The Winnipeg Jets were left with a notable pre-game question on October 13, as Josh Morrissey was absent from the morning skate ahead of Wild vs Jets, while Nino Niederreiter returned to the lineup. For a team looking to respond after its first regulation loss of the season, those changes mattered.
Winnipeg had come off Friday night’s defeat to the Ducks in Winnipeg, then returned to practice on Monday after two straight days off the ice. Minnesota, meanwhile, arrived on the second night of a back-to-back after beating the Golden Knights 4-2 in St. Paul the previous night, having built a 3-0 lead before closing out the game.
Josh Morrissey was not with the main group
The most significant update for the Jets was Morrissey’s absence from the main group at the morning skate. He did not take part, leaving Winnipeg with a clear late question on the blue line for a game that carried added importance after their first regulation loss of the season.
The timing was far from ideal. The Jets were already trying to reset after the weekend and they were doing so against a Wild team that had just shown it could handle a strong opening spell and still finish the job.
Nino Niederreiter returns to the Jets lineup
There was better news for Winnipeg in attack, with Niederreiter back in the line combinations and added to the second line. The return gives the Jets another experienced option as they try to find a quicker response at 7:15 PM CT.
Tyler Pitlick was also recalled from AHL Iowa earlier on October 13, giving Winnipeg additional depth for the night. With the schedule turning quickly and the Wild coming in fresh from a win, the Jets needed all the options they could get.
A short turnaround for both teams
This was a matchup shaped by context as much as by form. Winnipeg had the disappointment of its first regulation loss to absorb, while Minnesota had to manage the demands of back-to-back games. That combination made the lineup news especially relevant.
The question heading into puck drop was simple enough: could the Jets cope without Morrissey if needed, and could Niederreiter help spark the response they wanted? For a Central Division meeting early in the season, it already carried a useful edge.
