JGD Preseason #5: Jets take on Senators in rivalry-free meaningless hockey

The Jets look to pick up their first win of the preseason at the MTS Centre tonight, where they take on the Ottawa Senators at 7 pm. You can catch the action on TSN3.

Preseason hockey may not mean much, but this is uh, not exactly a battle of the titans. The Jets look to improve their 0-2-2 record, which is just a hair worse than the Senators’ 1-3-1 record so far this preseason.

The records are a bit of a misdirect, though, since those games have been played largely by prospects and NHL hopefuls. Fortunately for those paying to watch this game, the Jets will ice a better squad than they did on Sunday in Minnesota – and the less said about that one, the better.

Most of the names on this roster are familiar faces for Jets fans. The pressure will be on for rookies Nik Ehlers, Andrew Copp, and Nic Petan to prove they belong on the roster for the start of the regular season.

The Senators brought their stars to play, too: Karlsson, Turris, and Ryan among them. This game will be the first true test for the Jets this preseason. The four preseason games the Jets have played to date don’t matter one bit. 

But the Winnipeg roster that hits the ice tonight looks strikingly similar to the group that will step on the ice day one of the regular season – as does Ottawa’s. The importance of tonight’s game in actual terms is still nil, but lines are being evaluated with a microscope. Fringe players are looking at one of their last chances to prove themselves – and this time it’s with actual NHL linemates, against actual NHL competition.

Also, note the Senators are dressing former Jet Eric O`Dell.

Game day prediction: The Jets pick up their first win tonight in a closely-contested game. 5-4.

Obvious prediction: Karlsson v Byfuglien will be roughly the most fun thing to watch that has ever happened. Like two comets hurtling through space, bound for collision.

Less obvious prediction: Nik Ehlers puts one (or more) on the board. Lining up with Matthieu Perreault and Adam Lowry is a good gig, especially compared to the alternative – that fourth line is, well, not as good.