Winnipeg Jets vs Ottawa Senators: 2021 Preseason Game 1 Preview

For the first time since June 7, when the Winnipeg Jets were swept out of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs by the Montreal Canadiens, the Jets are finally back on the ice tonight as they kick off their preseason campaign for the 2021-2022 season.

Tonight’s opening preseason game will be on home ice for the Jets at the Canada Life Centre (formerly known as Bell MTS Place) and puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. central time.

Expect both the Winnipeg Jets and Ottawa Senators lineups to be featuring many prospects

Being that tonight is the first game for both teams and the Jets have 45 players on their training camp roster, while the Senators have 54 on theirs, there is no indication on what the lineups will be for each team.

After the team’s complete their morning skates and practices, the lineups should be released.

The Winnipeg Jets

Paul Maurice said on the first day of training camp that he is “going to dress real young teams” during the preseason to get good looks at these players, play each player in different positions and scenarios, and put them under the pressure of tough opposition.

One Jets prospect who will not be on tonight’s roster is Dylan Samberg. Samberg suffered a high ankle sprain on the first day of camp and will miss a significant time (could be out for four to eight weeks).

The Ottawa Senators

The Senators have a good number of highly-touted prospects at training camp and some of those players may be on display tonight. There are three players from the Senators’ 2021 draft class that are participating in their camp and could play tonight including Carson Latimer, Benjamin Roger, and Chandler Romeo.

If these players do play this evening, they should be fun to watch as they can be the faces of the future for Ottawa.

It is interesting to note, that Ottawa’s star player, Brady Tkachuk is a restricted free agent and is still unsigned for the upcoming season.

For this season, the Senators have a youthful group of forwards that features the likes of Tim Stuztle, Chris Tierney, and Josh Norris. The Senators’ front office bolstered their defense this offseason as they acquired Michael Del Zotto, Nick Holden, and Victor Mete to bring depth to a defensive core that already features Thomas Chabot and Nikita Zaitsev.

Matt Murray is projected to be the starter goaltender for Ottawa when the season begins, and former Jets goaltender, Anton Forsberg is projected to be the backup although he will have some competition for the spot throughout the preseason.

Where you can Find the Game

TV: TSN3, TSN5, NHL Network

Radio: 680 CJOB

Livestream: TSN.ca, TSN app

Winnipeg Jets Fans: Which Winnipeg Jets player are you most excited to watch tonight in the club’s first preseason game? Leave your comments below!