Line Combinations: Jets vs. Devils
The 49-19-4 Winnipeg Jets are set to host the 38-28-7 New Jersey Devils from snowy Manitoba on Friday night.
Doused with 15 centimetres of snow over the past 24 hours, Winnipeg's Canada Life Centre will host the first game of the season that truly doesn't matter for the Jets' initial playoff chances.
We say 'initial' because every game matter in terms of final standings, finishing placements and season series', but as of Winnipeg's 3-2 overtime victory on Tuesday, the Jets are in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Advertisement
They enter the night one point behind Washington for first overall, while having played the same amount of games as the Capitals.
But more concerning for the Jets are the red-hot Dallas Stars who sit just four points behind Winnipeg, as well as the Colorado Avalanche and St. Louis Blues, who have combined for a 27-3-3 record in their last 33 games played, combined.
With injuries to Gabe Vilardi and Rasmus Kupari, Alex Iafallo has positioned himself on the top line, while David Gustafsson draws back into the fold on the fourth grouping. The second and third lines have see some adjustments as well. Logan Stanley continues to dress on the blueline over Haydn Fleury.
Connor Hellebuyck will get the nod between the pipes as the Jets look to become the first team to hit 50 wins on the season.
Advertisement
Winnipeg Jets' expected line combinations for Friday, March 28 vs. New Jersey:
Connor-Scheifele-Iafallo
Ehlers-Lowry-Appleton
Niederreiter-Namestnikov-Perfetti
Gustafsson-Barron-Tanev
Morrissey-DeMelo
Samberg-Schenn
Stanley-Miller
Hellebuyck
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
San Francisco Chronicle
an hour ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Jets' Jermaine Johnson expected to be healthy in time to face Aaron Rodgers and Steelers in Week 1
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Jermaine Johnson's long-awaited comeback from a torn Achilles tendon is on track to happen the same day a former New York Jets teammate makes what's sure to be a much-hyped return. Week 1 at MetLife Stadium — against Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers. 'We actually were just texting last night,' a smiling Johnson said of Rodgers on Tuesday after the first practice of the Jets' three-day mandatory minicamp. 'It's funny. But obviously, I'm excited, he's excited.' Johnson, a promising edge rusher who was coming off his first Pro Bowl selection, tore his right Achilles tendon in Week 2 last year and missed the rest of the season. Coach Aaron Glenn said the 2022 first-round draft pick should be 'close' to being ready for training camp in July and could start on the physically unable to perform list, 'but he'll be ready for the season.' During the early days of his recovery, Johnson was comforted by Rodgers, who made a comeback of his own last season after tearing his left Achilles tendon four snaps into his debut with the Jets in 2023. Rodgers was released by New York in the offseason, signed last week with Pittsburgh and made his practice debut with the Steelers on Tuesday. 'It was a pleasure having Aaron around and stuff like that and I wish him the best,' Johnson said. "But when I get between those lines, there's no friends. And I think he knows that and he feels the same, so I'm excited. 'It's just another game, but for me, it's going to be my first game back and there's a lot of emotions. And when my emotions run high, I tend to play pretty well.' Johnson declined to say what he and Rodgers texted about Monday night, but acknowledged the quarterback was instrumental in helping get his mind right as he prepared for the tough recovery and rehabilitation. 'First thing he said, he's like, 'You'll be good. You've got a 10-year-plus career here. You're all right. Chalk it up,'' Johnson recalled. 'It just kind of let me calm down a little bit and be able to gather myself and just take it on the chin and handle it and do a good job at it. So that's how I've attacked it. Aaron's been a tremendous help in so many ways.' Despite the uncertainty over the injury, Glenn and the Jets showed their belief in Johnson as part of their defense moving forward when they picked up his fifth-year contract option, along with those of fellow 2022 first-rounders Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson. 'It was a big investment,' Johnson said. 'They've seen enough of me and heard enough about me that they're willing to dive into that for at least one more year. So it means a lot to me. I'm always a man of my word and a man of honor, so to me, that's them lifting their end of the couch and now it's my turn to lift my end of the couch.' Johnson had 2 1/2 sacks in 14 games as a rookie after being drafted 26th overall out of Florida before breaking out with 7 1/2 in 2023 while starting all 17 games for New York. He also had 16 quarterback hits, 11 tackles for loss and returned an interception 37 yards for a touchdown. Then came the setback last season, just as he was blossoming into a force on the Jets' defense. 