Game 28: Jets vs Golden Knights pre-game report

What do you get when you mix a hot home team against a hot road team? That would be tonight’s matchup between the 10-4-0 at home Jets and 12-2-1 on the road Golden Knights. Both teams are coming in after suffering a loss in their last game.

Winnipeg is dealing with some injury trouble as Logan Stanley and Saku Maenalanen recently joined Nikolaj Ehlers and Mason Appleton on the shelf with long-term injuries. The team recalled Kevin Stenlund from the Moose on an emergency basis on Sunday ahead of their game against the Caps but returned him to Manitoba (who are in Calgary) on Monday when the emergency no longer existed (i.e. they didn’t have a game).

Pre-skate news:

The Jets announced that they have recalled Kevin Stenlund from the Moose. This was a regular recall (not an emergency one).

Skate news:

As per Ken Wiebe of Sportsnet goalie Connor Hellebuyck is going through his regular starting routine. Wieber adds that Pierre-Luc Dubois isn’t skating but suspects it is because skates are optional and he interestingly noted that Kevin Stenlund didn’t stay on for extra work so he could be drawing into the lineup tonight for his first game as a member of the Jets while Axel Jonsson-Fjallby stayed out for extra work

Lineup update:

Rick Bowness confirms that Kevin Stenlund is in and will play on 4th line at centre.

Jets projected lines & D pairs:

Perfetti-Scheifele-Wheeler
Connor-Dubois-Eyssimont
Barron-Lowry-Harkins
Gustafsson-Stenlund-Gagner

Morrissey-DeMelo
Dillon-Pionk
Samberg-Schmidt

Hellebuyck
Rittich

Betway Odds:

Perhaps it is because Vegas is 5-5-0 in their last ten games while Winnipeg are 7-3-0 but the oddsmakers are giving the edge in tonight’s contest to the home team. As illustrated above perhaps that is due to the strong home record of the Jets. Regardless of the reasons it should make for a very interesting game with both teams looking to bounce back from a loss. Be sure to check out the latest game day odds from Betway.

Players media availability:

Coach media availability:

Topics:

1) What are the reports he got on Kevin Stenlund from the Moose?
2) Was Pierre-Luc Dubois maintenance? (:50)
3) Does he have a more definitive timeline on Saku & Logan? (1:03)
4) His MO as a boring, defensive coach (1:39)
5) Why does his system allow for good defence and good offence? (2:32)
6) The less you think about offence, instead focus on playing right way, the more offence comes (4:07)
7) Importance of playing a good game vs Vegas in regular season (5:45)
8) Getting a push from his team/should be a spectacular game (6:53)
9) Reasons for more goals in the NHL this season (7:19)
10) Trying to target weaknesses in Vegas (8:45)
11) His challenge to Josh Morrissey this summer (9:20)

Waiver Claim:

The Jets claimed Karson Kuhlman off waivers from Seattle. He has one goal and three assists in 14 games with Seattle.

Up Next:

Puck drop is at 7:00 pm CST.  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). This season you’ll have a chance to win great schwag including authentic Jets jerseys, hats, etc after every single game (For a variety of ways to enter click here).