Game 42: Winnipeg Jets vs Edmonton Oilers pre-game report

The Jets stayed off the ice on Wednesday as they got ready with off ice meetings in preparation for three games in four days which starts with the always challenging Connor McDavid and the Oilers.

With the news that Haydn Fleury would be heading to IR after sliding hard into the boards on Monday we learned that prospect Danny Zhilkin would be getting recalled. Might we see another NHL debut? It seems like he could be a perfect boost to the 4th line.

Memo to the Jets (which was the same as the last time these two teams played) do not take penalties against the top ranked Oilers. Especially since Winnipeg’s penalty kill currently sits 23rd overall in the NHL. Edmonton’s ranks 17th so perhaps that could help get the 19th overall Winnipeg PP going.

Skate news:

There will be a third NHL debut as Danny Zhilkin will face the Oilers.

Jets projected lines & D pairs:

Connor-Scheifele-Iafallo
Perfetti-Toews-Vilardi
Barron-Lowry-Niederreiter
Koepke-Zhilkin-Pearson

Morrissey – Pionk
Samberg – DeMelo
Stanley – Schenn

Hellebuyck

Oilers projected lines & D pairs:

RNH – McDavid – Hyman
Podkolzin- Draisaitl – Kapanen
Howard – Roslovic – Savoie
Janmark – Lazar – Frederic

Ekholm – Bouchard
Nurse – Regula
Stastney – Emberson

Pickard

This was how they lined up last game in Nashville as per Tony Brar of Oilers TV except they lost third line centre Adam Henrique in that game (team announced he is out until after Olympic break). Brar indicated Trent Frederic returns on the third line.

Players media availability:

Coach media availability:

Topics:
1) Recall of Danny Zhilkin (making NHL debut)
2) Tweaking to the PP units (1:00)
3) What’s his message to Zhilkin/what can his enthusiasm mean to team? (2:01)
4) Conversations with guys who are healthy scratches (3:08)
5) What’s he looking for from his power play? (4:20)
6) Decisions about putting his lines together (5:38)
7) What does he remember from his NHL debut? (6:52)
8) Organizational benefit having good vets in AHL with prospects (i.e. JAD) (7:33)

Odds:

This matchup carries a deceptive sense of balance. Edmonton enters in the stronger overall spot, but its road struggles help offset Winnipeg’s recent downturn. With both teams facing clear vulnerabilities, the game sets up as a closely contested battle where situational factors could prove just as important as form. For the latest Winnipeg Jets hockey odds, visit NHL betting site 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 join us on our YouTube channel for the Illegal Curve Post-Game Show around 9:40 PM CST as we discuss and analyze the results of the game.