JGD82: The End Is Upon Us As The Jets Close The Season Out
7 years ago
Welcome to the final game of the regular season for the Winnipeg Jets as they face the Nashville Predators. The long and arduous season is finally done and we can reflect upon what this year has brought us. Currently, the Jets are on their longest win streak of the 2016-17 season, 6 games, and hope to make it 7 games. This win streak is the longest streak since the Jets relocated to Winnipeg.
The Jets are 18-8-2 against the Central Division this season, go figure, but could not figure out how to play out of division games and as a result, are stuck playing golf for the rest of the year.
The Predators are tweaking their line up, making sure they have the right mix for game one of the playoffs. Hopefully the Jets can give them more questions than answers.
Winnipeg Jets (39-35-7, 5th in the Central Division)
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
 Nikolaj Ehlers |  Mark Scheifele |  Blake Wheeler |
 Mathieu Perreault |  Bryan Little |  Patrik Laine |
 Brandon Tanev |  Adam Lowry |  Joel Armia |
 Kyle Connor |  Andrew Copp |  Chris Thorburn |
The forward group has many Jets fans banging their heads against the wall as Tanev and Thorburn stay in the lineup while Dano and Petan sit. As well, Jack Roslovic was sent back down to the Moose after playing only one game. Luckily, Kyle Connor will play in this final game, but he is stuck on the fourth line. Management cannot decide if they want to see what they got with their youngsters, or make them earn their positions, or be faithful to their vets.
Luckily, the Jets have some bright stars in their line up. They are one of two teams with four players (Scheifele, Laine, Ehlers, Wheeler) reaching 60 or more points. The Leafs are the other team. Wheeler is entering the final game on a 7 game point streak, while Scheifele leads the Jets with 81 points. Laine currently sits at 36 goals. Wouldn’t it be cool if Laine could some how reach the 40 goal plateau tonight?
| Defensive Pairings | |
|---|---|
 Josh Morrissey |  Jacob Trouba |
 Julian Melchiori |  Dustin Byfuglien |
 Mark Stuart |  Nelson Nogier |
The Jets were hoping Myers could draw in for the final game, but he is not 100 percent in his recovery from injury. Jacob Trouba scored two goals against the Blue Jackets and has officially set his place in the elite defender conversation. We already knew he was already there, but now the whole league knows. Paired with Trouba is Josh Morrissey, who has complimented Trouba quite well. The rookie has been a pleasant addition to the Jets’ line up and they are lucky he was able to step up this season.
Will this be Mark Stuarts last game as a Winnipeg Jet? We will see, maybe there is enough youth ready to keep him sitting in the press box or down in the AHL playing with the Moose.
Connor Hellebuyck is poised to get the final start of the year.
Nashville Predators (41-28-12, 4th in the Central Division)
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
 Filip Forsberg |  Ryan Johansen |  James Neal |
 Viktor Arvidsson |  Calle Jarnkrok |  Craig Smith |
 Kevin Fiala |  Colton Sissons |  P.A. Parenteau |
 Harry Zolnierczyk |  Austin Watson |  Miikka Salomaki |
The Jets will have their work cut out for them as they hope to shut the Predators down. Arvidsson and Johansen are tied at 61 points for the team lead in points. Arvidsson and Forsberg are tied for goal scoring lead at 31 goals.
Laviolette is busy seeing which line up combination is optimal as he tests to see where Salomaki is at. Mike Fisher, Yannick Weber and Ryan Ellis sit tonight.
| Defensive Pairings | |
|---|---|
 Roman Josi |  Matt Irwin |
 Mattias Ekholm |  P.K. Subban |
 Brad Hunt |  Anthony Bitetto |
Brad Hunt draws in tonight to give him some work before the playoffs, in case he is called upon. Roman Josi leads all Predators defenseman with 49 points in the 2016-17 season.
Pekka Rinne will get the nod in net for the Predators. He is 31-18-9 with a GAA of 2.43 and a save percentage of .917.
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