Quite a day to have to focus on hockey with the NHL Trade Deadline concluding at 2 PM CST. However the show must go on as must this hockey game between Winnipeg and Edmonton which kicks off a home and home back-to-back between these two clubs who hold down the two wild card spots in the Western Conference.
We know that Mason Appleton will not be a player for the Jets as he was placed on injured reserve and it seems unlikely that Pierre-Luc Dubois plays as he was listed as doubtful by head coach Rick Bowness after practice in Winnipeg on Thursday. The team does have Axel Jonsson-Fjallby and potentially David Gustafsson.
Skate news:
As per Jamie Thomas forward Mason Appleton and Pierre-Luc Dubois are in non-contact red at the optional skate. Biggest question is whether Gustafsson or Jonsson-Fjallby draws in.
Update from coach:
He said that Pierre-Luc Dubois is “very doubtful but a game-time decision”. When asked if Dubois doesn’t play they will go with 11/7 the bench boss of Winnipeg said they will activate David Gustafsson.
Activation:
The Jets activated David Gustafsson from IR. Seems likely he plays based on the comments from Rick Bowness today from Edmonton.
Warm-up skate:
It will indeed be David Gustafsson in for Pierre-Luc Dubois who misses his second straight game according to Jamie Thomas who also indicates that Axel Jonsson-Fjallby is in for Sam Gagner.
Jets projected lines & D pairs:
Connor-Scheifele-Wheeler
Ehlers-Lowry-Niederreiter
Barron-Stenlund-Kuhlman
Maenalanen Gustafsson Jonsson-Fjallby
Morrissey-DeMelo
Dillon-Pionk
Stanley-Schmidt
Hellebuyck
Rittich
Betway Odds:
This is a massive game for both teams as they both fight to get into the top 3 of their respective divisions. At home the Oilers have an average record at 15-12-5 although they tuned the Leafs on Wednesday night while the Jets counter with an even more average road record of 15-14-1. Be sure to check out the latest game day odds from Betway.
Players media availability:
Coach media availability:
Topics:
1) Health update on Pierre-Luc Dubois.
2) Will he go 11/7 if Dubois cannot play? (:10)
3) What would he expect to see from David Gustafsson if he plays? (:20)
4) Acquisition of Vladislav Namestnikov. (:28)
5) How will the Oilers games challenge the Jets? (1:00)
6) Why he doesn’t like going 11/7? (1:17)
7) What signs does he look for to see that the group is responding? (2:02)
Up Next:
Puck drop is at 8:00 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).
