The Winnipeg Jets enter tonight’s important matchup against the Buffalo Sabres with a lot on the line.
The Jets currently sit three points behind the Dallas Stars, who occupy the second Western Conference Wild Card playoff spot, and the Stars have two games in hand on the Jets.
With that being stated, tonight’s two points are crucial for the Jets to keep pace with the Stars if Winnipeg wants any chance to make the 2022 NHL postseason.
Unfortunately earlier today, the Winnipeg Jets got terrible news at an inopportune time as two of their main players have entered the COVID-19 protocol.
Kyle Connor and Nate Schmidt of the Winnipeg Jets have been placed in the COVID-protocol
Around noon today at Dave Lowry’s pregame press conference, the Jets head coach announced that both Kyle Connor and Nate Schmidt have tested positive for COVID-19 in Buffalo and have been added to the protocol.
With the entry rules into Canada changing Apr. 1, they were just a couple days away from no longer having to test prior to crossing the boarder. Connor and Schmidt will quarantine in Michigan before they can return to Winnipeg
— Kyle Bukauskas (@SNkylebukauskas) March 30, 2022
Therefore, Connor and Schmidt will not be available to play in tonight’s contest against the Sabres and tomorrow’s game in Toronto against the Maple Leafs.
The Jets have yet to make any emergency loans from the Manitoba Moose but with the Jets playing back-to-back games, a loan or two should be announced in the coming hours.
Winnipeg Jets Lose their Leading Scorer and Leading Point Scoring Defenseman
Kyle Connor is having an outstanding season and, up to today, he was the only player to play in every regular season game for the Jets. Connor has an outstanding 41 goals and 41 assists for a team-leading 82 points, which is twenty more than any other player on the roster.
Nate Schmidt is also having a good season. The offseason trade acquisition is leading all Jets defensemen in assists (27) and points (31).
The Jets will definitely need everybody on their roster to step up while these two players are out of the lineup, especially when every point is crucial in the playoff race.
Want your voice heard? Join the Jets White Out team!
You can get ready for tonight’s game versus the Sabres by reading our preview of the game which includes stats, odds, and where to catch the game by clicking the link here or the “NEXT” link at the bottom of this article.