WASHINGTON -- The (0-1-1) Winnipeg Jets conclude a two-game road trip tonight against the (0-1-0) Washington Capitals.
TSN 1290's coverage begins with Hustler & Lawless at 3pm ct. Rick Ralph hosts the official Jets pregame show at 5pm ct. Dennis Beyak, Shane Hnidy and I have the play-by-play at 6pm ct.
Head coach Claude Noel told TSN 1290 this morning that Ondrej Pavelec will make his third consecutive start in goal. "I thought Pavelec was a lot better in the game, so that's a huge step. We are looking to get him in a groove and get him going in the right direction".
James Wright will make his Winnipeg debut which means Noel has decided to sit Kyle Wellwood.
"I don't know James that well, but I know he's got speed and is a reliable player" said Noel. "It's not really a testimate to Kyle who I thought was good in last night's game, it's just that you play heavy games and he looked tired and now against Washington we want to utilize a little more speed".
Wright, a 22-year-old forward from Saskatoon, has two goals and three assists in 49 NHL games with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Capitals, under the guidance of new head coach Adam Oates, are coming off a 6-3 loss in Tampa on Saturday.
Braden Holtby will start his second straight game in goal for Washington.
The Capitals have won their last 10 straight home openers here at the Verizon Center.
Alex Ovechkin has 69 points (34 goals, 35 assists) in 48 career games against Atlanta/Winnipeg, which is his highest total against any team in the NHL.
Following tonight's game, the Jets return to Winnipeg for a two-game homestand starting Friday against Pittsburgh and Sunday versus the New York Islanders.
