Jets clash with Lightning, aiming to extend road success. Discover Winnipeg's evolving lineup and how Salomonsson seizes defensive opportunity.
The 21-24-7 Winnipeg Jets will take on the 33-14-4 Tampa Bay Lightning in Florida on Thursday evening.
The 6:00 PM central puck drop will be the second test of the four-game road trip that also sees games against the Panthers and Stars over the next half week.
Photo by Kim Klement NietzelWinnipeg opened the trip with a relatively decisive 4-3 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday and will look to keep the good times rolling down south on Thursday.
The Jets are expected to run it back with the lineup they used in Newark, as Elias Salomonsson continues his stay within Winnipeg's top-six defenceman. The absence of Neal Pionk, Haydn Fleury and Colin Miller have certainly opened a window for Salomonsson and fellow youngster Isaak Phillips in recent weeks.
Connor Hellebuyck is back in goal for the Jets, while Cole Koepke and Tanner Pearson join Morgan Barron on the team's fourth line.
Winnipeg Jets' expected line combinations for Thursday, January 29 at Tampa Bay:
Connor-Scheifele-Vilardi
Perfetti-Toews-Iafallo
Niederreiter-Lowry-Namestnikov
Koepke-Barron-Pearson
Morrissey-DeMelo
Samberg-Salomsonsson
Stanley-Schenn
Hellebuyck