Game 61: Winnipeg Jets vs Tampa Bay Lightning pre-game report

The Jets held an optional practice on Wednesday which really didn’t give us any insight into today’s game aside from the fact that Josh Morrissey remained in a yellow, non-contact uniform. While head coach Scott Arniel did say there was a chance he could be ready for the game tonight he suggested that Saturday is a more realistic target.

With tomorrow being the NHL Trade Deadline might a player or two be held out for “roster management purposes”? As an aside my new pet peeve is that term entering the hockey lexicon. For now we will presume the lineup will remain the same as their last game which saw them defeat the Hawks in OT and will wait to see if that changes based on morning skate.

The playoff climb is near impossible for the Jets who have to get past a number of teams which isn’t easy with three point games. Speaking of those Winnipeg, after not getting into extra time for much of the season, has now been involved in five of their last six games going past 60 minutes of regulation. While they’ve been adding points to the standings bank (2-1-3) they need more two points games to have any chance.

The challenge tonight will be monumental against a Lightning team that sits second in the Eastern Conference. They have a +52 goal differential as they score a lot (6th most in NHL) and don’t allow a lot against (2nd best in league). That adds up to one heck of a tough opponent. And this team is healthier than the one that defeated Winnipeg by a score of 4-1 just over a month ago.

Skate news:

No changes this morning at skate from the last game.

Biggest question is how many will still be in a Jets uniform at the next morning skate?

Jets projected lines & D pairs:

Connor-Scheifele-Vilardi
Perfetti-Lowry-Iafallo
Nyquist-Toews-Duehr
Koepke-Barron-Pearson

Stanley-DeMelo
Samberg-Salomonsson
Fleury-Schenn

Hellebuyck

Lightning projected lines & D pairs:

Bjorkstrand – Point – Guentzel
Hagel – Cirelli – Kucherov
Girgensons – Gourde – Holmberg
Douglas – Geekie – Sabourin

Moser-Raddysh
Hedman-D’Astous
McDonagh-Cernak

Vasilevskiy

As per team PR this is how they lined up last game.

Players media availability:

To follow.

Coach media availability:

To follow.

Odds:

The Jets continue their eight-game homestand with an incredibly tough test against the Lightning. Winnipeg has been solid on home ice and will look to keep that going, but Tampa Bay arrives as one of the league’s more complete teams this season. The matchup leans toward the visitors on paper, though the home team will hope their building helps keep things closer than expected. 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.