The Winnipeg Jets face the Calgary Flames on Saturday night at Scotiabank Saddledome, looking to snap a four-game skid on their Pacific Division road trip. Winnipeg holds a 10-7-0 record, while Calgary stands at 5-12-2 after a recent shutout victory. Puck drop is set for 9 p.m. CT.
The Winnipeg Jets conclude a challenging six-game, 13-day road trip against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. After dropping four of five games on the trek, including a 5-3 loss to the Seattle Kraken on Thursday where they surrendered a third-period lead, the Jets practiced defensive zone coverage on Friday to address high-danger chances given up.
Head coach Scott Arniel emphasized execution, noting, “The coverage side, that’s the mental side of just recognizing where your position is.” Forward Gustav Nyquist added, “We talk about it a lot, it’s just a matter of going out there and executing.” Adam Lowry highlighted the team's motivation: “There’s a sense of we need to get back on the right track, get back to playing how we’re capable of playing, structurally and playing with pace.” Luke Schenn, returning after a healthy scratch, will replace Colin Miller on defense.
Winnipeg leads the season series 7-4. Projected Jets lines include Kyle Connor with Mark Scheifele and Gabriel Vilardi up top, and Connor Hellebuyck in net. Scratches are Brad Lambert, Nikita Chibrikov, and Colin Miller; injured players Morgan Barron and Cole Koepke skated but won't return.
The Flames, fresh off a 2-0 shutout of the San Jose Sharks on Thursday, expect to use the same 18 skaters. Blake Coleman scored the game-winner for his seventh goal, while Samuel Honzek added an empty-netter. Projected lines feature Jonathan Huberdeau with Morgan Frost and Matt Coronato, Dustin Wolf in goal. Scratches include Joel Hanley and Yegor Sharangovich; injured are Martin Pospisil and Zayne Parekh.
Arniel stressed the Central Division's competitiveness: “We’re in the toughest division in the league. We need to start grabbing our points right now.” The game airs on Sportsnet, with radio on 680 CJOB and Power 97.