'I cried a little bit like right after I got hurt,' Johnson said. 'But I'm just a man a faith, so God wanted me to walk through this and I took it like that and, you know, embodied this rehab. And I have full confidence I'm gonna come back without missing a beat.' The Jets are banking on that, envisioning Johnson as a key part of their pass rush. Glenn was a member of the Detroit Lions staff that coached at the Senior Bowl in 2022, and Johnson left a lasting impression on him. 'He's a hard-nosed, physical, violent player that's very athletic that has the ability to win off the edge and make plays on the quarterback,' Glenn said. "Listen, you don't get a lot of guys that have the athleticism as he does but still be strong and powerful to be able to hold against the run. So I'm excited to see that player get out there in training camp and going into the first game. 'So he's going to be a huge part of what we're doing. He knows that. But again, he understands what he's got to get better at, too.' ___
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Spending spree among fans continues during Edmonton Oilers playoff run
After local spending climbed during consecutive rounds as the Edmonton Oilers marched through the Stanley Cup Playoffs, it hit a fever pitch during the last home game of the third round against the Dallas Stars, with a more than 140 per cent jump in spending near the arena. 'Throughout the playoffs, Moneris' data has revealed a clear trend — when the Oilers play at home, restaurant spending in downtown Edmonton lights up,' Sean McCormick, director of business development and data services at Moneris, said in a release. As Postmedia has steadily reported throughout the past several weeks and during the team's run last year, according to data from Moneris, spending near Rogers Place and throughout the city fluctuates significantly during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Last year's Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Final produced a stunning 200 per cent spend increase near the arena, and while data won't be available until this year's Stanley Cup Final is over, this year's spending was already surging in the third round against Dallas. While the Oilers glided to a comfortable 4-1 series win over Dallas inside, fans outside the arena and in the area gave their bank accounts a beating with soaring spending on May 27. 'Round three of the playoffs highlighted the passion of Oilers fans, with restaurant spending near Rogers Place soaring up to 143 per cent during Game 4,' said McCormick. Calculating the spending by comparing credit and debit card activity at its point of sale systems, Moneris' data shows that during Game 4 against Dallas, spending was the largest jump of this year's playoffs by some margin. The only game that came close to Game 4's spending increase came exactly a month prior on April 27, when the Oilers played their second home game against the Los Angeles Kings in the first round, when spending near the arena swelled to 89 per cent above average. 'Round one reminded us just how impactful the playoffs can be for both fans and the local economy,' said McCormick. 'Whether at home or tuning in from local spots during away games, Oilers fans created a ripple effect that lifted businesses and brought people together in a meaningful way.' The spending spree during Game 4 of the Western Conference Final wasn't just limited to near the arena — Moneris saw that the same game also spurred spending throughout the city, leading to a 27 per cent rise across Edmonton's bars and restaurants. Coincidentally, the other game that came close to game 4's local spend was also April 27, bringing a 24 per cent bump in activity throughout the city. Perhaps unsurprisingly, whether the Oilers are playing at home or away, spending increases are more pronounced when the team wins. For example, in the third round after falling 6-3 to Dallas in Game 1 of the Western Conference Final, spending near the arena and throughout the city saw just a two and four per cent bump, respectively. In contrast, the ensuing four games that Edmonton won brought a 38, 51, 143, and 41 per cent increase in spending near the arena, respectively. Now down 2-1 in the Stanley Cup Final to the Florida Panthers, the team, fans, and businesses affected by the Oilers' success will be pulling for a comeback, starting Thursday night with Game 4 that gives the Oilers a chance to tie the series before heading home for Game 5. Edmonton businesses near Rogers Place surged over 200% for Game 7 Edmonton restaurants already getting playoff boost from Oilers Edmonton Oilers playoff run could leave economic hangover when it's done Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don't miss the news you need to know — add and to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters here. You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribers gain unlimited access to The Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. Support us by subscribing today: The Edmonton Journal | The Edmonton Sun.
