Winnipeg Jets vs New Jersey Devils

The Winnipeg Jets put together quite the game against the Nashville Predators last night. After a shut out loss to the Calgary Flames on Saturday night, the team rebounded and put in a much better effort, and came away with a point as they lost in overtime 5-4.

NHL.com

The New Jersey Devils are in full blown rebuild mode, and it doesn’t help when your top scoring forward is on the shelf. But with injuries comes opportunities, and the Devils are jockeying forwards to look for the best combinations. The Devils latest effort was on Saturday versus the Arizona Coyotes, but came up on the losing end of a 5-4 contest, and giving them a 10th straight loss.

Where: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey

Who: Winnipeg Jets (30-33-7 for 67 pts) vs New Jersey Devils (25-31-12 for 62 pts)

When: 6:00 pm CST

How: TSN3, TSN 1290, MSG+, TOJN

Okay, New Jersey is expected to get a lot of snow, and there’s already been talk of postponing the game.

As of this writing, I’m not sure the Winnipeg Jets made it to New Jersey after their game against the Predators last night. So, with that said, here’s a suggested re-scheduling plan in case our East Coast friends get snowed in.

Projected Lineups:

Winnipeg Jets:

Ehlers - Scheifele - Wheeler

Perreault - Little- Laine

Matthias - Lowry - Armia

Copp - Petan - Thorburn

Chariot - Byfuglien

Morrissey - Trouba

Stuart - Postma

Hellebuyck

Hutchinson

*Petan in, Thorburn in - Dano took two shots to the noggin’ last night versus the Preds. I expect him to take two aspirins and be scratched for this game, so both Thorburn and Petan will likely draw in.

*Melchiori likely out, Trouba likely in.

*Enstrom (UBI), Myers (LBI), Pavelec (LBI)

New Jersey Devils:

Hall - Henrique - Palmieri

Wood - Zappin - Lappin

Bennett - Blandisi - Noesen

Coleman - Rooney - Pietila

Greene - Lovejoy

Merrill - Santini

Moore - Severson

Schneider

Kincaid

Keys to the game:

Winnipeg Jets: Play like they did versus Nashville, with out the penalties though.

New Jersey Devils: Focus!

3 Questions:

1. Has Hellebuyck finally solidified the #1 goaltender position? Again, we’re not sure. Hellebuyck seems to have lots of peaks and valleys in his game.
2. Can the Winnipeg Jets manage to stay out of the penalty box? I say the next player who takes a 2 minute minor, has to donate $2500 to a charity.
3. What more can the Jets do? Play like their lives literally depend upon winning.

Players to watch:

Winnipeg Jets: Byfuglien. No more mister nice guy, but no more penalties either.

New Jersey Devils: Hall. The leader of the team in a losing season.

Participants worthy of your rejection and unclean wordplay: Schneider. Once the darling of the Manitoba Moose is now the enemy. (but still great in my books!)

Prediction: Jets 3-2

Update: