Neal Pionk Postgame The Winnipeg Jets will be put to the test right away, as they face off against the Edmonton Oilers from Rogers Place in Edmonton on Wednesday night. Taking to the ice in the late-night, 9:00 PM central start, the Jets will go toe-to-toe with last season's runner-up, and the team most analysts are predicting to go the furthest in 2024-25. Edmonton will bring a full dose of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Evan Bouchard, Darnell Nurse and Stuart Skinner, while the Jets will look to respond with Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor, Gabe Vilardi, Josh Morrissey and Connor Hellebuyck. With all forwards and goaltenders now healthy, the only depth in question is that of Winnipeg's defence. Having let Brenden Dillon and Nate Schmidt go this past offseason, and in dealing with injuries to Logan Stanley and Ville Heinola, the offseason additions of Dylan Coghlan and Haydn Fleury will likely be tested early this season. Cole Perfetti signed his two-year contract midway through camp, alleviating any additional concerns for head coach Scott Arniel and GM Kevin Cheveldayoff, while Nikolaj Ehlers and his camp have likely been discussing the possibilities of a long-term extension with the Jets' big brass. Starting the year with a rather light four games in 11 days, things will kick into high gear as the month of October continues. Following the season opener in Edmonton Wednesday, the Jets will return to Canada Life Centre for their home opener against another Connor, this one of the Bedard type, on Friday. Winnipeg Jets expected line combinations for Wednesday, October 9 vs. Edmonton: Connor-Scheifele-Vilardi Perfetti-Namestnikov-Ehlers Niederreiter-Lowry-Appleton Barron-Kupari-Iafallo Morrissey-DeMelo Samberg-Pionk Fleury-Miller Hellebuyck Comrie Scratched: Coghlan, Kahkonen Injured: Stanley, Heinola, Gustafsson
