After just over two weeks without NHL action (not including the 4 Nations, of course), 28 teams, including the Winnipeg Jets, will resume play tonight. The Jets will face off against the St. Louis Blues at the Enterprise Center.

The Jets’ last game was on February 7th against the visiting New York Islanders. That game extended their winning streak to eight games with a 4-3 regulation victory. Gabriel Vilardi recorded two goals, while Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele each produced a pair of assists. Connor Hellebuyck was outstanding in net, making 32 saves and posting a .914 SV%.

The Blues, meanwhile, are coming off a 6-5 shootout win over the Chicago Blackhawks. Robert Thomas stood out in that game, recording one goal and one assist. Blues goalie Jordan Binnington, on the other hand, struggled. He faced just 21 shots, stopping only 16 for a poor .762 SV%.

Tonight’s matchup will be the third-to-last meeting between these two teams this season. The first matchup was on October 22nd in St. Louis, a 3-2 Jets win in regulation. The Blues, however, bounced back in Winnipeg on December 3rd with a dominant 4-1 victory, tying the season series at 1-1.

Eric Comrie will get the start in net for the Jets after Connor Hellebuyck recently played in the 4 Nations championship game on Thursday. It makes sense for Hellebuyck to get a break before returning to the starting role. Comrie, often underestimated, has a 5-7-1 record, a .912 SV%, and a 2.58 GAA. He’s also coming off a shutout win in his last start, a 3-0 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes.

Joel Hofer is expected to start for St. Louis in place of Binnington, for similar reasons. Hofer, a hometown Winnipeg product, holds a 10-7-1 record, a .903 SV%, and a 2.88 GAA. His last outing was a 3-2 loss to Florida, in which he stopped 31 of 34 shots for a .912 SV%.

Scott Arniel confirmed that Josh Morrissey and Connor Hellebuyck will not play tonight. However, Kyle Connor, who was a healthy scratch on Thursday for Team USA, will return to the lineup.

Connor – Scheifele – Vilardi

Ehlers – Namestnikov – Perfetti

Niederreiter – Lowry – Appleton

Iafallo – Gustafsson – Kupari

Samberg – Pionk

Stanley – DeMelo

Heinola – Miller

Comrie

Kahkonen

Neighbours – Thomas – Buchnevich

Holloway – Schenn – Kyrou

Joseph – Sundqvist – Bolduc

Toropchenko – Faksa – Walker

Fowler – Parayko (?)

Broberg – Faulk

Suter – Leddy

Hofer

Binnington (?)

Tonight’s matchup is available to watch on SNW and puck drop is at 6:00 p.m. CT.