Thomas' Five Storylines - WPG @ MIN

WHERE IS THE OFFENCE
Everyone goes through their struggles during a long NHL season and that's where the Jets are right now with four goals in their last four games, all of them losses (0-3-1). Winnipeg has fired 153 shots over the four-game drought but has run into red hot goaltenders like Stuart Skinner, Thatcher Demko, Tristan Jarry and Wednesday night they were shut out by Elvis Merzlikins.
"We're getting chances. There is a part of it where the goaltenders are playing well," said Nate Schmidt after practice on Thursday.
"But part of it is on us as well you know. I think our D can do a better job at getting pucks through and our forwards can do a better job of doing what they do."

STASTNY BACK?
The Jets veteran forward skated for a third consecutive day on Thursday and is getting closer to a return to the lineup. He has missed eight games since taking a shot in the foot in the Jets 2-0 loss to the New York Islanders on home ice. Stastny will help in many ways for the struggling Jets especially on the power play which has gone 1-for-21 in his absence.
POWER PLAY CHANGES
If Stastny plays it looks like he will slot in on the second power play unit with Pierre-Luc Dubois, Andrew Copp, Josh Morrissey, and Schmidt. Paul Maurice has moved Blake Wheeler from the bumper position to the half wall where traditionally touches the puck a lot more. Wheeler will work with Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor, Neal Pionk and Nikolaj Ehlers. Scheifele is working from the slot area and Ehlers will move up and down the left side.
PERFECT OPPONENT
When the Jets got off to a slow start to the season losing their first two games in Anaheim and San Jose respectively, they arrived in St. Paul to face a divisional rival for the first time since the 2019-20 campaign. The Wild and Jets slugged it out over 60 minutes tied at five with Minnesota winning in overtime. Even with the single point, Winnipeg woke up and win six of their next seven games. The Jets thrive against teams who play a heavy game, and the hope is that trend will continue Friday afternoon.
FIRST PLACE WILD
The Wild have pushed their way to the top of the Central Division and are a team that score a lot on home ice. Minnesota is 5-2 at Xcel Energy Center and have scored at least four goals in those five wins. Centre Ryan Hartman has got off to a tremendous start with ten goals and is in the middle of the team's top line along with Kirill Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello. Cam Talbot has played well, and Wild defencemen have totalled 54 points which is tied for first in the NHL.