Game 37: Winnipeg Jets vs Edmonton Oilers pre-game report

The Jets looked poised to end their losing skid in their last game but a late penalty saw them drop their fifth straight game although three of those losses have come in overtime. They also lost defenceman Josh Morrissey, who was listed as day-to-day by head coach Scott Arniel yesterday after practice. For the skate Hayden Fleury was in his place. As it is an optional morning skate we will have to see if 44 skates and if he doesn’t, if the bench boss is prepared to share any insight in his morning media availability.

They are going up against an Oilers team that started slow but have climbed back into a playoff spot sitting tied for second in the Pacific division and just one back of top spot. This squad have been lights out at home (10-3-3) in Edmonton but away from Alberta it’s been hit or miss (9-11-3) for most of this season.

The visitors score quite a bit more often than the home team but they also give up quite a few more goals than they do. When you have Connor McDavid on your team it’s not a surprise that you have the top power play in the league when see him alongside Zach Hyman, RNH, Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard. So Winnipeg had best stay out of the penalty box.

Skate news:

As per Jefs radio colour analyst Mitchell Clinton who is at the optional morning skate, Josh Morrissey is participating in it.

Jets projected lines & D pairs:

Connor-Scheifele-Vilardi
Perfetti-Namestnikov-Iafallo
Barron-Lowry-Pearson
Niederreiter-Toews-Nyquist

Fleury(?)-DeMelo
Samberg-Pionk
Stanley-Schenn

Hellebuyck

Oilers projected lines & D pairs:

RNH-McDavid-Hyman
Podkolzin-Draisaitl-Savoie
Frederic-Roslovic-Janmark
Mangaipane-Henrique-Lazar

Ekholm-Bouchard
Nurse-Stastney
Stillman-Emberson

Pickard

As per Oilers play-by-play voice Jack Michaels who listed off the lines from practice yesterday and he confirmed that the Winnipegger Calvin Pickard would get the start in net.

Coach media availability:

To follow.

Health update:

Mitchell reporting that Morrissey is a game-time decision.

Odds:

Edmonton is positioned as the slight favorite heading into the matchup, even with their road struggles this season. Winnipeg, riding a five-game skid that includes three overtime losses, looks to take advantage at home and flip the script in what should be a tightly contested game. For the latest Winnipeg Jets hockey odds, visit NHL betting site Betway.

Up Next:

Puck drop is at 6:30 PM CST. Be sure to head over to illegalcurve.com following the game for a recap of the action. You can join us on our YouTube channel for the Illegal Curve Post-Game Show around 9:10 PM CST as we discuss and analyze the results of the game.