Game 74: Jets vs Canadiens pre-game report

We already knew that Jets captain Blake Wheeler would most likely not be available for tonight’s game against the Habs in Montreal. And following the 4-3 Jets win over the Sens last night in Ottawa we also know that Winnipeg will be without the services of Mark Scheifele which in an unusual twist may be a good thing given Habs fans have clearly not forgotten the Jake Evans hit from last season’s playoffs.

If Blake Wheeler cannot play and if Jansen Harkins still isn’t ready then they may be able to go 11/7 if Logan Stanley is healthy enough to play or we wait to find out who might be recalled from the Manitoba Moose (Update: See below).

Last question mark surrounds the netminder. Interim head coach Dave Lowry didn’t give any clues as to who would be between the pipes and while Connor Hellebuyck has been good this season in the second game of a back-to-back it would seem like a good time to get Eric Comrie another start.

Transaction news:

The Jets announced the recall of Mikey Eyssimont from the Moose this morning on an emergency basis. If he plays then it would be his NHL debut for the 5th round pick of the Kings in 2016.

Skate news:

No morning skate with the Jets having played last night.

Warm-up news:

As per Mitchell Clinton of JetsTV it will be Connor Hellebuyck getting back into the net tonight at the Bell Centre.

Jets projected lines & D pairs:

Connor-Dubois-Svechnikov
Barron-Stastny-Ehlers
Sanford-Lowry-Appleton
Brooks-Toninato-Eyssimont

Morrissey-DeMelo
Schmidt-Pionk
Samber-Dillon

Hellebuyck
Comrie

Betway Odds:

It is certainly an interesting night for the odds with the Jets having played against the Senators last night but given that Montreal is the 31st ranked team in the NHL, Winnipeg is in a position to earn themselves a win. Be sure to check out the latest game day odds from Betway.

Player media availability:

To follow.

Coach media availability:

To follow.

Up Next:

Puck drop is at 6 pm CDT.  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 interim head coach Dave Lowry.

You can also join us afterwards for the Illegal Curve Post-Game Show. (be sure to smash that like/subscribe button).