GAMEDAY: Hurricanes at Jets

WINNIPEG- The Winnipeg Jets finish off their four game homestand tonight at 6:30 pm when they host the Carolina Hurricanes at Canada Life Centre.

Winnipeg ended their three-game slide Saturday afternoon with a 3-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks and remain in third spot in the Central Division heading into tonight’s game.

The big news of the day came when the team announced that they had signed Nino Niederreiter to a three-year, $12 million extension before the team took to the ice for their morning skate.

The Swiss born forward has been tremendous with linemates Mason Appleton and Adam Lowry this season.

“Yeah, it's awesome news. I think it's good to know that he'll be here and to hopefully get the opportunity to play with him a lot more and continue building that chemistry. Been a great fit since we got him last year, he's really well liked and respected in the dressing room,” said Lowry.

“He plays super hard, and I think he's kind of what we're all about in this organization. It's good news, both of my linemates are in good spirits today. The Pack winning last night for Appy and the news for Nino so hopefully that carries into the game tonight."

Niederreiter had said before the season started that he had to go out and prove that he deserved an extension with the Jets. He was brought over in a trade from Nashville on February 25 for a second-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.

“I mean, at the end of the day you've always got to go out there and try to prove yourself and prove to the team that you deserve another contract. And I think that's the attitude I've always had throughout my career,” said Niederreiter.

“I don't try to not take anything for granted, and, like I said, I'm happy to be here and it seems like we have a good chance for the next coming years to be an elite team. I'm happy to be a part of it.”

PROJECTED LINEUP

There will be no changes to the lineup that beat the Blackhawks Saturday afternoon outside of Laurent Brossoit getting his sixth start of the season.

Declan Chisholm played well in his home ice debut on Saturday and will get another shot against the Hurricanes tonight. Chisholm played with Dylan Samberg and that pairing remains together, Rick Bowness said he liked how calm and poised the 23-year-old was with the puck. Bowness noted that the everyone will have their hands full with Carolina and the pressure they provide in all areas of the ice.

“Listen, this is a battle tonight. They have four lines, six D. They just keep coming. They play north, they play fast they play hard, and they play consistent. So, it’ll be a totally different game from what we saw last game,” said Bowness.

“Chicago plays a different way; every team plays a different way. There’s different characteristics about their team. This is a team that goes north, this is a team that gets online, this is a team that’s physical so this will be a really good test for them.”

This is also Canadian Armed Forces Appreciation Night and on top of having over 600 Canadian Armed Forces members in the building, the Jets will debut ‘The Forty-Eight’ jersey in commemoration of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Centennial and honours the sweaters worn by the gold medal winning RCAF Flyers during the 1948 Winter Olympics.

“The design is awesome. we are all excited. Anytime you get some new gear. You get to see kind of the throwbacks, the designs the goalies had and it's honoring the Royal Canadian Air Force and their official Centennial,” said Lowry.

“I think it means a lot for what the country’s military service does for us, their selflessness. I think we're really looking forward to it, the team did a really good job of putting it together and honouring the heritage behind it. I'm excited to see what we look like as a full team in it.”

The Jets will wear the jerseys two more times at home, January 27 against Toronto and April 1 versus Los Angeles.