Tonight, the Winnipeg Jets face off against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome, with a scheduled puck drop at 9:30 p.m. ET. Here's a look at the projected lineups and what to expect from this matchup.
Winnipeg Jets (4-1-0)
The Winnipeg Jets have started the season strong, winning four straight after an initial loss. They're looking to continue their momentum on the road against a struggling Flames team. The Jets' offense has been clicking, averaging 4.2 goals per game, ranking them among the league's best. Their defense has also been solid, allowing just 2.4 goals per game.
Here's the projected lineup for the Jets:
- Forwards:
- Kyle Connor - Mark Scheifele - Gabriel Vilardi
- Nino Niederreiter - Jonathan Toews - Gustav Nyquist
- Alex Iafallo - Vladislav Namestnikov - Brad Lambert
- Cole Koepke - Morgan Barron - Tanner Pearson
- Defense:
- Josh Morrissey - Dylan DeMelo
- Logan Stanley - Neal Pionk
- Haydn Fleury - Luke Schenn
- Goalies:
- Connor Hellebuyck
- Eric Comrie
Brad Lambert was recalled from the Manitoba Moose of the AHL and will be making his season debut. Key injuries for the Jets include Cole Perfetti (ankle), Dylan Samberg (wrist), and Adam Lowry (hip surgery). Mark Scheifele leads the Jets in scoring with 9 points, recently surpassing Blake Wheeler as the franchise's all-time points leader. Veteran Jonathan Toews is finding his groove after returning to the NHL, recording three assists in five games. Connor Hellebuyck is expected to start in goal, boasting a 2.25 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage.
Calgary Flames (1-5-0)
The Calgary Flames, on the other hand, are off to a difficult start, sitting at the bottom of the league standings. They're currently on a five-game losing streak and have struggled both offensively and defensively. The Flames are hoping that returning home to the Scotiabank Saddledome will provide a much-needed boost.
Here's the projected lineup for the Flames:
- Forwards:
- Jonathan Huberdeau - Nazem Kadri - Joel Farabee
- Blake Coleman - Mikael Backlund - Matt Coronato
- Sam Honzek - Morgan Frost - Connor Zary
- Ryan Lomberg - Justin Kirkland - Adam Klapka
- Defense:
- Kevin Bahl - Rasmus Andersson
- Jake Bean - MacKenzie Weegar
- Joel Hanley - Zayne Parekh
- Goalies:
- Dustin Wolf
- Devin Cooley
Justin Kirkland will be returning to the lineup after sitting out the previous game. Yegor Sharangovich will be a healthy scratch. Martin Pospisil is currently injured. Nazem Kadri and Matt Coronato have been the leading scorers for Calgary thus far. Dustin Wolf is expected to start in goal, though he has struggled with a 3.62 goals-against average and a .877 save percentage.
Keys to the Game
- Jets' Offense vs. Flames' Goaltending: The Jets' high-scoring offense will be a tough test for the Flames' struggling goaltending.
- Flames' Defense: Calgary needs to improve defensively and limit the Jets' scoring opportunities.
- Special Teams: Winnipeg's penalty kill has been excellent, while Calgary needs to improve their penalty kill.
- Starting Goaltending: Both teams will rely on their starting goalies to provide solid performances.
Prediction
Given the Jets' strong start and the Flames' struggles, Winnipeg is favored to win this matchup. The Jets have been dominant on both ends of the ice, while the Flames have struggled to find consistency. Expect a high-scoring game with the Jets ultimately prevailing.