The Winnipeg Jets are playing their first pre-season game tonight at 7 pm at Bell MTS Place. They will be icing a mixed line-up for this game, one that should feature a couple potential forward lines and defensive pairings. Patrik Laine, Mark Scheifele, Blake Wheeler, and Nikolaj Ehlers will all suit up tonight. Aside from the forwards, Tucker Poolman will see his first bit of NHL pre-season action amongst other players.
There are not many spots open on the roster and that is especially true for the defence. The Jets have Josh Morrissey, Jacob Trouba, Dustin Byfuglien, Tobias Enstrom, Tyler Myers, Dmitry Kulikov, and Ben Chiarot all on NHL deals with Chiarot being the only one who could realistically be beat out for a spot. However, the Jets are notorious for having injured defencemen and the competition for a call-up should be fierce.
In goal, Connor Hellebuyck is starting and he will be backed up by Eric Comrie. It is safe to assume that Hellebuyck is the back-up for this year and Comrie is in competition to win the Manitoba Moose’s starting goalie spot as Michael Hutchinson might be in the AHL this year instead of the Jets carrying three goalies.
Game is at 7:00 CST and is on TSN3 and TSN1290
