The Winnipeg Jets are back in action tonight for the second game of their six-game 2021 preseason schedule as they host the Edmonton Oilers at the Canada Life Centre. The game is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. central time.
On Sunday evening, the Jets kicked off their preseason with a matchup against the Ottawa Senators. This game needed overtime to find a winner, but unfortunately for Winnipeg, Shane Pinto scored the game-winner to give Ottawa the 3-2 victory. Regardless of the result, that game was extremely fun to watch and you can read our site’s recap of the game by clicking the link here or the “NEXT” link at the bottom of this article.
Tonight will be the Oilers’ third contest of the preseason. On Sunday, in their first exhibition game, Edmonton dominated the Calgary Flames, as they scored four second period goals and outshot the Flames 49-15 en route to a 4-0 win. Yesterday the Oilers had another impressive win as they beat the Seattle Kraken 6-0 on home ice. Edmonton has yet to allow a goal this preseason.
The last time these teams faced off was in the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs when the Jets swept the Oilers out of the playoffs. Although the Oilers dominated the season series between these sides last year, the Jets had the upper hand in the playoffs winning three of the four games in overtime.
Expect the Winnipeg Jets to change up their lineup tonight against the Edmonton Oilers
With 45 players on Winnipeg’s training camp roster and the fact that Paul Maurice has already indicated that he wants to give younger players game time this preseason, expect the Jets to make many changes for tonight’s clash.
The Jets dressed a youthful lineup on Sunday along with veterans sprinkled in. Some of the veterans and mainstays that played in the first preseason game were Nikolaj Ehlers, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Andrew Copp. Riley Nash, Neal Pionk, Breden Dillon, and Nate Schmidt.
With that being said, there is a great chance that the Jets will rotate their lineup and we could see the likes of Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele, and Blake Wheeler feature tonight. If yesterday’s practice lines are any indication of how the Jets may lineup tonight, Paul Stastny, Adam Lowry, and Kristian Vesalainen could be on a line together.
The Jets’ defense is a little less unpredictable for this evening’s clash. Dylan DeMelo is projected to come into the lineup while there is also a chance prospects Ville Heinola, Dimtri Kuzmin, Nelson Nogier, and Leon Gawanke will dress.
Eric Comrie got the start three nights ago, so it is expected either Connor Hellebuyck or Mikhail Berdin will start tonight. There is a chance that the pair of Hellebuyck and Berdin may split the workload this evening. Berdin has a great opportunity to challenge Comrie for the backup goaltender role during camp.
The Oilers dressed a majority veteran lineup last night in their first home game of the preseason against the Kraken (Can be seen in the tweet below):
Oilers vs Kraken:
— Bob Stauffer (@Bob_Stauffer) September 28, 2021
Hyman-McDavid-Puljujarvi
RNH-Draisaitl-Yamamoto
Perlini-Shore-Turris
Benson-McLeod-Sceviour
Nurse-Barrie
Broberg-Berglund
Niemelainen-Bouchard
Smith
Koskinen
Yesterday, Oilers head coach, Dave Tippett has already stated that he has “another team ready for tomorrow.”
This most likely means that the top two point scorers from the 2021 NHL season, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, will not be in the lineup for tonight’s matchup.
Some members of the Oilers who did not play last night, who are expected to play tonight are Warren Foegele, Derek Ryan, Zack Kassian, Cody Ceci, Slater Koekkoek, and Kris Russell.
Edmonton has five goalies in their camp and the three that were not on yesterday’s roster were Stuart Skinner, Olivier Rodrigue, and Ilya Konovalov. Skinner and Konovalov combined for a 15 save shutout on Sunday. Since Rodrigue is the lone goaltender of the three that has yet to feature this preseason, it is expected that he will see some playing time tonight.
Winnipeg native and Oilers offseason acquisition, Ducan Keith will not be available tonight as he remains in quarantine. Keith will join Edmonton’s training camp on October 1.
Where to Watch the Game
TV: TSN3
Radio: 680 CJOB
Livestream: TSN.Ca, TSN App, ESPN+
Winnipeg Jets Fans: Which player for the Winnipeg Jets do you think has the most to prove tonight against the Oilers? Leave your comments below!
*All Stats Provided by the NHL*