The New Jersey Devils are in Winnipeg tonight looking to extend their winning streak to four games and tie their season long in the process.
Standing in the way will be the 26th place Winnipeg Jets who, despite having won just 21 of 47 games to date, sit eight points out of a playoff spot (with two games in hand over Colorado) and have a lot to play for.
Though the Jets haven't had much success this season they remain a dangerous team with plenty of high-end talent at each position.
Their top line has been nothing short of excellent for a few years now, Dustin Byfuglien is a beast, Jacob Trouba is developing into a beast and Connor Hellebuyck has quietly emerged as one of the top young goaltenders in the NHL.
The Jets may not be the deepest of teams but they have plenty of high-end talent and will be anything but pushovers; especially in their own barn.
LINEUPS Cammalleri - Henrique - Stempniak Blandisi - Zajac - Palmieri Boucher - Josefson - Kalinin Ruutu - Gionta - Tootoo
Greene - Larsson Helgeson - Severson Gelinas - Schlemko
Schneider
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Ladd - Little - Wheeler Armia - Perrault - Ehlers Thorburn - Copp - Halischuk Lipon - Cormier - Peluso
Trouba - Byfuglien Enstrom - Myers Stuart - Chiarot
Hellebuyck
Notes
1) Connor Hellebuyck has a .930 save percentage through 20 starts this season. Cory Schneider has a .928 save percentage through 40 starts this season. Expect a goaltending battle.
2) Dustin Byfuglien has been practicing at forward on the power play over the last couple days and figures to be used as a screen-man in front. The Devils don't have many big bodies on the back end who can handle that kind of presence so that's a matchup the Jets may be able to take advantage of.
3) If the Devils stay disciplined they'll have a good chance of winning this game as a) the Jets have a lack of depth that New Jersey can expose at evens and b) the Jets are prone to taking penalties so the Devils should have at least a few PP opportunities.
The game is at 7:00 eastern and can be seen on Sportsnet and MSG+2.
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