GAMEDAY: Jets at Wild

A run of four straight divisional games begins tonight for the Winnipeg Jets as they open a three-game road trip against the Minnesota Wild.
At 11-5-1, the Jets sit in a tie for second in the Central, but as seems to be the case every season, there isn't much wiggle room for any team.
"You feel like you win a bunch in a row, there isn't much separation going on," said Jets defenceman Brenden Dillon. "We know our schedule, we're pretty much every second day until Christmas. These Central Division games are that much more important."
Ironically, both teams are coming off an overtime win over the Carolina Hurricanes. For Minnesota, that 2-1 victory came on Saturday, which was the exact start to a six-game home stand the Wild were looking for.
For the Jets, their win over Carolina was almost a tale of two games. There were 55 minutes they absolutely loved, keeping a high shot volume team like the Hurricanes from generating much offence at all and building a 3-0 lead.

Carolina, as is well known by now, stormed back with three goals at six-on-five in the final five minutes to tie the game.
Josh Morrissey ended the drama in overtime giving the Jets two points and a 2-1-0 record on the home stand, but those five minutes at the end of regulation time were a big part of the team's video sessions the last couple days.
"The biggest takeaway was taking away the middle of the ice," said Dillon. "A few times their d-men found a way to get off the boards and find those shot lanes and I think it's similar to us in how we're trying to create offence - getting pucks through. It's so hard to score in this league with how good the goaltending is, and team's defensive structure that especially when you're down six-on-five, you have to treat it like a penalty kill."
At 8-8-2, the Wild are sixth in the Central, but the Jets know that despite an injection of skill into the Minnesota line-up the last couple seasons, they're still very capable of making it difficult on their opponents to create scoring chances.
"We have to know that every inch of ice out there, every battle for pucks, really shift to shift is going to be so important," said Dillon. "For all of us on our team, they're a team that really prides themselves on how hard they are to play against."
That's exactly what Jets head coach Rick Bowness sees in the Wild as well.
"They're fast, they get on top of you, they don't give you much," Bowness said. "If you're the other team you have to fight for every inch of ice out there. They're well coached and they play hard. So regardless of their record it's going to be a tough game tonight."

Marcus Foligno is part of that, as he and Dillon often engage with each other physically, and are part of the reason that the Friendly Manitoba and Minnesota Nice rivalry seems to flare up every time the puck is dropped between the two clubs.
"He's a player you have to have respect for. He's a good forechecker, he's been around for a long time. He helps their team," said Dillon, adding he's not sure how much of the intensity from last season's tilts will carry into tonight.
"I think when you're playing 82 games, and it's year to year, teams are so different. Guys moving to different teams," Dillon said. "Of course there are some rivalries and what not, but I don't think there is much carry over in that sense. At least, not from my angle."
The only change the Jets will make to their line-up tonight from the 4-3 overtime win against Carolina two nights ago is in goal. Connor Hellebuyck will put his 9-7-2 record against the Wild since he came into the league in 2015-16 on the line tonight, and will look to improve that mark as well as his 8-4-1 record to start the 2022-23 campaign.
Adam Lowry didn't take part in the morning skate, but Bowness says the big forward is good to go.
"He hasn't been feeling well for a couple days. He's feeling well enough to play, but we're keeping him off the ice so he can be as fresh as he can," said Bowness. "He's been fighting a bug. But, the team player that he is, he's going to play."
Puck drop is set for 6 pm CT.
ICE CHIPS
Nikolaj Ehlers had sports hernia surgery in Detroit on Wednesday, and while the timeline is still a bit foggy, Bowness did offer a bit of an update.
"I haven't talked to the staff, about exactly what they found, what they're dealing with," said Bowness. "But clearly it's eight weeks, in that area. Does that mean it's seven to 10? I don't know. That gives us some time to work with."
Dylan DeMelo won't play against Minnesota, marking the fourth straight game the defenceman has missed with an upper-body injury. He's on the trip and will go through a bit more of an extended on-ice workout today with hopes that he can play on the trip.
"He's feeling very good, so we would not rule him out for Friday," Bowness said. "But again we're going to give him a little harder workout today so we'll see how he responds."
-- Mitchell Clinton, WinnipegJets.com
Game Notes
The Jets play their final seven games on their November calendar in a span of 13 days.
Winnipeg plays its next four games against Central Division opponents. The Jets are 5-1-0 against their Central Division counterparts this season, with the only loss coming against Dallas on Oct. 17.
Defencemen Josh Morrissey (8A) and Neal Pionk (4G, 4A) lead the Jets in scoring on the road with eight points.
Connor Hellebuyck and David Rittich have combined to form one of the best goaltending tandems in the NHL this season with a combined save percentage of 0.921, third best in the NHL.
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