The Winnipeg Jets take on the Minnesota Wild in Minnesota tonight. After trimming the roster, the Winnipeg Jets will be dressing more top-end talent than their previous preseason games, while the Wild appear to be dressing their entire top 6 forward and top 4 defensive group.
The game will be broadcast on TSN3 tonight.
Possible (likely) Line-ups:
Winnipeg Jets
Andrew Ladd – Bryan Little – Nikolaj Ehlers
Adam Lowry – Mark Scheifele – Blake Wheeler
JC Lipon – Jim Slater – Chris Thorburn
Matt Halischuk – Nicolas Petan – Carl Klingberg
Tobias Enstrom – Zach Bogosian
Keaton Ellerby – Ben Chiarot
Danny Taylor
Minnesota Wild
Zach Parise – Mikael Granlund – Charlie Coyle
Nino Neiderreiter – Mikko Koivu – Jason Pominville
Matt Cooke – Erik Haula – Justin Fontaine
Michael Keranen – Kyle Brodziak – Joel Rechlicz
Jared Spurgeon – Marco Scandella
Gustav Olofsson – Matthew Dumba
Players to Watch
Playing with real top-line talent, I'm going to have my eyes on Nikolaj Ehlers for the Jets. With a strong showing, he could make a case to stick around for at least the first nine games of the NHL season. I'll also be watching Grant Clitsome. I thought Clitsome played pretty well in his last preseason game, and I'm hopeful that he can contain the Wild's "real" NHL forward group, especially with Adam Pardy by his side.
For the I'll have my eye on Mikael Granlund, because he is uber-talented. Erik Haula as well, who I consider to be a bit under-appreciated. Finally, Matt Dumba, the Wild's top pick in 2012, might push his way into the Wild's top 4 defensemen this season.