Wood to make preseason debut in Winnipeg

There's a feeling in the Winnipeg air that we're getting closer to the NHL regular season as the Devils prepare for their final preseason game on North American soil.

The New Jersey Devils take on the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday night before heading overseas to face SC Bern for the final exhibition game. The roster is now down to 29 players, and the lineup is beginning to look like a full regular season lineup. The competition has been NHL regular season worthy as well, with the Winnipeg Jets expected to start many of their regular players.
The regular season is coming and players can start to feel it.
"As the preseason goes on and the rosters getting whittled down it becomes more competitive," Taylor Hall said. "It becomes a lot more game like, and that's a good spot to test yourself. We flew into Winnipeg yesterday, we had the whole day to relax and get to our routines, so there really are no excuses for a night like tonight. I'm really looking forward to seeing not only how we play, but how I play and how I feel."
Hall will play on a line with Nico Hischier and Kyle Palmieri for a second straight game, despite Hynes juggling the rest of his lines to find the right chemistry.

"I think [Coach Hynes] knows that a line he can always go back to and there's going to be success there. Usually we do a pretty good job of carrying the play and creating chances for ourselves. It's always a lot of fun playing with those guys. They're hard working and have a lot of skill and that's the perfect combination."
For Hynes, this will be a first opportunity to see Miles Wood in game action after a long summer and missing the start of training camp.
"I'm super excited to be back here," Wood said. "It's a great opportunity for us. I scored my first goal here a few years ago so I have good vibes in this arena. Overall, I'm excited to play and get back with the guys and hopefully come away with a win.
Wood will play on a line with Winnipeg native Travis Zajac and John Quenneville.
As for what coach Hynes is looking for in players on the bubble to make the opening night roster, the coach has a very clear outlook on what he expects.

"You want to see guys really play to their identity. It's not about highlights, it's about impacting the game. Can they impact the game in a certain type of role at this level? They have to stick to what got them here, and they have to perform at an NHL level."
Keith Kinkaid will get the start in goal and is scheduled to play the full 60 minutes while the rest of the lineup will look as follows:
Hall-Hischier-Palmieri
Johnasson-Zacha-Bratt
Wood-Zajac-Quenneville
Seney-Rooney-Coleman
Mueller-Vatanen
Greene-Severson
Butcher-Lovejoy
Kinkaid/Lack