Game 70: Jets vs. Predators pre-game report

The Jets come into today’s contest in Nashville seven points back of a Predators team sitting comfortably in 1st place in the Central with a game in hand on Winnipeg.  The Jets are themselves sitting relatively comfortably in the 2nd spot as they hold a seven point edge on Minnesota.

Nashville is one of the hottest teams in the NHL right now (9-0-1) and haven’t played since an OT loss to New Jersey on Saturday.

According to Brian Munz of TSN 1290 Winnipeg it will be Marko Dano drawing back in for the Jets tonight and the below updated lines reflect this change as well as Roslovic moving to centre on the 4th line to cover for the missing Matt Hendricks while Joel Armia moves up to the 3rd line to take Roslovic’s spot.

Health Updates (following yesterday’s morning skate):

Goalie Steve Mason had a scope Monday morning on his knee.  Something didn’t feel right in the game the other day said coach Maurice and this means he will be out two to three weeks.  Dmitry Kulikov has returned to Winnipeg to be evaluated and the Jets bench boss anticipates having more information about his veteran defenceman today.

Mark Scheifele is in a non-contact and back on the ice “feeling much better which is a real positive”.  On Jacob Trouba “if it’s not Chicago it would be the game after (Stars) possibly”.  Adam Lowry is in a full contact sweater and “is not that far off”.  Tobias Enstrom “made real good improvements” on Monday and will be re-evaluated today.

Shawn Matthias is healthy but requires some further “heavy” practice time according to his coach.

Activated:

Jets have activated Shawn Matthias from IR.  He has missed 24 games with an upper body injury.  He last played on January 12th against Chicago.

Morning skate notes:

Jets won’t skate today.

Projected Jets lines, D Pairs and starting goalie:

Connor-Little-Wheeler
Ehlers-Stastny-Laine
Perreault-Copp-Armia
Dano-Roslovic-Tanev

Morrissey-Myers
Chiarot-Byfuglien
Morrow-Poolman

Hutchinson
Hellebuyck

Extras: Matthias.
Injured: Hendricks, Lowry, Trouba, Scheifele, Kulikov, Enstrom and Mason.