Game #22 Preview and GDT: Winnipeg Jets at Minnesota Wild

The Winnipeg Jets are on a road trip precipice. Now 0-3-0, Winnipeg rounds out its five-game excursion with match-ups against Central division opponents: the Minnesota Wild tonight, followed by the Nashville Predators on Friday. While 2-3-0 would still be far from ideal, the divisional aspect of these next two tilts would help to salvage what's been a maddening time away from the MTS Centre (not to mention setting a tone for the three-game homestand which follows).

Sidelined by an upper-body injury since Oct. 25, Drew Stafford returns to game action on a line with Nic Petan and Brandon Tanev. Petan has looked great since being recalled from the Manitoba Moose, whether in terms of fancy stats (56.2 5v5 CF%) or point production (six points in 10 games). It'll be interesting to see if Stafford can hit the ground running and take advantage of Petan's playmaking prowess.

Meanwhile, Quinton Howden has been reassigned to the Moose in light of Stafford’s return, Tyler Myers has been placed on injured reserve and Chase De Leo continues to wait.

So Howden gets game time but gets sent down when Stafford comes back but DE Leo can’t crack the roster but stays with the Jets?

— BombersJets (@Gbuschrist) November 23, 2016

Tonight's starter in Connor Hellebuyck had a fine game against Carolina on Nov. 20, stopping 30 out of 31 even-strength shots against and posting a .925 Sv% overall. But Hellebuyck's .911 Sv% on the season pales in comparison to that of his Wild counterpart Devan Dubnyk, who's rocking a .949 Sv%. If there's solace to be taken, Dubnyk last posted a sub-.900 Sv% effort on Oct. 15, against who else? The Winnipeg Jets.

@Russostrib pic.twitter.com/C2AJLG1jl8

— Jay Coopersmith (@JayCoopersmith) November 23, 2016

The Wild will be getting their own recovery boost, as defenceman Marco Scandella returns from a high ankle sprain and forward Zach Parise continues to recover from strep throat. Across the board, Minnesota's guns have gone silent; the Wild have scored two or fewer goals in each of their last six games. With a goal and assist against Dallas on Nov. 21, Nino Niederreiter may be the hottest hand Minnesota has at the moment.