The Winnipeg Jets face off against the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight at Bell MTS Place. Puck drop is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. central time.
Tonight’s game is the second of a two-game mini-series between the Jets and Leafs. These sides met on Thursday night and game one went the Leafs’ way, as they beat the Jets 5-3. You can read our recap of the game by clicking here or by clicking the “NEXT” link at the bottom of this article.
That loss currently puts Winnipeg six points behind Toronto for first place in the North Division, but the Jets do have a game in hand on the Leafs. Right behind the Jets, with one less point, is the Edmonton Oilers in third place. The Oilers do have a game in hand on the Jets.
Winnipeg will look for a crucial win tonight, before welcoming Edmonton for a two-game series starting on Monday night in Winnipeg.
The Winnipeg Jets look to win their first game of this homestand and split this series with the Toronto Maple Leafs
Tonight will be the Jets’ third game of their current five-game homestand of which they have yet to win on. A regulation win for Winnipeg will put them back within four points of first place in the North.
Odds
The Winnipeg Jets are listed as the underdogs in tonight’s matchup.
After the result of the last game and the fact that the Jets have yet to beat the Leafs on home ice this season, it is no surprise the Jets are the underdogs.
Where you can Find the Game
TV: CBC, SNO, SNP, NHLN
Radio: 680 CJOB
Projected Lineups
The Winnipeg Jets look forced to make one lineup change for tonight’s clash. Adam Lowry left Thursday’s game injured after the first period.
Although there has been no update to his injury, Lowry did not skate in yesterday’s team practice and Paul Maurice said that he was being tested and they will have a better idea of his availability at some point today.
It is projected that Mathieu Perreault will slot into Lowry’s spot on the third line and Jansen Harkins will come into the lineup and play on the fourth line with Nate Thompson and Trevor Lewis.
Besides the Jets making one change due to Lowry’s injury, they are projected to make another change but this change will be on defense. Logan Stanley is projected to in for Jordie Benn, who made his Jets’ debut last game.
Benn’s first game as a member of the Jets did not go so well, he was a -2 plus/minus in 11 minutes and 30 seconds of ice time. Stanley has played well throughout this season and will have a chance to impress matching up against some of the best offensive talents the league has to offer.
Connor Hellebuyck is projected to get the start in goal. Hellebuyck is seeking a victory after going winless in his last two starts.
The Jets are projected to lineup like this:
Connor-Scheifele-Wheeler
Stastny-Dubois-Ehlers
Perreault-Copp-Appleton
Harkins-Thompson-Lewis
Morrissey-Poolman
Forbort-Pionk
Stanley-DeMelo
Hellebuyck (Brossoit)
With no apparent injuries, it is projected that the Leafs will keep the same exact lineup as they used in Thursday’s victory.
Nick Foligno played well in his debut for Toronto, in the first game of this series, and will look to build on that performance. Foligno is expected to remain on a line with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.
Jack Campbell is projected to be the starter tonight as he looks to build on his solid performance in game one of this series.
The Maple Leafs are expected to lineup like this:
Foligno-Matthews-Marner
Galchenyuk-Tavares-Nylander
Engvall-Kerfoot-Simmonds
Thornton-Brooks-Spezza
Rielly-Brodie
Muzzin-Holl
Sandin-Dermott
Campbell (Rittich)
Winnipeg Jets Fans: What are your score predictions for tonight’s game? Leave your comments below!
*All Stats Provided by the NHL*