehkonen
Paul Byron-Tomas Plekanec-Brendan Gallagher
Charles Hudon-Michael McCarron-Torrey Mitchell
Victor Mete-Shea Weber
Karl Alzner-Jeff Petry
Brandon Davidson-Jordie Benn
THE JETS LATELY
The Jets are coming off a thrilling 5-2 victory over divisional rival Dallas Stars. The Jets dominated play right from the outset and only saw their game dwindle in the latter part of the third period.
The win over the Stars extended the Jets’ winning streak to three games and they are now 7-1-2 in their last 10 games.
The Jets were once again victim to a poor call reviewed by the NHL when the Dallas Stars challenged a Brandon Tanev goal based on goaltender interference. The “contact” with Ben Bishop was so minimal that it had nothing to do with the goalie’s inability to make the save.
The Jets overcame the bad call on the back of a Mark Scheifele hat trick with his parents in attendance. Patrik Laine got the monkey off his back tallying a goal for himself. Tyler Myers also scored for the Jets.
Connor Hellebuyck managed to improve his record to a stellar 7-0-1 as he turned aside 21 shots.
MATCHUP
The Canadiens have followed a track of one step forward, and two steps back. After demolishing Erik Karlsson and the Ottawa Senators 8-3, the Habs fell back to life with a 6-3 loss to the Minnesota Wild.
Goaltender Carey Price is normally the man that wills the Habs to victory, but he has been horrific so far this season. Price will be in the press box in tonight’s game as he deals with a lower-body injury.
The Jets dropped the first game against the Habs last season 7-4 on January 11. They split the season series by defeating the Canadiens 3-1 on February 18.
Ales Hemsky and Carey Price are out for the Habs while Mathieu Perreault and Adam Lowry remain injured for the Jets.
Al Montoya has been confirmed as the starter for the Canadiens, while it’s expected Connor Hellebuyck will get the start for the Jets.
PREDICTION FOR TONIGHT
The Jets are rolling, and they keep it rolling against a struggling Montreal Canadiens team.
Patrik Laine takes advantage of a backup goaltender matching Mark Scheifele’s hat-trick from the last game. Jacob Trouba and Joel Armia tally for the Jets as well and the Jets cruise to a 5-0 victory.