Game 22: Winnipeg Jets vs Edmonton Oilers pre-game report

The Jets have hit a mini skid losing their last two games after spending the last month mostly winning. They had been 8-2-0 before the past couple of losses. The Oilers on the other hand weren’t feeling too optimistic during the month of November which included them firing their head coach but they have now won three straight as they push to get back to the playoff picture.

The biggest question mark for the home team is whether Gabriel Vilardi, who spoke for the first time yesterday (and had quite a lot to say), will play in his first game in over six weeks.

Skate news:

Jets head coach Rick Bowness says Gabriel Vilardi will be a game-time decision. He confirms Connor Hellebuyck starts in net.

For now the projected lines will be based on yesterday’s practice.

Jets projected lines & D pairs:

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

Morrissey-DeMelo
Dillon-Pionk
Samberg-Schmidt

Hellebuyck
Brossoit

Player media:

Coach media:

Topics:

1) Gabe Vilardi as a game-time decision.
2) Connor Hellebuyck starts?
3) Containing a surging Oilers team. (:34)
4) Key to trying to contain McDavid & Draisatl (1:15)
5) Impact of Sam Gagner changing culture (2:01)
6) Lowry matching up against McDavid (2:20)
7) Vilardi moving from net front to bumper on PP (3:03)
8) Stylistic changes for the Oilers since coaching change (3:31)
9) Challenges presented by Evander Kane (4:07)

Health news:

The Jets announced this afternoon that they have activated Gabriel Vilardi off IR although he remains a game-time decision.

Betway Odds:

While the Jets have hit a skid nine points up on these Oilers in the standings with a +10 goal differential to the visitors -7. However Edmonton is streaking while Winnipeg has faltered and therefore the oddsmakers are giving a slight edge to the visiting team. Be sure to check out the latest game day odds from Betway.

Up Next:

Puck drop is at 7 pm CST.  Be sure to head over to illegalcurve.com following the game for a recap of the action. You can also join us afterwards for the Illegal Curve Post-Game Show. (Please be sure to smash that like/subscribe button).