The Winnipeg Jets were blown out 5-1 by the Buffalo Sabres on Monday night, and after captain Adam Lowry called a closed-door team meeting, you would’ve expected changes to the lineup, especially with Winnipeg having dropped nine of its last 13 games.

At the morning skate in Montreal, Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press reported several changes during line rushes. Neal Pionk returns from injury and draws back in, joined by Elias Salomonsson and Cole Koepke. Luke Schenn, Colin Miller, and Gustav Nyquist will be healthy scratches tonight.

Connor – Scheifele – Vilardi

Namestnikov – Toews – Perfetti

Niederreiter – Lowry – Appleton

Koepke – Barron – Pearson

Morrissey – DeMelo

Samberg – Pionk

Stanley – Salomonsson

Comrie

Milic

McIntyre also noted a change up on the power play: Alex Iafallo moves up to the first unit, while Cole Perfetti shifts down to the second.

In my mind, tonight is a game the Jets need to win, maybe not a must-win, but it’s definitely the time of year when you need to start stringing victories together. Waiting until February to push for a playoff spot isn’t exactly ideal, especially with how tight the Western Conference tends to be.

Winnipeg will see Buffalo again on Friday at Canada Life Centre, and dropping tonight’s game in Montreal against the Canadiens would only add pressure heading home after potentially going 1-4-0 on this road trip, especially after being embarrassed by the Sabres on Monday night. The Jets will also play another back-to-back on Saturday in Edmonton against the Oilers.

It has to start with a win tonight in Montreal. Puck drop is at 6:30 p.m. CST on Sportsnet.