Line Combinations: Jets at Red Wings

The Winnipeg Jets are back in action Sunday afternoon, taking on the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena in the first road game of their 2026-27 season.

Winnipeg enters the matchup looking for its first victory after falling 4-3 in overtime to the Boston Bruins in Friday's season opener. The Jets will go back to Stuart Skinner between the pipes, while John Gibson gets the start for Detroit.

According to Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Free Press, who is on the scene in Detroit, the Jets will use the same four forward lines and three defensive pairings that dressed against Boston on Friday.

Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele and Cole Perfetti remain together on the top line, while rookie Viggo Björck will centre Isak Rosén and Gabriel Vilardi. Björck made his NHL debut Friday alongside Tyrel Bauer, who remains on Winnipeg's third defensive pairing with Mario Ferraro.

Morgan Barron, Adam Lowry and Brad Lambert make up the third line, with Nino Niederreiter, Vladislav Namestnikov and Alex Iafallo rounding out the forward group. On defence, Josh Morrissey and Dylan DeMelo skate together on the top pair, followed by Dylan Samberg and Neal Pionk.

Skinner will make his second consecutive start after stopping 26 of 30 shots against Boston. There will be no hometown appearance for Connor Hellebuyck, with the Michigan native nowhere to be seen as the Jets make their lone visit to Detroit this season.

Winnipeg Jets' line combinations for Sunday, October 4 vs. Detroit, according to Ken Wiebe:

Connor-Scheifele-Perfetti

Rosén-Björck-Vilardi

Barron-Lowry-Lambert

Niederreiter-Namestnikov-Iafallo

Morrissey-DeMelo

Samberg-Pionk

Ferraro-Bauer

Skinner