Winnipeg Jets vs Toronto Maple Leafs: Blake Wheeler’s 1000th Game

The Winnipeg Jets welcome back a division foe from last season as they host the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Canada Life Centre tonight. The opening puck drop for tonight’s all-important clash is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. central time.

Last time out, the Jets had a wild twelve-goal game against the New Jersey Devils. The Jets scored the first three goals of the game to take an early 3-0 lead, but then the Devils scored the next four to lead 4-3. The Jets finished the game with five unanswered goals to win 8-4.

This is the second game on back-to-back nights for the Maple Leafs. Last night they lost 4-3 to the Minnesota Wild in a shootout at the Xcel Energy Center. The Leafs trailed by three goals, at the halfway point of the game, but scored three unanswered in the second period to tie the game. After neither team found the back of the net in overtime, the game required a shootout in which the Wild won.

That loss in Minnesota was Toronto’s first road loss since October 25 against the Hurricanes. The Leafs have won seven of their last eight away games (7-0-1 record) and currently sit in second place in the Atlantic Division with 36 points in 25 games.

The Winnipeg Jets will look to win back-to-back games for the first time since mid-November

The last time the Jets won two straight games was November 11-14 when they won three straight by beating the Sharks, Kings, and Oilers. The Jets have struggled since that win against Edmonton as they have won only two of their next eight games.

Blake Wheeler Reaches Milestone Game Tonight

Winnipeg Jets’ captain, Blake Wheeler, will be appearing in his 1,000th NHL game this evening. Originally the fifth overall draft pick in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Phoenix Coyotes, this is Wheeler’s fourteenth season in the NHL. He has 279 goals and 538 assists throughout his career.

Wheeler has yet to score this season but does have 10 assists including adding three in Friday’s win against the Devils. Wheeler has been Winnipeg’s captain for the past six seasons and has spent eleven seasons with the franchise.

Odds

The Winnipeg Jets are listed as the underdogs for tonight’s game, courtesy of WynnBET.

The Jets have been inconsistent as of late and have posted a 4-5-1 record over their last ten while they match up against Toronto who has picked up points in their past five games including winning four of those contests.

Where to Catch the Game

TV: TSN3, TSN4

Radio: 680 CJOB

Livestream: TSN.ca, TSN App, ESPN+

Winnipeg Jets Fans: Will Blake Wheeler score tonight in his 1,000th career game? Leave your comments below!