Photo Credit: Conrad Jack (Inside The Rink)
Winnipeg Jets (21-25-7) at Florida Panthers (28-22-3)
Venue: Amerant Bank Arena
Date: Tonight – Saturday, January 31
Time: 3:00 pm CST
How To Watch: TSN3
Radio: 680 CJOB
Purchase tickets via Ticketmaster
Winnipeg Jets News & Notes:
The Winnipeg Jets continue their battle to stay out of the basement of the NHL. They’re rebounding from a 4-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, and they’ll look to end the Florida leg of the road trip on a high note. Winnipeg recently got Neal Pionk back in practice, even though he’s only skating in a non-contact jersey; it’s a positive sign for one of the Jets’ top defenders. Winnipeg is 5-3-2 in their last 10 games played and sits 10 points out of a wildcard spot.
Florida Panthers News & Notes:
Florida welcomes the Winnipeg Jets into their home arena as these two teams are in a desperation rematch after their 2-1 shootout game just a couple of weeks ago. The Panthers, who are dealing with a handful of injuries, are dealing with Brad Marchand going back on the shelf. Florida is eight points out of a wildcard spot and looks to close the gap against the Boston Bruins, who are in front of them. Florida is 6-4-0 in their last 10 games played.
Winnipeg Jets Projected Lines
Connor – Scheifele – Vilardi
Perfetti – Toews – Iafallo
Niederreiter – Lowry – Namestnikov
Koepke – Barron – Pearson
Morrissey – DeMelo
Samberg – Salomonsson
Stanley – Schenn
Hellebuyck
Comrie
Florida Panthers Projected Lines
Verhaeghe – Rodrigues – Reinhart
Samoskevich – Bennett – Tkachuk
Luostarinen – Schwindt – Boqvist
Vilmanis – Kunin – Greer
Forsling – Ekblad
Mikkola – Balinskis
Bjornfot – Petry
Bobrovsky
Tarasov
Players To Watch:
Winnipeg Jets
Jonathan Toews has quieted down, but still remains a big piece of the Winnipeg Jets’ offence, even at this stage of his career and season. He’ll look to take charge tonight as Winnipeg attempts to get back into the win column.
Josh Morrissey will look to be the anchor that Winnipeg is looking for against a hard-hitting opponent like Florida. If the Jets can push themselves into an early lead due to Morrissey’s contributions, they’ll be in a good spot to get back into the win column.
Florida Panthers
Sergei Bobrovsky aims to be the centre piece of Florida’s triumphant run to get into a playoff spot. The Panthers will rely on their veteran netminder to help them string together wins.
Matthew Tkachuk will be Florida’s top contributor tonight as the Panthers look to close the gap between them and the second wildcard spot. Tkachuk will look to post a big game as the Panthers hunt to take the season series over Winnipeg.
Next game
Winnipeg Jets – February 2 vs Dallas Stars
Florida Panthers – February 2 vs Buffalo Sabres
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Conrad Jack is a Manitoba-based media credentialed sportswriter covering the Winnipeg Jets (NHL) and the Manitoba Moose (AHL). He also covers the NHL Draft and World Junior Championship for ITR. He also covers league-wide news in his weekly series ‘Saturday’s notebook’ and through individual articles.