A higher spot in the standings on the mind of the Winnipeg Jets as they face Nashville
Including Tuesday night, there are five games left for the Winnipeg Jets in the regular season.
The playoffs have been booked, but the team still has plenty to play for. Winnipeg currently sits third in the Central Division, two points back of second – which is occupied by the Colorado Avalanche.
"We want to push for the division title. Until we can't do it, we're going to keep pushing for it and make sure our process is right, make sure our game is in the right spot," said defenceman Dylan DeMelo.
"You don't pick who you play in the playoffs, you just try to pick up as many wins as you can and kind of let the chips fall where they fall. But obviously, if you can get home ice, it's a big advantage. Obviously, one for the travel, but getting matchups and things of that nature. And obviously, the White Out, to have more games at home is always better."
They are also trying to fend off their Tuesday night opponent, the Nashville Predators. The Preds are in the top wild-card spot, six points back of Winnipeg.
Nashville has been one of the best teams in the NHL since the calendar turned to 2024. The Jets know it won't be easy to grab the two points – especially in Nashville's building.
"They've been playing really good hockey for the second half of the season, and they always seem to play good here too. It's a tough building to play in and the crowd gets into it right away. So these are fun games at this time of year."
"It feels a little bit more like a playoff game," said defenceman Logan Stanley. "We're going to have to be ready to go, we know they've been playing well lately, and they got a good team over there. We're both trying to get our team ready for the playoffs and it should be a good one."
The Jets have lost two of three games against the Predators this season, and Head Coach Rick Bowness said they need to have early success if they want to get a win.
"Get the faceoff, get the puck in deep and establish our forecheck so they can't be coming at us. So that's key for every line, we get out there the first six, seven, eight minutes, first, second, third shifts you're out there, go north, go north, and go hard, and not let them establish that game that they want to play," said Bowness.
Bowness provided more details on how Nino Niederreiter has been progressing since he was injured last week. He suffered a deep gash in his leg on Monday against the L.A. Kings after being cut.
He joined the team for a morning skate on Tuesday, with Bowness saying he skated "very lightly."
"We'll put him back on the ice on Thursday and go from there, practice Friday. The timeline is impossible to say. I know I talked to him and it was a little sore, a little sensitive as you would expect. But it's just good to see him on the ice. But a timeline, no idea."
Connor Hellebuyck will be getting the start for Winnipeg, with puck drop at 7 p.m. CT.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Trump fined US$1,000 for gag order violation in hush money case as judge warns of possible jail time
The judge presiding over Donald Trump's hush money trial has fined him US$1,000 for violating his gag order and sternly warned the former president that additional violation could result in jail time.
The story of how a B.C. man found his birth mother
After his adopted parents died, Dave Rogers set out to learn more about his birth mother. DNA results and a little help from friendly strangers would put him on a path to a small town in England.
When grief and AI collide: These people are communicating with the dead
AI tools can offer recommendations, answer questions and 'talk' with users. But some users are using them to recreate the likeness of the dead.
Spike in 'violent rhetoric' since Oct. 7 attack from 'extremist actors,' CSIS warns
The Israel-Hamas war has led to a spike in 'violent rhetoric' from 'extremist actors' that could prompt some in Canada to turn to violence, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service warns.
Italy's white-collar mafia is making a business killing
Italy's mafia rarely dirties its hands with blood these days. Extortion rackets have gone out of fashion and murders are largely frowned upon by the godfathers.
WestJet, mechanics union agree to tentative deal to avoid strike
A potential strike between WestJet and its mechanics union appears to have been avoided.
Russia announces nuclear weapon drills after angry exchange with senior Western officials
Russia plans to hold drills simulating the use of battlefield nuclear weapons, the Defense Ministry announced Monday, days after the Kremlin reacted angrily to comments by senior Western officials about the war in Ukraine and Moscow warned that tensions with the West are deepening.
Summer forecast: What to expect as El Nino weakens
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Actor Bernard Hill, of 'Titanic' and 'Lord of the Rings,' has died at 79
Actor Bernard Hill, who delivered a rousing cry before leading his people into battle in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' and went down with the ship as the captain in 'Titanic,' has died.