Game 77: Winnipeg Jets vs Seattle Kraken pre-game report

The Jets will hope to build on a successful road trip which saw them go 3-1-0 during this quick, one-game stop at home before they head back out on the road. They find themselves three back of both the Predators and Kings and one back of the Sharks (who have a game in hand on everyone). With just six games remaining this is a must-win contest against the Kraken who sit three back of the Jets.

The biggest question mark is the status of Elias Salomonsson who missed last game after being placed in concussion protocol following the game before last when he was reverse hit by Jason Robertson last Thursday. Additionally, there is a question as to the status of Vlad Namestnikov or Nino Niederreiter who both shed the non-contact jersey for a regular uniform at morning skate on Saturday. Might either of them draw back in?

The Kraken did have the second wild card spot but have gone 2-6-2 in their last ten games including three straight losses which now has them on the outside looking in. Seattle has had Winnipeg’s number this season beating them twice already.

Skate news:

Gustav Nyquist in yellow, non-contact jersey. No Morgan Barron or Elias Salomonsson this morning. Vlad Namestnikov and Nino Niederreiter both appear ready to draw in.

Jets projected lines & D pairs:

Connor-Scheifele-Iafallo
Perfetti-Lowry-Vilardi
Niederreiter-Namestnikov-Lambert
Koepke-Toews-Rosén

Morrissey-DeMelo
Samberg-Pionk
Fleury-Bryson

Hellebuyck

Kraken projected lines & D pairs:

McMann – Beniers – Eberle
Schwartz – Stephenson – Tolvanen
McCann – Catton – Kakko
Winterton – Molgaard – Gaudreau

Evana – Larsson
Dunn – Fleury
Lindgren – Montour

Grubauer

Players media availability:

Coach media availability:

Health update:

Head coach Scott Arniel confirmed that Morgan Barron is out week-to-week with a lower-body injury sustained in the game against the Blue Jackets. We also learned from the bench boss that prospect Elias Salomonsson remains in concussion protocol.

Odds:

The Jets may have a slight edge, but not enough to overlook the Kraken in a high-stakes spot. With both teams chasing a the wild card and with just six games left, Seattle’s recent slide adds urgency, while Winnipeg’s recent form keeps this tighter than it may seem at first glance.  For the latest Winnipeg Jets hockey odds, visit NHL betting site Betway.

Up Next:

Puck drop is at 6:30 PM CT. 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 9:10 PM CT as we discuss and analyze the results of the game.