Winnipeg Jets (2-0-0) at St Louis Blues (0-2-0)
Venue: Enterprise Center
Date: Tonight – Thursday, April 24th
Time: 8:30 pm CST
TV: ESPN2, Sportsnet, CBC, TVAS
Radio: 680 CJOB (Winnipeg) & 101 ESPN (St. Louis)
DraftKings Sportsbook Betting Lines:
St. Louis Blues +1.5 ML +100
Winnipeg Jets -1.5 ML -120
O/U 5.5
Purchase tickets via Ticketmaster
St. Louis Blues News & Notes:
St. Louis Blues forward Robert Thomas missed a second consecutive practice for the team, but is expected to draw into the lineup ahead of game three per head coach Jim Montgomery.
The Blues have yet to give any updates regarding the status of Dylan Holloway, and it is to be expected that this will be the case in game four.
The Blues look to take advantage of home ice as they welcome the Jets to St. Louis down in the series by two games.
Related: Winnipeg Jets vs St. Louis Blues Series Preview
Winnipeg Jets News & Notes:
The big news surrounding the Winnipeg Jets heading into game three was the health status of Gabriel Vilardi and Nikolaj Ehlers.
Vilardi, who practiced in a yellow non-contact jersey on Wednesday morning, will travel with the Jets to St. Louis for the current two-game set. Vilardi is unlikely to draw into the lineup for game three, but the practice jersey colour and confirmation will come later today.
Vilardi has yet to practice without contact, obviously due to his non-contact jersey, but a return to game action will be considered once he practices with contact.
Ehlers will not travel with the team as he’s still a bit of time out from skating and drawing into the lineup. He’s still officially week-to-week and will likely be joining the Jets later in the playoffs.
Other practice notes saw Dylan DeMelo absent from practice on Wednesday for maintenance purposes. He is expected to be available for the Winnipeg Jets as they shape up for game three tonight.
The final notes from Wednesday’s practice were Rasmus Kupari upgrading to a full participant in Jets’ practice. Line rushes indicate that he will be a healthy scratch tonight, but having him available will give the Jets a much-needed boost should any other injuries unfortunately happen.
St. Louis Blues Projected Lines
Jimmy Snuggerud – Robert Thomas – Pavel Buchnevich
Jake Neighbours – Brayden Schenn – Jordan Kyrou
Alexey Toropchenko – Radek Faska – Nathan Walker
Tyler Tucker – Oskar Sundqvist – Zack Bolduc
Cam Fowler – Colton Parayko
Philip Broberg – Justin Faulk
Ryan Suter – Nick Leddy
Jordan Binnington
Joel Hofer
Winnipeg Jets Projected Lines
Kyle Connor – Mark Scheifele – Alex Iafallo
Nino Niederreiter – Vladislav Namestnikov – Cole Perfetti
Brandon Tanev – Adam Lowry – Mason Appleton
David Gustafsson – Morgan Barron – Jaret Anderson-Dolan
Josh Morrissey – Dylan DeMelo
Dylan Samberg – Neal Pionk
Logan Stanley – Luke Schenn
Connor Hellebuyck
Eric Comrie
Players To Watch:
St. Louis Blues
Jordan Binnington will be looking to feed off the home crowd in game three. After a couple of games that he probably would like back, Binnington is in a situation where he could strap a rocket of confidence to the back of the Blues.
Jimmy Snuggerud was excellent in game two, and the biggest factor in his game was his shot. He tied the game late in the first period, but St. Louis couldn’t generate much offence after that. The Blues will be looking up and down the lineup for scoring if they want to get a hot start to game three, and Jimmy Snuggerud could be that make-or-break player.
Winnipeg Jets
Alex Iafallo has been a force for the Winnipeg Jets since being called upon by the Jets to play on the top line. He’s been consistent in the first two games and has contributed in a significant way, whether that’s driving plays or by retrieving pucks.
Cole Perfetti after the last game wasn’t his usual, one has to wonder if he will be getting back to his self in a massive way. The Jets need secondary scoring to shine bright in this game, and Perfetti could be at the front of it all.
Dylan Samberg has been arguably the Jets’ best defenseman and one of their top players in this series. He’s defended the Jets’ zone well and has contributed massively, and it will almost certainly continue in game three.
Injury Report:
St. Louis Blues
C Dylan Holloway, Out – LBI, Week-to-Week
D Torey Krug – LTIR – Ankle
Winnipeg Jets
RW Gabriel Vilardi – IR – UBI, Day-to-Day
C Rasmus Kupari – Out, Concussion, Day-to-Day
RW Nikolaj Ehlers – Out, Foot, Week-to-Week
Next game
Winnipeg Jets at St. Louis Blues, April 27th, Noon CST, at Enterprise Center
ITR 35: Round One – Inside The Rink
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