The Winnipeg Jets are back in action tonight as they look to win both games of this short two-game homestand. The Jets will be welcoming, Central Division foe, the Nashville Predators to the Canada Life Centre. Puck drop will be just a little bit earlier than usual as this Saturday evening matchup is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. central time.
The Jets are coming into this game after picking up their first win of the season in their home opener against the Anaheim Ducks two nights ago. The Jets were led by Connor Hellebuyck who made 38 saves in the 5-1 victory. 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.
On the other hand, this will be the Predators’ first road game of the new season. Nashville’s four-game opening homestand did not go so well for them as they only won one of their four games. It is worth noting that three of those games were decided by one goal.
On Thursday night the Predators lost to the Rangers. The game was tied at the start of the third period, but the Rangers were able to score two goals to win the game by three goals to one.
The Winnipeg Jets are looking to win back-to-back games when they matchup against the Nashville Predators
It has been an extremely long time since the Jets and Predators have matched up against each other. The last time these sides faced off was back on February 4, 2020, when the Predators beat the Jets 2-1 in Winnipeg courtesy of a Mikael Granlund overtime goal.
Odds
The Winnipeg Jets come into tonight as the favorites, courtesy of WynnBET.
This is the second game in a row the Jets will be without their captain, Blake Wheeler, while they are also expected to be without Mark Scheifele.
I would expect this game to be extremely close and could be decided by one or two goals. It will be interesting to see how Nashville starts this game considering it is their first time away from home this season.
Projected Lineups
The big news coming into tonight’s game is the availability of Mark Scheifele. Scheifele was added to the NHL’s COVID Protocol on Thursday and as of yesterday, there is still no update on the Jets’ star forward’s condition.
Paul Maurice says there is no update on Mark Scheifele, adds that the #NHLJets forward is asymptomatic.
— Mitchell Clinton (@MitchellClinton) October 22, 2021
With that being said and the fact that the Jets won their last game, it is projected the Jets will not make any changes for this divisional matchup.
Connor Hellebuyck is projected to get his fifth start in a row after picking up the victory and playing outstanding in his last start.
Here’s how the Jets are projected to lineup:
Connor-Schiefele-Svechnikov
Stastny-Dubois-Ehlers
Harkins-Lowry-Vesalainen
Toninato-Nash
Dillon-Pionk
Morrissey-Schmidt
Stanley-DeMelo
Beaulieu
Hellebuyck (Comrie)
The Predators are definitely seeking a spark on offense. The Preds are coming into Winnipeg having only scored eight goals in their four games. Nashville is expected to keep a similar lineup to what they employed against the Rangers.
On defense, Nashville may bring in Philippe Meyers to replace Mark Borowiecki, who only played a defensive low of 11 minutes and 32 seconds of ice time in Thursday’s defeat.
Juuse Saros has started all of Nashville’s games so far and is expected to start tonight. Nashville signed goaltender, David Rittich, this offseason but he was added to the COVID protocol list before their season opener.
Here is how the Predators are expected to lineup:
Forsberg-Johansen-Duchene
Tolvanen-Grandlund-Kunin
Trenin-Sissons-Jeannot
Cousins-Novak-Tomasino
Josi-Fabbro
Ekholm-Carrier
Benning-Myers
Saros (Ingram)
Where to Catch the Game
TV: SN360, CITY, BSSO
Radio: 680 CJOB
Livestream: ESPN+
Winnipeg Jets Fans: Will the Winnipeg Jets win their second game in a row tonight? Leave your comments below!
*All Stats Provided by the NHL*