The Winnipeg Jets face off against the Edmonton Oilers tonight at Bell MTS Place. Puck drop is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. central time.
Tonight will be the fourth game of the Jets’ current five-game homestand and this stretch of games in Winnipeg have not gone well for the Jets.
Winnipeg started their homestand on April 17, with a 3-0 loss versus Edmonton. Then the Jets hosted Toronto for a pair of games and Winnipeg lost both games in regulation and were unable to close the gap on the first place, Leafs.
On the other hand, the Oilers are coming into tonight after having four days off. Their last game was on Wednesday against the Canadiens and they lost 4-3 in regulation
The Winnipeg Jets host the Edmonton Oilers in a battle for second place in the North Division
Currently, the Jets hold a point lead on the Oilers for second place, but the Oilers have two games in hand on Winnipeg.
It is clear how important this series is for both teams and how these games may impact which team gets home-ice advantage for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Odds
The Jets are the underdogs in tonight’s matchup.
Winnipeg has not played well and are currently on a three-game losing streak. Also, the Jets have not performed well against the Oilers, posting a 2-5-0 record.
Edmonton is well-rested and looking to capitalize on their two fewer games played. Expect a good response from Winnipeg tonight.
Where you can Find the Game
TV: TSN3, SNW, SNOL
Radio: 680 CJOB
Livestream: TSN.ca, TSN app
Projected Lineups
The Winnipeg Jets look set to still be without Adam Lowry for tonight’s game. Lowry suffered an injury on Thursday against Toronto and Paul Maurice has yet to provide an update on his injury.
The Jets will also be without Nikolaj Ehlers. Ehlers has been ruled out for the remainder of the regular season. With Ehlers now ruled out of the lineup, we will see the Jets make some major changes to their lines.
Kristian Vesalinen is projected to come into the lineup for Ehlers and is expected to play in his ninth game this season. Vesalinen’s last appearance came back on February 17 against Edmonton.
On defense, it is projected that Jordie Benn will come back into the lineup after being scratched last game. Benn is projected to replace Logan Stanley on a pair with Dylan DeMelo.
Laurent Brossoit is projected to get the start in goal for the Jets after Connor Hellebuyck has started the past four games for Winnipeg and is winless in his past three starts.
The Jets are projected to lineup like this:
Connor-Dubois-Wheeler
Copp-Scheifele-Appleton
Vesalinen-Stastny-Perreault
Harkins-Thompson-Lewis
Morrissey-Poolman
Forbort-Pionk
Benn-DeMelo
Brossoit (Hellebuyck)
Edmonton is projected to make a couple of changes to their lineup from Wednesday night’s game.
https://twitter.com/EdmontonOilers/status/1386377428923125763
The first change we will see is former Jets defenseman, Dmitry Kulikov, will make his Oilers debut after being acquired from the New Jersey Devils. Kulikov is expected to play on a pair with Adam Larsson.
We could also see an NHL debut tonight as the Oilers’ second round selection of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, Ryan McLeod could enter into the lineup.
Mike Smith is projected to be named Edmonton’ starter for tonight. Smith did leave practice early on Saturday, but fortunately for the Oilers he tweaked something and looks set to play tonight.
The Oilers are expected to lineup like this:
Kahun-McDavid-Puljujarvi
Nugent Hopkins-Draisaitl-Yamamoto
Ennis-Haas-Archibald
Neal-McLeod-Chiasson
Nurse-Bear
Kulikov-Larsson
Jones-Bear
Smith (Koskinen)
Winnipeg Jets Fans: Will the Winnipeg Jets win their first game of their current homestand tonight? Leave your comments below!
*All Stats Provided by the NHL*