{"id":557760,"date":"2026-03-24T15:50:09","date_gmt":"2026-03-24T15:50:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/557760\/"},"modified":"2026-03-24T15:50:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T15:50:09","slug":"winnipeg-jets-vs-vegas-golden-knights-pre-game-report-illegal-curve-hockey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/557760\/","title":{"rendered":"Winnipeg Jets vs Vegas Golden Knights pre-game report \u2013 Illegal Curve Hockey"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Jets picked up three of four possible points this weekend but still find themselves five points back of the Predators with just 12 games remaining which is a pretty difficult gap to overcome. It doesn\u2019t help that they will face the hardest strength of schedule of the five teams vying for the final wild card spot beginning tonight against the Golden Knights which kicks off two straight games at home.<\/p>\n

Winnipeg will have to play with some desperation this evening because their margin for error has diminished to almost nothing at this point. We saw the return of Neal Pionk to the lineup after missing two months and we will have to wait and see if there is anything new with Vlad Namestnikov or Nino Niederreiter. While the legend of Eric Comrie\u2019s white mask (6-0 since he made the switch) the expectation is Connor Hellebuyck will be back in between the pipes.<\/p>\n

The Golden Knights are jockeying with the Oilers for second spot in the Pacific right now although both teams also probably have the first-place Ducks in their focus which makes this an important two points for Vegas. They also have hit a bit of a skid going 4-6-0 in their last ten games.<\/p>\n

Skate news:<\/p>\n

Vlad Namestnikov and Nino Niederrieter on the ice in yellow, non-contact here at Jets morning skate.<\/p>\n

Looks like Winnipeg will be sticking with what they rolled with last game.<\/p>\n

Jets projected lines & D pairs:<\/p>\n

Connor-Scheifele-Iafallo
Perfetti-Lowry-Vilardi
Lambert-Barron-Ros\u00e9n
Nyquist-Toews-Koepke<\/p>\n

Morrissey-Pionk
Samberg-Salomonsson
Fleury -DeMelo<\/p>\n

Hellebuyck<\/p>\n

Golden Knights projected lines & D pairs:<\/p>\n

Barbashev\u2014Eichel\u2014Stone
Dorofeyev\u2014Hertl\u2014Marner
Howden\u2014Sissons\u2014Bowman
C. Smith\u2014Dowd\u2014Kolesar<\/p>\n

McNabb\u2014Theodore
Hanifin\u2014Andersson
Lauzon\u2014Korczak<\/p>\n

Hill<\/p>\n

Players media availability:<\/p>\n

To follow.<\/p>\n

Coach media availability:<\/p>\n

To follow.<\/p>\n

Odds:<\/p>\n

The Jets are running out of runway and need points as a tough stretch continues while the Golden Knights are chasing their own goals despite recent inconsistency, and while it feels close, the edge may still tilt slightly toward the visitors. For the latest Winnipeg Jets hockey odds, visit NHL betting site Betway<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Up Next:<\/p>\n

Puck drop is at 7 PM CT. Be sure to head over to illegalcurve.com<\/a> following the game for a recap of the action. You can join us on our YouTube channel for the Illegal Curve Post-Game Show<\/a> around 9:40 PM CT as we discuss and analyze the results of the game.<\/p>\n

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