The Winnipeg Jets last home game against the Detroit Red Wings did not go as planned. After a slow 1st period, the Jets couldn’t generate enough offence, and ended up falling 4-2. Now on a 3 game losing streak, the Jets will take on the Nashville Predators tonight at Canada Life Centre. Despite a terrible start to the season, the Predators are finally starting to play good hockey in 2025, picking up wins in their last 2 games against the Canucks and Flames.

Last night (Monday), was one of the few nights in this NHL season where the Jets were not sitting at the top of the NHL standings. The red hot Vegas Golden Knights have taken a 1 point lead on the Jets with 2 games in hand. The Washington Capitals are now tied with the Jets with 56 points and 1 game in hand, while the Wild and Maple Leafs have also done well enough lately to get them near the top of the standings. The Nashville Predators have escaped the bottom of the NHL standings recently, and are currently 30th overall with a 13-20-7 record.

Tonight’s matchup between these two Central division opponents will be the 3rd time they’ve met in the 2024-25 season. On November 23rd, 2024 the Jets lost 4-1 to the Predators, which was a very unexpected result at the time. Overall, it was really just not a good team performance. On December 30th, 2024, the Jets avenged that defeat with a 3-0 win over the Predators, highlighted by a 22 save shutout from Connor Hellebuyck. The Jets are now 6-4-0 in their last 10 games against the Nashville Predators, so tonight’s game could be anyone’s game with the way each team is currently playing.

Some good news in terms of an injury scare last game; Colin Miller appears to be ok after taking a puck to the throat and exiting the game late. The Jets didn’t make any recalls from the Manitoba Moose today, so it’s likely that Miller will be available to suit up tonight. Dylan Samberg continues to progress well towards his return, as he now may be included as a close to full participant in the morning skate. Mason Appleton and Haydn Fleury remain “week to week”, with no recent updates on their status.

Tonight’s projected starting goalies are Juuse Saros (NSH) and Connor Hellebuyck (WPG). This duo may be up against one another in the Finland vs. USA game at the upcoming 4 Nations face off tournament in February. Juuse Saros, much like Hellebuyck, plays the majority of the games for the Predators in recent years, and he’s starting to play well as of late. Eric Comrie is a valid option for tonight, but I think that he will get a start on Friday night against the Kings before a back to back where the Jets will play the Avalanche on Saturday night. Hellebuyck’s numbers remain best (if not top 5) in all the main goalie statistics.

The Jets are now 3rd in the league for average goals scored (3.59), while the Predators are last (32nd) with only 2.45 goals per game on average. While the Predators top scorers and new free agency additions haven’t played to their pre-season expectations, they have excelled on the penalty kill. The Jets remain 1st in the league with a 31.45% on the powerplay, but tonight they will be up against the 3rd best penalty kill in the league, with the Predators PK sitting at 84.68%. I’m intrigued to see what the Jets powerplay can do tonight, as the special teams could play a big role in being able to pick up a win.

Tonight’s Tuesday night matchup will be available as usual on TSN 3/4, as well as on ESPN+ (if it is available in your region). Puck drop is at 7:00 pm CT, and if you are going to the game, try to be one of the first 7500 fans through the gates, as the Jets will be doing a “cooler bag giveaway” as part of their “Beat the Winter Blues” night. It’s time for the Jets to pick up win number 1 in 2025.