Game Fifty-two: Winnipeg Jets (21-24-7) at Tampa Bay Lightning (33-14-4)
Time: 7:00 PM EST
Location: Benchmark International Arena, built on top of the grave of Jose Gaspar*
TV/Stream/Radio: The Spot, ESPN+, 102.5 FM, Lightning App
Odds: Lightning -192
Know the Opponents: Arctic Ice Hockey
It’s been the tradition for injured Lightning players to lead the stretches in their final practice before returning to the line-up, so we present to you, from yesterday’s practice:
McDonagh takes center stage for the stretch after practice to stick taps. Maybe we see his return tomorrow against the Jets.
#GoBolts
— Benjamin Pierce (@boltsben.bsky.social) January 28, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Ryan McDonagh is back, just in time to fill in for the Charle-Edouard D’Astous injury on the second pairing. Victor Hedman was skating in a regular jersey at the team’s optional morning skate on Thursday, so it looks like his return is creeping closer. The Bolts do have a couple of days off before the Stadium Series game on Sunday, so we should know more about his status this weekend.
The Jets are in town and it’s been a bit of a wobbly season for them as they’ve strung together some wins after a nine-game losing streak over late December and early January knocked them out of contention. In a top-heavy Western Conference, that type of losing streak is hard to recover from, especially in the Central Division where Colorado, Minnesota, and Dallas have all but wrapped up playoff spots already.
Winnipeg hasn’t been great on the road with a 9-14-2 record while posting, at best, mediocre stats in just about every category. They did start off their current road trip with a 4-3 victory over New Jersey with Connor Hellebuyck stopping 26 of 29 shots.
Part of their problem this season has been that they lack some of the depth that led them to the President’s Trophy and a spot in the Western Conference Final last season. They boast three 20-goal scorers in Mark Schiefele (26), Kyle Connor (23), and Gabe Vilardi (20), but it drops off after that.
Due to injuries and lack of performance, their defense hasn’t been able to offset the lack of scoring (they are 22nd over all at 2.92 GF/GP and 28th on the road at 2.64 GF/GP). Hellebuyck, who missed some time with an injury earlier in the season, always gives them a chance, but his numbers are down a bit from his usual Vezina-level performance. He comes into the night with a 2.70 GAA and a .902 SV%.
The Lightning are looking to keep things rolling in the win column. They bounced back nicely from their poor outing against Columbus to pick up a 2-0 win over Utah. The power play clicked twice to continue its resurgence (they are up to 13th in the league at 21.4%). Something to keep an eye on – Nikita Kucherov is currently tied with Vincent Lecavalier with 383 career goals. Kucherov’s next tally will put him into second place all time in franchise history. He currently trails franchise-leader Steven Stamkos by 172 goals. In his career, Kucherov has 13 goals in 22 games against Winnipeg.
While Winnipeg might not be having the season they hoped for, they will give the Bolts a test in what should be an entertaining game to finish off January.
Potential Lines
Tampa Bay Lightning
Forwards:
Brandon HagelAnthony Cirelli Nikita KucherovJake GuentzelDominic JamesGage GoncalvesZemgus GirgensonsYanni GourdePontus HolmbergJack FinleyNick PaulOliver Bjorkstrand
Defense:
J.J. MoserDarren RaddyshRyan McDonaghErik CernakDeclan CarlileMax Crozier
Goaltenders:
Andrei VasilevskiyJonas Johansson
Winnipeg Jets
Forwards:
Kyle ConnorMark ScheifeleAlex IafalloCole PerfettiJonathan ToewsGabe VilardiNino NiederreiterAdam LowryVlad NamestnikovCole KoepkeMorgan BarronTanner Pearson
Defense:
Josh MorrisseyDylan DemeloDylan SambergElias SalomonssonLogan StanleyLuke Schenn
Goaltenders:
Connor HellebuyckEric Comrie
*there is absolutely no truth to this statement whatsoever.