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Preview: Winnipeg Jets vs. Calgary Flames

Time: 9:00 PM CST

Channel: Sportsnet

Radio: TSN1290

Enemy Blog: Matchsticks and Gasoline

The Winnipeg Jets are taking on the Comeback Kids in the Calgary Flames tonight. The Flames, who are loaded with offensive talent, have a penchant for coming back in games to win them. They did this on Saturday with a third period comeback against the Oilers and then were flat-out dominant against the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday.

They should be starting David Rittich in net. While Mike Smith has struggled this year, making some remember the trials and tribulations of Ondrej Pavelec, Rittich has been a steady hand in the Flames net making big saves and regular saves for them. As time goes on it becomes harder and harder for the Flames to justify playing Smith more frequently.

As for their forwards, the usual suspects are at it again. Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan, Elias Lindholm, Mikael Backlund, and Matthew Tkachuk. There are also newcomers like Dillon Dube and old guys like Michael Frolik who deserve to be watched.

As for the Jets, Patrik Laine is coming off of a hat trick Monday night against the Vancouver Canucks were he scored two of his goals at 5 v 5 for the first time since the first round of the playoffs last spring and looked good doing it. Hopefully that is a sign of his luck turning around as the Jets could use with some more scoring at 5 v 5.

Already scoring at 5 v 5 for the Jets has been Kyle Connor who, since having been moved off a line with Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele, has continued his strong play. It is nice to see the Jets now know who he is away from his most common linemates and that he is successful in any situation.

The Jets can start either goalie and not put themselves in a pickle and that is their most likely approach tonight. We probably will not see Laurent Brossoit tonight, but if we do it will be him playing against the team that drafted him.

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