In a huge Central Division matchup between the Winnipeg Jets and Colorado Avalanche, Jared Bednar is making a bit of a statement.
Ivan Prosvetov, not Alexandar Georgiev, will be starting in net for the Avalanche against the Jets. The 24 year old Russian played well in relief on Monday, and won the game on Wednesday, so Bednar turning to him again. Georgiev will almost certainly start tomorrow against the Sharks, but it’s a bit of a statement to start Prosvetov against a team battling Colorado for first place.
With the move of Tomas Tatar on Friday, Ben Meyers will get an opportunity to move up the lineup. He’s expected to play with Ryan Johansen and Jonathan Drouin, adding some speed to that line.
Both Cale Makar and Josh Manson are expected to play. If either can’t go, Caleb Jones will step in.
The Jets will turn to their elite goaltender against the Avalanche. Hellebuyck is one of the few workhorse goaltenders left in the league, so it makes sense to ride him. The Avalanche will catch a bit of a break, though.
Kyle Connor, the Jets best forward, will not play against the Avalanche. He was taken out by a knee-on-knee hit from Ryan Strome and will miss 6-8 weeks. I’m surprised Strome wasn’t suspended, but I guess I shouldn’t be with the way the Department of Player safety works.
The winner of this game will take over first place in the Central Division.
Expected Colorado Avalanche Lines
Valeri Nichushkin – Nathan MacKinnon – Mikko Rantanen
Ben Meyers – Ryan Johansen – Jonathan Drouin
Miles Wood – Ross Colton – Logan O’Connor
Andrew Cogliano – Fredrik Olofsson – Joel Kiviranta
Defense
Devon Toews – Cale Makar
Bowen Byram – Josh Manson
Jack Johnson – Sam Malinski
Goalies
Ivan Prosvetov
Expected Winnipeg Jets Lineup
Ehlers – Scheifele – Vilardi
Perfetti – Namestnikov – Iafallo
Niederreiter – Lowry – Appleton
Barron – Gustafsson – Jonsson-Fjallby
Defense:
Morrisey – Demelo
Dillon – Pionk
Samberg – Schmidt
Goalies:
Connor Hellebuyck
Special Teams
Colorado Avalanche Power Play: 19.3%, 18th in NHL
Colorado Avalanche Penalty Kill: 85.9%, 6th in NHL
Winnipeg Jets Power Play: 16.3%, 24th in NHL
Winnipeg Jets Penalty Kill: 75.3%, 27th in NHL
How to Watch
TV: Altitude TV 2, ESPN+
Radio: 950 AM
Game Time: 5:00 PM MST