Summary
- Nino Niederreiter returns to the projected second line.
- Winnipeg seeks a response to its first regulation defeat.
- Minnesota arrives after a win over Vegas.
Nino Niederreiter was set to return to the Winnipeg Jets lineup against the Minnesota Wild on October 13, with the veteran forward one point short of 500 for his NHL career. The Hockey News, in a report carried by Yahoo Sports, said he had been a healthy scratch in three of Winnipeg’s first five games. Illegal Curve Hockey also reported his return to the projected forward combinations. [1] [2]
A changed forward group
Illegal Curve reported that Niederreiter’s insertion led to changes across the forward lines apart from the top unit, with Brad Lambert skating as the extra forward. Its projected second line paired Niederreiter with Viggo Björck and Gabe Vilardi. Those combinations were a pregame projection, rather than a record of who ultimately played together during the contest. [2]
The Hockey News described the game as a chance for the 34-year-old winger to regain a regular role. Its report said he was approaching free agency and had recorded eight goals and five assists in 20 career games against Minnesota. Those previous meetings give context to the milestone pursuit without establishing that he would reach it on Tuesday. [1]
Teams arrive on different schedules
The Hockey News reported that Winnipeg was seeking to rebound from a 5-1 loss to Anaheim on Friday. Its account framed Niederreiter’s return as a potential contribution to that response, alongside his pursuit of a personal milestone. A chance to reach 500 career points adds individual significance, but the team’s immediate objective remained reversing the result of its previous outing. [1]
Minnesota, by contrast, had played on Monday, beating Vegas 4-2 after building a three-goal lead. Illegal Curve reported that Nico Sturm was struck in the head by a puck during that game and that Tyler Pitlick had been recalled earlier in the day. The outlet listed Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard in its projected goaltending matchup. Its preview scheduled puck drop for 7:15 p.m. Central time; the lineup and milestone details remain pregame information. [2]