Game 1: Winnipeg Jets vs Calgary Flames pre-game report

The Jets are looking to build some momentum from the seven-year contract extensions signed by number one goalie Connor Hellebuyck and number one centre Mark Scheifele which was all the news before the team took off for Alberta to begin their quest for what would be their first Stanley Cup.

About the only kinda question mark, although it appears to have been answered, is the status of Nikolaj Ehlers who has been hampered by neck spasms since training camp got underway in Winnipeg. Although given he has skated with Cole Perfetti and Nino Niederreiter the last few days he is likely good to go.

Skate news:

As per Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Free Press he confirmed that the lines and D pairs are same as the ones we saw in yesterday’s practice.

Jets projected lines & D pairs:

Connor-Scheifele-Vilardi
Ehlers-Perfetti-Niederreiter
Iafallo-Lowry-Appleton
Barron-Kupari-Namestnikov

Morrissey-DeMelo
Samberg-Pionk
Dillon-Schmidt

Hellebuyck
Brossoit

Betway Odds:

The Jets and Flames are both teams that are looking to change the narratives about their respective franchises although with Calgary they appear to be many folks bounce back team this year after failing to make the playoffs in 2022-23. For now, given how early on it is in the season, the oddsmakers feel these two clubs are close but they are giving the advantage to the home team.  Be sure to check out the latest game day odds from Betway.

Up Next:

Puck drop is at 9 pm CDT.  Be sure to head over to illegalcurve.com following the game for a recap of the action which includes post-game interviews from Jets players as well as from head coach Rick Bowness.

You can also join us afterwards for the Illegal Curve Post-Game Show. (be sure to smash that like/subscribe button). Reminder tonight we will be at Boston Pizza Taylor where we will be hosting a ‘Watch Party’ which will be followed by the aforementioned IC Post-Game Show.