GAMEDAY: Wild at Jets

WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Jets trip to California ended with a loss as the Jets fell to the Anaheim Ducks 3-2 in the second half of the back-to-back on Wednesday night. The Jets opened the two-game back-to-back set with a 4-3 victory over San Jose. Winnipeg hosts the Minnesota Wild in a Central Division matchup on Saturday night. The Jets have won both meetings against the Wild this season by scores of 2-1 in Winnipeg and 4-1 in St. Paul.

Winnipeg enters the day three points ahead of the Wild in the Central standings with Minnesota holding a game in hand.

"Obviously with Minnesota, the proximity, we played them exhibition, we play them lots, we've had some physical contests with them over the last couple of years. But I don't put any more emphasis over Dallas, Colorado, Utah – this is a divisional game and they're sitting right behind us," said head coach Scott Arniel.

"We want to grow that gap, point-wise. Yeah, it's a big divisional game for us. And I don't think that Minnesota is going to make us change our kind of game plan and how we approach it."

The Jets held an optional skate this morning at Canada Life Centre, so here are the line rushes and D pairings from Friday's practice.

Logan Stanley will not play tonight or against Toronto on Monday, so Ville Heinola will play his ninth game of the season tonight.

Despite the loss to Anaheim on Wednesday, WInnipeg was thrilled to have Nikolaj Ehlers back after a nine game absence with a lower body injury. The Danish forward had an assist and is hoping he's a step closer to being back to himself tonight.

“Last game, it wasn’t very good. My legs felt fine, it’s just that everything else was a step behind," said Ehlers.

"I didn’t like that, so I’m going to do everything that I can to be ready for the next game because I’ve got to be better.”

Since their historic start to the season, it feels like the Jets have been gettng every opponent's best game. Clearly, it is something they are aware of every night before they step on the ice.

"So there’s a challenge in that and there’s some pride in that. Obviously we want everybody’s best because that makes us be at our best and it’s a different role when you’re the hunted instead of hunting and when you had a great start like us you are where you are in the standings, we are definitely the hunted," said Dylan DeMelo.

"So, that’s a responsibility that we have to take on our shoulders. Enjoy that moment, enjoy those battles. It’s what we play for and we want to play against other teams best because like I said, that brings out the best in us."

The Jets have won seven consecutive games against the Wild and eight of the past 10 meetings. Winnipeg has held Minnesota to two or fewer goals in six of the past seven contests. In the last matchup, the Jets allowed a season high 44 shots against. Connor Hellebuyck was brillant that night and is expected to start against Minnesota tonight.