Game: 9:00 pm CST, Sportsnet
The Winnipeg Jets are playing the second half of a back to back against the Los Angeles Kings in LA. The Jets are coming off of a 4-3 loss to the Arizona Coyotes. Michael Hutchinson will be starting tonight as Connor Hellebuyck has been struggling a lot recently. The Kings are starting Peter Budaj in lieu of the injured Jonathan Quick.
This should be a challenge for the Jets as the Kings are one of the elite teams in the NHL and the Jets are decidedly not good. The good news for the Jets is while he has not been good per say, Drew Stafford has at least been producing for the Jets once he was thrust into a top six role. There is the possibility that Mark Stuart will play in his second straight game after not playing in a game since November 29. Beyond that, the Jets will have a battle to try to create offence against the Kings who are incredibly gifted at limiting offences. The Jets might want to take inspiration from the Montreal Canadiens who managed to break the Kings defence with an aggressive forecheck.
Probable Jets Lines
Nikolaj Ehlers – Mark Scheifele – Drew Stafford
Mathieu Perreault – Bryan Little – Blake Wheeler
Joel Armia – Adam Lowry – Shawn Matthias
Andrew Copp – Nic Petan – Chris Thorburn
Tobias Enstrom – Jacob Trouba
Joshua Morrissey – Dustin Byfuglien
Mark Stuart – Paul Postma
Michael Hutchinson
Probable Kings Lines
Marian Gaborik – Anze Kopitar – Trevor Lewis
Tanner Pearson – Jeff Carter – Dustin Brown
Kyle Clifford – Nic Dowd – Devin Setoguchi
Dwight King – Nick Shore – Jordan Nolan
Derek Forbort – Drew Doughty
Jake Muzzin – Alec Martinez
Kevin Gravel – Brayden McNabb
Peter Budaj
