5 storylines MIN

NO CAPTAIN TONIGHT
Blake Wheeler will not be in the Jets lineup tonight as he entered the league's COVID-protocol on Monday. The Jets top line will look different for a third consecutive contest with Andrew Copp moving into Wheeler's spot on the right side with Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor. The power play will also have different personal against the Wild this evening. Nate Schmidt will quarterback the first power play unit with Pierre-Luc Dubois, Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele and Riley Nash. Unit two will feature Josh Morrissey, Neal Pionk, Nikolaj Ehlers, Paul Stastny and Copp. Also, Paul Maurice will dress 11 forwards and seven defencemen. Nathan Beaulieu comes in and Cole Perfetti comes out.

NO LACK OF CONFIDENCE
Despite the 0-2 start the Jets remain a confident bunch heading into the first Central Division battle of the season against the Wild. Keep in mind the Jets dropped their first two games of the 2017-18 campaign which saw them eventually play their way to the Western Conference Final. Winnipeg wants to improve on their transition game and certainly need something more from their penalty kill which has surrendered four power play goals in the first two games of this trip.
Winnipeg Jets : Ground Control
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Fly By - Oct. 19, 2021 - Jets at Wild
VES ON THIRD LINE
Kristian Vesalainen began training camp on the right side of Adam Lowry's line. Now after a quick reunion in the third period in San Jose on Saturday, the Finnish forward will likely start tonight there along with Jansen Harkins on the left side.
"Some speed there with them and some size with Adam, so I do like that." said Paul Maurice on Monday.
HELLEBUYCK SOLID IN MINNESOTA
Connor Hellebuyck is off to 0-2 start with a goals against average of 4.10 in 2021-22. If there is a place to see him get that first win of the season it is here in St. Paul. Hellebuyck has been outstanding whenever he gets the call at Xcel Energy Center as his goals against average is 1.89 to go along with a .937 save percentage.
RIVALRY RENEWED
It's been 654 days since these two teams last played each other. Zach Parise, Ryan Suter and Mikko Koivu are no longer here with the Wild. Minnesota's new look lineup has worked out so far getting off to a 2-0 start with wins in Anaheim and LA. Winnipeg will have their hands full with this Wild team who are nearly unbeatable when it comes to their home openers, Minnesota has only one regulation loss in franchise history going 15-1-4 in their first game of the season at Xcel Energy Center.