Jets vs. Canadiens Preview: Lineups, Injuries, and What to Watch For
The Winnipeg Jets roll into Montreal tonight looking to build some momentum after a rocky start to the season. Sitting at 13-12-0, they’ll face off against a Canadiens squad that’s been punching above its weight at 13-9-3.
Puck drops at 7:30 p.m. ET at the Bell Centre.
Let’s break down the projected lineups, key injuries, and what fans should be keeping an eye on.
Projected Jets Lineup
Forwards
- Kyle Connor - Mark Scheifele - Gabriel Vilardi
- Vladislav Namestnikov - Jonathan Toews - Cole Perfetti
- Nino Niederreiter - Adam Lowry - Alex Iafallo
- Cole Koepke - Morgan Barron - Tanner Pearson
Defense
- Josh Morrissey - Dylan DeMelo
- Dylan Samberg - Neal Pionk
- Logan Stanley - Elias Salomonsson
Goaltenders
- Eric Comrie
- Thomas Milic
Scratches: Luke Schenn, Colin Miller, Gustav Nyquist
Injured: Haydn Fleury (concussion), Connor Hellebuyck (knee)
Status Update:
Neal Pionk is back in the lineup after missing four games with a lower-body injury, and that’s a big boost for Winnipeg’s blue line.
The Jets have missed his mobility and puck-moving ability, especially with Hellebuyck out. Rookie Elias Salomonsson will skate in just his third NHL game after sitting the last two as a healthy scratch.
Also returning is Cole Koepke, who draws in for the first time in five games.
With Hellebuyck sidelined, the crease belongs to Eric Comrie tonight, with Thomas Milic backing him up. It’s a big opportunity for Comrie to steady the ship and prove he can shoulder the load in a tough spot.
Projected Canadiens Lineup
Forwards
- Cole Caufield - Nick Suzuki - Zack Bolduc
- Juraj Slafkovsky - Oliver Kapanen - Ivan Demidov
- Alexandre Texier - Jake Evans - Josh Anderson
- Florian Xhekaj - Joe Veleno - Brendan Gallagher
Defense
- Mike Matheson - Noah Dobson
- Jayden Struble - Lane Hutson
- Arber Xhekaj - Alexandre Carrier
Goaltenders
- Sam Montembeault
- Jakub Dobes
Scratches: Adam Engstrom, Jared Davidson
Injured: Kirby Dach (broken foot), Alex Newhook (broken ankle), Kaiden Guhle (lower body), Patrik Laine (lower body)
Status Update:
Montreal didn’t hold a morning skate after dropping a 5-2 decision to the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday, so tonight’s lineup reflects the most recent combinations.
The Canadiens are still navigating a tough stretch of injuries, especially up front with Dach and Newhook out long-term. That’s opened the door for young players like Ivan Demidov and Zack Bolduc to get meaningful minutes in the top six.
On the back end, Mike Matheson continues to log heavy minutes, and he’ll be paired with Noah Dobson again. This pairing has shown flashes of chemistry, and they’ll be leaned on heavily to slow down Winnipeg’s top line.
What to Watch Tonight
- Jets’ Goaltending Situation: With Hellebuyck out, all eyes are on Comrie. He doesn’t need to steal the game, but he does need to be steady. The Jets have struggled with defensive breakdowns, and Montreal has enough speed to capitalize if Comrie isn’t sharp early.
- Montreal’s Young Core: The Canadiens are leaning heavily on their youth, and that’s not just out of necessity-it’s by design. Slafkovsky, Kapanen, and Demidov are getting real ice time in meaningful situations. This is a chance for them to prove they can drive play against a veteran Jets lineup.
- Pionk’s Return: Winnipeg’s defense has been stretched thin lately, and getting Pionk back should help settle things down. Look for him to take on tough minutes, especially if the Canadiens’ top line starts buzzing.
- Battle of the Bottom Six: Both teams are trying to generate more from their depth lines. The third and fourth lines could be the difference-makers tonight, especially if the top units cancel each other out.
Two teams with similar records but different trajectories meet tonight in Montreal. The Jets are trying to find consistency, while the Canadiens are looking to ride their youthful energy to another home win. With key injuries on both sides and some fresh faces in the mix, this one has all the makings of a sneaky-good midweek matchup.