Winnipeg Jets vs Maple Leafs Preview: Odds, Lineups, TV, and More
After having a four-day rest, the Winnipeg Jets are finally back in action as they open up a crucial two-game series against the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight at Bell MTS Place. Puck drop for tonight’s game one is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. central time.
The last time out, the Jets lost a tough one to the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night. Winnipeg could not find a way to beat Mike Smith and gave up two power play goals en route to a 3-0 loss.
The Leafs are coming into this series after playing two games in Vancouver against the Canucks. On Sunday, Toronto dropped their first game against Vancouver 3-2 in overtime and on Tuesday things only get worse for the Leafs as they dropped the second game of the series 6-3.
Even though Toronto started April with a six-game winning streak, they have been struggling as of late. They have not won since April 10 and are currently on a five-game losing streak.
The Winnipeg Jets have a chance to close the gap on the first placed Maple Leafs
Currently, the Jets sit four points behind the Leafs for first place in the North Division, but Winnipeg has a game in hand on Toronto. A Jets regulation win tonight would put them within two points of the division leaders and give them a chance to tie the Leafs with another win on Saturday night.
Odds
The Jets are the underdogs in tonight’s matchup.
Winnipeg is definitely an interesting play tonight. The Jets have had a considerable rest period between games, they have played extremely well after coming off a loss in their previous game, and are coming up against a team that has not played well lately.
The one interesting thing to note is that the Jets have yet to beat the Leafs on home ice this season. Winnipeg has hosted Toronto twice and lost the first game in regulation and the second in a shootout.
Where you can Find the Game
TV: SN, TVAS
Radio: 680 CJOB
Projected Lineups
27-15-3. . Winnipeg Jets. 2. team. 107.
The Winnipeg Jets have received a big lineup boost before tonight’s clash. Blake Wheeler is set to return to the lineup for the first time since April 5, when he suffered a concussion.
Must Read. Blake Wheeler is Set to Make His Return Against Toronto. light
With Wheeler returning to the lineup, Jansen Harkins is projected to be scratched. Wheeler will then hop on a line with Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele. In turn, Pierre-Luc Dubois will center a line of Paul Stastny and Nikolaj Ehlers.
This then means that Andrew Copp will be moved to the third line alongside Adam Lowry and Mason Appleton. Mathieu Perreault, who has been on a line with Lowry and Appleton the past couple of games, will then be dropped to the fourth line on the wing with Nate Thompson and Trevor Lewis.
Winnipeg’s defense is projected to make one change from Saturday’s roster. Jordie Benn is projected to make his Jets debut, which means Logan Stanley will be scratched. Benn is expected to play on a pair with Dylan DeMelo.
Connor Hellebuyck is projected to get the start in goal.
The Jets are projected to lineup like this:
Connor-Scheifele-Wheeler
Stastny-Dubois-Ehlers
Copp-Lowry-Appleton
Perreault-Thompson-Lewis
Morrissey-Poolman
Forbort-Pionk
Benn-DeMelo
Hellebuyck (Brossoit)
28-13-5. . Toronto Maple Leafs. 1. team. 116.
It is projected that we will see a debut tonight for the Leafs. After being traded from the Blue Jackets to Toronto, Nick Foligno is projected to make his Leafs’ debut tonight. Foligno is expected to play on a line with John Tavares and William Nylander.
Although the Foligno debut will be a much needed boost for Toronto, they will be without Zach Hyman. Hyman sprained his MCL on Sunday after being hit knee-on-knee and will be out at least the next week and a half.
Ilya Mikeheyev is expected to return to the lineup after missing Tuesday’s game due to an undisclosed injury.
Jack Campbell is expected to be named the Leafs’ starter tonight after Rittich got the start on Tuesday.
The Maple Leafs are expected to lineup like this:
Galehenyuk-Matthews-Marner
Foligno-Tavares-Nylander
Mikheyev-Kerfoot-Brooks
Thornton-Spezza-Simmonds
Reilly-Holl
Muzzin-Brodie
Dermott-Bogosian
Campbell (Rittich)
Winnipeg Jets Fans: Will the Winnipeg Jets win the game tonight? Leave your comments below!
Next. Logan Stanley Has Been Outstanding This Season. dark
*All Stats Provided by the NHL*