Hamilton Spectator
an hour ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Jets' Jermaine Johnson expected to be healthy in time to face Aaron Rodgers and Steelers in Week 1
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Jermaine Johnson's long-awaited comeback from a torn Achilles tendon is on track to happen the same day a former New York Jets teammate makes what's sure to be a much-hyped return. Week 1 at MetLife Stadium — against Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers. 'We actually were just texting last night,' a smiling Johnson said of Rodgers on Tuesday after the first practice of the Jets' three-day mandatory minicamp. 'It's funny. But obviously, I'm excited, he's excited.' Johnson, a promising edge rusher who was coming off his first Pro Bowl selection, tore his right Achilles tendon in Week 2 last year and missed the rest of the season. Coach Aaron Glenn said the 2022 first-round draft pick should be 'close' to being ready for training camp in July and could start on the physically unable to perform list , 'but he'll be ready for the season.' During the early days of his recovery, Johnson was comforted by Rodgers, who made a comeback of his own last season after tearing his left Achilles tendon four snaps into his debut with the Jets in 2023. Rodgers was released by New York in the offseason, signed last week with Pittsburgh and made his practice debut with the Steelers on Tuesday. 'It was a pleasure having Aaron around and stuff like that and I wish him the best,' Johnson said. 'But when I get between those lines, there's no friends. And I think he knows that and he feels the same, so I'm excited. 'It's just another game, but for me, it's going to be my first game back and there's a lot of emotions. And when my emotions run high, I tend to play pretty well.' Johnson declined to say what he and Rodgers texted about Monday night, but acknowledged the quarterback was instrumental in helping get his mind right as he prepared for the tough recovery and rehabilitation. 'First thing he said, he's like, 'You'll be good. You've got a 10-year-plus career here. You're all right. Chalk it up,'' Johnson recalled. 'It just kind of let me calm down a little bit and be able to gather myself and just take it on the chin and handle it and do a good job at it. So that's how I've attacked it. Aaron's been a tremendous help in so many ways.' Despite the uncertainty over the injury, Glenn and the Jets showed their belief in Johnson as part of their defense moving forward when they picked up his fifth-year contract option , along with those of fellow 2022 first-rounders Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson. 'It was a big investment,' Johnson said. 'They've seen enough of me and heard enough about me that they're willing to dive into that for at least one more year. So it means a lot to me. I'm always a man of my word and a man of honor, so to me, that's them lifting their end of the couch and now it's my turn to lift my end of the couch.' Johnson had 2 1/2 sacks in 14 games as a rookie after being drafted 26th overall out of Florida before breaking out with 7 1/2 in 2023 while starting all 17 games for New York. He also had 16 quarterback hits, 11 tackles for loss and returned an interception 37 yards for a touchdown. Then came the setback last season, just as he was blossoming into a force on the Jets' defense. 'I cried a little bit like right after I got hurt,' Johnson said. 'But I'm just a man a faith, so God wanted me to walk through this and I took it like that and, you know, embodied this rehab. And I have full confidence I'm gonna come back without missing a beat.' The Jets are banking on that, envisioning Johnson as a key part of their pass rush. Glenn was a member of the Detroit Lions staff that coached at the Senior Bowl in 2022, and Johnson left a lasting impression on him. 'He's a hard-nosed, physical, violent player that's very athletic that has the ability to win off the edge and make plays on the quarterback,' Glenn said. 'Listen, you don't get a lot of guys that have the athleticism as he does but still be strong and powerful to be able to hold against the run. So I'm excited to see that player get out there in training camp and going into the first game. 'So he's going to be a huge part of what we're doing. He knows that. But again, he understands what he's got to get better at, too.' ___ AP NFL:
