JGD Preseason #1: Hockey, hockey, hockey!
By Garret Hohl
8 years agoIt is time! Hockey will be played at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg.
While the game may not matter in terms of the scoreboard or the standings, this game will matter for many of the young Jets looking to turn some heads and earn a spot on the big club.
The Minnesota Wild are coming into Winnipeg after losing their preseason opener at the hands of the Buffalo Sabres. However, this is a different team with Mike Reilly, Tyler Graovac, and Kurtis Gabriel playing in both.
Let’s break it down:
LINES
Winnipeg Jets
Drew Stafford – Mark Scheifele – Blake Wheeler
Mathieu Perreault – Alexander Burmistrov – Nik Ehlers
Chris Thorburn – Nic Petan – Thomas Raffl
Brendan Lemieux – Andrew Copp – Joel Armia
Coach Paul Maurice looks at sending out some of the big guns in the home (preseason) opener. Six of the Jets starting top-nine will be featured at home. The only uncertainty is whether the sixth is Ehlers, Petan, or Copp. The Jets also are carrying what looks to be the front runners for the regular season’s fourth line in the team’s bottom six.
Tobias Enstrom – Dustin Byfuglien
Mark Stuart – Jacob Trouba
Josh Morrissey – Brenden Kichton
Like with the forwards, the Jets are dressing most of the big guns. Maurice reforms the extremely effective Buffstrom pairing, while the Jets two best defensive prospects fill up the third line.
Ondrej Pavelec
Connor Hellebuyck
Maurice stated that the Jets will be splitting duties between the goalies, so expect both Pavelec and Hellebuyck to get some time in net.
Minnesota Wild
Forwards:
Christoph Bertschy, Brett Bulmer, Ryan Carter, Charlie Coyle, Justin Fontaine, Kurtis Gabriel, Tyler Graovac, Marc Hagel, Erik Haula, Michael Keranen, Jordan Schroeder, Brett Sutter, Thomas Vanek
Defensemen:
Matt Dumba, Maxim Fortunus, Gustav Olofsson, Zach Palmquist, Mike Reilly, Marco Scandella, Tyson Strachan
Goaltenders:
Niklas Backstrom, Darcy Kuemper
You know it’s preseason when the opposition is dressing two more players than the limit. While there is some NHL experience in Minnesota’s roster, the Wild are bringing quite a few of their young and inexperienced players. Expect Niklas Backstrom to get the start.
Predictions
Game Day Predictions: The Jets win, as it should be.
Obvious Predictions: The fans get super excited on the Jets young skilled players.
Not So Obvious Predictions: The game is closer than many expected given the rosters and a few voices raise their concern.
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