The Winnipeg Jets and Ottawa Senators face off tonight at the Canadian Tire Centre, with the Jets desperate to end an eight-game losing streak. The Senators, meanwhile, are looking to build on a 6-3-1 record in their last 10 games and climb out of the bottom of the Atlantic Division.
Here's a look at the projected lineups:
Winnipeg Jets (15-20-4)
- Forwards: Kyle Connor - Mark Scheifele - Gabriel Vilardi, Morgan Barron - Adam Lowry - Nino Niederreiter, Cole Perfetti - Jonathan Toews - Alex Iafallo, Cole Koepke - Vladislav Namestnikov - Tanner Pearson
- Defense: Josh Morrissey - Dylan DeMelo, Dylan Samberg - Neal Pionk, Logan Stanley - Colin Miller
- Goalies: Connor Hellebuyck, Eric Comrie
- Scratches: Luke Schenn, Haydn Fleury, Gustav Nyquist
Jets coach Scott Arniel has shuffled the lines, inserting Koepke for Nyquist on the fourth line and Miller for Schenn on the third defensive pairing. The Jets have struggled mightily, sitting at the bottom of the Central Division and the entire NHL. They are 1-6-3 in their last 10 games. The Jets lost their most recent game against the Maple Leafs 6-5, squandering a 4-1 second-period lead.
Ottawa Senators (19-15-5)
- Forwards: Ridly Greig - Tim Stutzle - Fabian Zetterlund, Brady Tkachuk - Dylan Cozens - Drake Batherson, Michael Amadio - Shane Pinto - Claude Giroux, Nick Cousins - Stephen Halliday - David Perron
- Defense: Jake Sanderson - Artem Zub, Thomas Chabot - Nick Jensen, Tyler Kleven - Jordan Spence
- Goalies: Leevi Merilainen, Hunter Shepard
- Scratches: Kurtis MacDermid, Nikolas Matinpalo
- Injured: Lars Eller (broken foot)
Coach Travis Green has adjusted each forward line, except for the Amadio-Pinto-Giroux combination. Leevi Merilainen will make his third consecutive start in goal, with Linus Ullmark still away from the team for personal reasons. The Senators are 6-3-1 in their last 10 games and are looking to climb into a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Players to Watch:
- Winnipeg Jets: Mark Scheifele, despite being left off Canada's Olympic roster, has been a key player for the Jets. Dylan Samberg's steady defensive play will also be crucial for the Jets to break their losing streak.
- Ottawa Senators: Tim Stutzle will be looking to have a big game on home ice, while Brady Tkachuk is expected to bring his usual physical presence. Drake Batherson is also on a hot streak, averaging more than a point per game.
Several players from both teams are set to represent their countries at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, including Hellebuyck and Kyle Connor for the United States, Josh Morrissey for Canada, and Nino Niederreiter for Switzerland. The Senators will send Brady Tkachuk and Jake Sanderson (USA), Nikolas Matinpalo (FIN), and Tim Stutzle (GER).
The Senators won the first matchup between these teams this season, a 3-2 overtime victory in Winnipeg on December 15th.
