The Wild initially listed Niederreiter as a game-time decision for Tuesday, but head coach Bruce Boudreau told a local radio station that Niederreiter will make his return tonight vs. the Jets. Niederreiter has missed the last six games but is expected to draw in on a line with Eric Staal tonight. He is still searching for his first point of the season, but Niederreiter likely won’t have to wait too long for it to happen.
Niederreiter has missed the last six games with a high-ankle sprain, but he is targeting a return to the lineup on Tuesday. Niederreiter has no points in three games this season, but he should be added from the waiver wire if he was dropped during his injury.
Hellebuyck made 24 saves on 27 shots in the Jets’ 4-3 win over the Wild last Friday. Hellebuyck has won all four of his starts while turning aside 119 of 127 shots (.937 SV%) that he has faced. Hellebuyck will look to continue his winning ways against a Penguins team that comes in at 6-3-1 while averaging 3.20 goals for per game.
Hellebuyck allowed one goal on 29 shots in the Jets’ win over the Hurricanes last Saturday. The Jets inexplicably went to Steve Mason on Tuesday and he lost yet again, so they’ll come back to Hellebuyck tonight. He has won three straight starts while turning aside 95 of 100 shots (.950 SV%). He’ll face a Wild team that is extremely banged up.
Lowry missed Saturday’s game with a lower-body injury and was set to miss tonight’s game as well, his move to IR opened up a roster spot for the Jets to recall Brendan Lemieux from Manitoba (AHL). THere’s no word on how long Lowry will be sidelined but his move to IR was retroactive to October 12th, so he is eligible to come off before Friday’s game vs. Minnesota.
Lowry missed Saturday’s game vs. the Hurricanes with an upper-body injury and will miss his second straight game on Tuesday. With Lowry sidelined, Joel Armia will remain in the lineup.
Connor, 20, who was expected to make the Jets out of training camp, was sent to Manitoba to open the season and has picked up three goals and two assists (five points) in four games with the Moose. Connor will replace Mathieu Perreault in the lineup and is expected to skate with Bryan Little and Patrik Laine on Tuesday. Connor has five points (2G / 3A) in 20 career NHL games.
Hellebuyck allowed two goals on 32 shots in the Jets’ win in Vancouver on Thursday. Hellebuyck has won each of his first two starts while turning aside 67 of 71 shots (.944 SV%). Tonight he will take on a quality Hurricanes team that has gotten off to a slow-start to 2017-18.
Despite taking Zach Parise’s spot in the top-6 to start the season, Niederreiter had no points in the first three games of the season before getting hurt on Thursday. This is a massive loss for the Wild, who also lost Charlie Coyle (right fibula fracture) on Thursday night.
Niederreiter left Thursday’s game after playing 13:12 TOI after sustaining what is believed to be an ankle injury. Niederreiter got tangled up with Blackhawks’ forward Tanner Kero and will miss at least Saturday’s game vs. Columbus. The Wild also lost Marcus Foligno and Charlie Coyle last night, so they’re banged up heading into Saturday.
Hellebuyck made 37 stops on 39 shots in the Jets’ win in Edmonton on Monday. It was an excellent start for Hellebuyck, who has stopped 46 of 50 shots (.920 SV%) through one start and one relief appearance this season. He has looked a lot better than Steve Mason, so he will start tonight in Vancouver. The Canucks are 1-0-1 through their first two contests.
Hellebuyck stopped nine of 11 shots he faced after replacing Steve Mason in the Jets’ opening night loss to the Maple Leafs. It’s been an inauspicious start to Mason’s Jets career, so Hellebuyck will see his first start of the season tonight in Edmonton. It’s a rough matchup and the 24-year-old had an ugly 3.23 GAA and .896 SV% in 25 road appearances last season.
Ehlers is entering the final year of a three-year deal, so this new deal won’t kick in until 2018-19 and it runs through the 2024-25 season. The 21-year-old is coming off of a great sophomore campaign, having collected 25 goals and 39 assists (64 points) in 82 games. Ehlers is positioned for another great year as he’s poised to start the season with Patrik Laine and Bryan Little.
Connor, who was the Jets No.17 overall pick in 2015, was expected to crack the opening night roster but fell down the depth chart throughout the preseason. Connor has electrifying potential thanks to his exceptional speed, but the organization obviously feels he needs a little more seasoning in the AHL--plus he doesn't need to clear waivers. The 20-year-old winger had 25 goals and 19 assists (44 points) in 52 AHL games a season ago.
