
Having dropped their last game 3-1 to Calgary - a contest that very much kept the Flames' postseason hopes alive - the Jets will look for what has become yet another 'must-win' game against the challenging Predators.
Once ruled out of the playoff picture, Nashville has rallied for three wins in its past four games, pulling the team just one point behind the Jets and Flames, despite owning a game in hand over Calgary.
Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who did not skate on Friday, will get the nod in net, in hopes of turning his fortunes in time for a strong final four games of the season.
Following Winnipeg's test against Nashville, the team will finish its five-game homestand against the San Jose Sharks on Monday. It will then hit the road for a season-ending, two-game road trip against Minnesota and Colorado.
Expected lines for April 8 vs. Nashville:
Connor - Dubois - Scheifele
Ehlers - Namestnikov - Wheeler
Niederreiter - Lowry - Appleton
Barron - Stenlund - Maenalanen
Morrissey - DeMelo
Dillon - Pionk
Samberg - Schmidt
Hellebuyck
Healthy scratches: Kuhlman, Gustafsson, Jonsson-Fjallby, Stanley, Capobianco