The Winnipeg Jets was blown away 5-1 by the Buffalo sabers on Monday night, and after captain Adam Lowry called a closed-door team meeting, you would have expected changes in the lineup, especially since Winnipeg had dropped nine of its last 13 games.
During the morning skate in Montreal, Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press reported several changes during line rushes. Neal Pionk returns from injury and withdraws, along with Elias Salomonsson and Cole Koepke. Luke Schenn, Colin Miller and Gustav Nyquist will be healthy scratches tonight.
Line rushes:
Connor–Scheifele–Vilardi
Substitutes – Toews – Perfetti
Niederreiter – Lowry – Appleton
Koepke-Barron-Pearson
Morrissey-DeMelo
Samberg – Pionk
Stanley-Salomonsson
Comrie
Militia
McIntyre also noticed a change in the power play, with Alex Iafallo moving to the first unit, while Cole Perfetti switched back to the second.
In my eyes, tonight is a must-win game for the Jets, maybe not a must-win, but it’s certainly the time of year when you need to string wins together. Waiting until February to clinch a spot in the playoffs isn’t exactly ideal, especially considering how tight the Western Conference is.
Winnipeg will see Buffalo again on Friday at the Canada Life Center and tonight’s game in Montreal against the Canadians would only increase the pressure heading home after potentially going 1-4-0 on this road trip, especially after being embarrassed by the Sabers on Monday night. The Jets will also play back-to-back on Saturday in Edmonton against the Oil squirters.
It has to start with a win tonight in Montreal. Puck drop is at 6:30 PM CST on Sportsnet.
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