The Winnipeg Jets are heading into a difficult stretch with their backs against the wall, and Wednesday was used as a travel day before the trip really gets going in Tampa Bay. From there, Winnipeg will face the Panthers, Hurricanes and Canadiens, all while trying to snap a six-game losing streak against a Lightning team that has yet to lose at home at 5-0-0.
There’s no easing into this one. Morning skate for the Jets is set for 10:30 AM CT, and the lineup picture could get interesting in a hurry. Any major changes would be worth watching closely, with the pre-game report expected to provide the clearest update before puck drop at 6 PM CT.
While the Jets prepare for the opener of the trip, Manitoba had a rough night in Milwaukee. The Moose dropped a 3-0 decision to the Admirals, suffering their second straight loss for the first time this season and taking their first shutout defeat of the year.
The power play was stuck in neutral, going 0-for-7, and the offense never found a way to break through. The Moose now move on to Rockford, where they’ll finish this six-game road trip against the IceHogs tomorrow night.
There was also a notable prospect performance worth keeping tabs on. Jets goalie prospect Samuel Hrenák (2026 3rd) stopped 42 of 43 shots for Fargo, running his record to 8-2-0 with his sixth straight win for the Force.
He now owns a 1.82 GAA and a .944 save percentage. On the scoring side, forward Jacob Cloutier (2025 7th) picked up his fifth goal of the season for Saginaw, giving him 11 points (5G 6A) in 12 games.
Dima Zhilkin, the brother of Jets prospect Danny Zhilkin, earned the assist on the play, and Danny Zhilkin is currently tied for the OHL scoring lead.
In the local papers, the Winnipeg Free Press pointed to a shake-up as the Jets search for a way to get out of first gear. Mike outlined five possible moves the organization could consider before the season slides any further off course: split up Scheifele and Connor, give Bjorck a breather, raid the farm, sign a free agent, and make a coaching change.
In Other News...
Moose Suddenly Face A Scoring Concern Fans Can't Ignore
The Manitoba Moose walked into Milwaukee with a decent amount of puck possession and still came away empty, falling 3-0 to the Admirals in a game that turned into their first shutout loss of the season. It also marked their first back-to-back losses, a small but notable jolt for a club that had been building early momentum before the offense ran dry.
Manitoba still managed to outshoot Milwaukee, but the finishing touch was missing and the power play never found a way to break through. After opening the season with a strong record, the Moose are suddenly facing a scoring concern that is hard to overlook, especially with chances piling up and the goals not following. [Read more 🡒]
Lightning Get Timely Boost As Losing Skid Starts To Sting
Tampa Bay is getting some help back at a useful time, with Victor Hedman set to rejoin the lineup for the game against the Jets after sitting out. Brandon Hagel is also expected to be available, giving the Lightning a better chance to steady themselves after dropping their last two and trying to get back on track against a Winnipeg team that will be watching closely for any signs of a bounce-back.
The roster picture is not completely clean, though, with Zemgus Girgensons listed day-to-day as Tampa Bay sorts through the edges of its forward group. For the Jets, the matchup carries the usual test of handling a deep, experienced opponent when its core pieces are back in place, especially in a game where the Lightning are looking to turn a short skid into a quick reset. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Fans Have New Reasons To Watch The Moose Right Now
The Manitoba Moose head into one of their final road tests of the season Tuesday night against the Milwaukee Admirals, with coverage starting at 6:45 p.m. CDT, and there are plenty of Winnipeg-connected reasons to keep an eye on them. Evan Nause has quickly given the lineup a jolt after being recalled, while Danny Zhilkin and Noah Gregor have also been among the more notable contributors for Manitoba this season.
Thomas Milics recent milestone only adds to the appeal of watching this group closely, especially for Jets fans tracking the organizations next wave of depth. The Moose have had some encouraging individual developments lately, and this stretch on the road gives them another chance to show how those pieces fit together as the season winds down. [Read more 🡒]