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Preview: Winnipeg Jets versus Tampa Bay Lightning

Time: 7:00 PM CST

Television: TSN3

Radio: TSN1290

The Winnipeg Jets are back as the NHL resumes play following the All Star Game and they are opening against the top team in the league, the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Lightning have it all: skill, depth, speed, goaltending, decent defence. The Jets also have these things, but their depth has been tested recently with injuries to Mark Scheifele and Adam Lowry.

Injuries:

The Jets are still without Mark Scheifele and Jacob Trouba is now out with an ankle injury. However, Adam Lowry is back which is huge for the Jets as they need his defensive skills to help supplement Blake Wheeler playing centre in lieu of Scheifele.

On the Lightning’s side, speculation is rampant that Victor Hedman is stepping down from his position of Assistant to the Equipment Manager and will be returning to the lineup. Outside of him, the Lightning have not suffered from any major injuries it seems.

Things to Watch:

Who starts for the Winnipeg Jets? Yesterday, Paul Maurice said that Michael Hutchinson would start, but he seemed to backtrack on that stance. However, he is also against the idea of starting Connor Hellebuyck because of how much he has travelled and played already this year.

The Return of Victor Hedman: Hedman is a great defenceman and is now back to full health, which is fantastic for the Lightning and terrible for the Jets. Let’s see how they handle the supposed return of their top defenceman and how they handle his minutes.

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