GAMEDAY: Blues at Jets

WINNIPEG – The most important week of the Winnipeg Jets season begins tonight against the St. Louis Blues at Canada Life Centre.

The Jets have five games left in the regular season schedule and have a head-to-head clash with the Dallas Stars in Texas on Thursday, Winnipeg holding a three-point edge in the Central standings.

But before the Jets can even begin to think about that game, they have to figure out a way to solve the Blues, who have won a franchise record 12 straight games coming into tonight.

So clearly, they're playing great, probably feeling a lot of confidence. So, for us, it's a great test, we got five to go here and try and continue to push for first place,” said Josh Morrissey who is facing the Blues for the 29^th time in the regular season tonight.

“So, it's a big opportunity for us to play a big, meaningful game.”

Winnipeg knows all about long winning streaks this season, their longest was an 11-game run earlier in 2024-25.

Their best players are their best players, their role players have really bought into what they need to do, and they're feeling it right now,” said head coach Scott Arniel.

“And we know what it's like when you get on those rolls like that, you feel good about coming the rink and playing games. We’re really hoping to wreck their party tonight.”

Make sure to tune into the Jets pregame show at 12:30 CT on X, Facebook at YouTube.

Saturday, the Jets were missing Nikolaj Ehlers, Gabe Vilardi and Neal Pionk and even though they have survived long stretches without key players in their lineup, missing two of their top six forwards can’t be ignored. Much like Saturday, Ehlers will be a gametime decision.

If Ehlers doesn’t go, you have to wonder if Arniel will put Cole Perfetti back up with Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor on the Jets top line. The trio had some real good looks in the third period in the 4-1 loss in Utah.

"I was just kinda mixing all the lines up a little bit, just to get a spark. Those three guys have skill, and Cole holds onto pucks and does kind of what Scheif and 'KC' do so I felt I just wanted to get those guys out there as much as possible,” said Arniel on Saturday.

“They spent an awful lot of time in that end of the rink, was hoping for a little bit more but they had some real good opportunities."

Tonight, will also feature another meeting between the Schenn brothers with the Jets Luke going up against the Blues Brayden.

“We don't take these opportunities for granted and obviously, we're both, obviously, in the latter stages of our careers,” said Luke.

“It's special for us to get the opportunity to this. It's special for friends and family who've been supportive and follow us throughout our careers.”

Connor Hellebuyck will look for his league leading 44^th win and continue his pursuit of the Vezina and Hart Trophy’s in a must watch goaltending battle. He leads the league in wins (43), goals-against average (2.04), save percentage (.924) and shutouts (7). He could be the first goalie since 1986 (Bob Froese) to finish the season in all four major statistical categories.

Winnipeger Joel Hofer will get the start at the other for St. Louis, he is 2-1-1 with a 2.01 goals against average and .931 save percentage against his hometown team.

The Jets have captured points in eight of the past 10 contests against the Blues at home (6-2-2) and have won five of the past six matchups. Winnipeg’s power play, however, has gone 0-for-18 over the past five games at home against the Blues. All six of the most recent games have been decided by multiple goals.