Jets, Predators prepare for key Western Conference wild card showdown

WINNIPEG -- The Winnipeg Jets and Nashville Predators each look to keep the fate of their Stanley Cup Playoff chances within their control when they play at Canada Life Centre on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; CITY, SNW, BSSO, ESPN+, SN NOW).

"We need to get it done," Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey said. "We're playing meaningful games with a chance to get into the playoffs, and we control our own destiny, really. Yeah, it's a great opportunity.
"Let's just win the next four games. I guess [if] we do that we control our own fate, as I've been saying. That's the opportunity that we have here is, we win our games, we get a chance to go to the playoffs. The ball's in our court."
Winnipeg is tied with the Calgary Flames for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference. Heading into Saturday, the Predators are one point behind the Jets and Flames. They have a game in hand on the Flames, whom they play Monday in Calgary.
"Two of the biggest games of the year, I think we're ready to make a push," Nashville forward Michael McCarron said following a 3-0 win against the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday. "If we can continue to find ways to win, who knows? I think if we continue to play like this, teams will be looking at us."
Though the Predators are trying furiously to get to the postseason --- they were eight points back March 1 -- the Jets are trying to hang on; they were one point out of second place in the Central Division on Feb. 24.
"We're in the middle of the fire," Winnipeg forward Blake Wheeler said. "Right in the middle of it. We haven't accomplished anything, nothing's over with, yet. I guess we'll find out what we're made of."
Nashville has opened eyes down the stretch, going 10-7-2 since the NHL Trade Deadline on March 3. Predators general manager David Poile found himself a seller in the days leading up to the deadline, moving on from veteran defenseman Mattias Ekholm (Edmonton Oilers), as well as forwards Mikael Granlund (Pittsburgh Penguins), Tanner Jeannot (Tampa Bay Lightning), and Nino Niederreiter (Jets).
Nashville has also been without key veterans due to injury; a list that currently includes defenseman Roman Josi (11 games), and forwards Filip Forsberg (28), Matt Duchene (six), and Ryan Johansen (23), who are all expected to be out on Saturday.
Winnipeg has gone the other direction, however, losing 12 of 18 games after holding a Western Conference-best record of 29-14-1 on Jan. 16. Since that stretch, the Jets have stabilized with a record of 8-7-1 to help them stay in the playoff picture.
"[The Predators] weren't supposed to be here, so nothing to lose, right?" Winnipeg coach Rick Bowness said. "I like where our team is. We had a good talk yesterday morning just about the Calgary game, but all our focus this morning was on getting ready for Nashville. The guys are loose, we had a good practice, so we'll see how they show up tomorrow.
"There's a lot of pressure on both teams. They're not expected to be here, and we weren't supposed to be here in the situation we're in. But we are, so deal with it and make the best of it."
One goal decided each of the three previous games between the Predators and Jets this season. Winnipeg won 2-1 on Dec. 15 and 3-2 on March 18, both in overtime. Nashville came away with a 2-1 win in regulation on Jan. 24. In those games, Nashville's Juuse Saros and Winnipeg's Connor Hellebuyck combined for 184 saves and .944 save percentage.

"They are both fantastic goalies having great seasons," Morrissey said. "When you've got goaltenders playing that well and feeling it, it's all about getting to the net, second-effort opportunities and capitalizing on chances. Not letting them see the puck and not letting it be an easy night for them with shots just from the outside."
Hellebuyck (61) and Saros (60) are first and second in the NHL in starts, with the workhorse goalies tied for sixth in save percentage at .918.
"Connor's an elite goaltender and he wants the ball," Bowness said of Hellebuyck set to make his 11th straight start Saturday." That's what you love about those guys, that they want the ball. They want to be in the net in big situations. So yeah, it's his [62nd] game, but he's fresh.
"He had the day off [Thursday], he went out early today with [Jets goaltending coach Wade Flaherty] and did his work, so mentally he's in the right spot. Physically, he's in the right spot because we've had a break in the schedule. I'm glad he's going in the net for us and I'm glad he wants the ball. I like our chances with him in the net."
Predators coach John Hynes said, "When you have strong goaltending it gives you a chance every night, and then I think you need to build your game around that.
"This is what our goal has been, is to continue to push down the stretch and play in meaningful games and play in big games, and take the lessons out of each game and try to be better in the next one… obviously another big one coming against Winnipeg."