Niederreiter Returns as Jets Face Wild in Winnipeg

Winnipeg will look to recover from its first regulation loss of the season when the Jets host the Minnesota Wild at Canada Life Centre on October 13, 2026. Veteran forward Nino Niederreiter returns to the lineup, giving the Jets another scoring option while pursuing his 500th career point against a division rival.

According to pregame reports from Sports Yahoo and Illegal Curve, the 34-year-old Swiss forward is expected to skate on the second line alongside Gabe Vilardi and Viggo Björck. Niederreiter had been scratched for three of Winnipeg's first five games, appearing in only two.

The Jets enter the matchup with a 3-1-1 record after losing 5-1 to the Anaheim Ducks on Friday. Minnesota arrives at 4-1-1 following a 4-2 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday, according to NHL.com. The game is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. Central Time.

Niederreiter's return carries individual significance because he is one point away from reaching 500 for his NHL career. His performance could also affect his prospects for a new contract, as he is approaching free agency and has recorded at least 35 points in recent seasons.

Against Minnesota, Niederreiter has accumulated eight goals and five assists for 13 points in 20 career games. He has recorded points in eight of his last 13 meetings with the Wild, producing 10 points during that stretch, according to Sports Yahoo.

Winnipeg also faces uncertainty on defense. Josh Morrissey remains day-to-day with an upper-body injury and was not expected to return for the matchup, according to Illegal Curve. Elias Salomonsson was also unavailable as he continued working toward readiness for contact, while Brad Lambert was projected to serve as the 13th forward.

For Minnesota, the game concludes its first back-to-back set of the season. The Wild defeated Vegas despite losing forward Nico Sturm after he was struck in the head by a puck. His status was listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury in the injury report published by The New York Times.

Minnesota's special teams have been a major strength early in the season. NHL.com reported that the Wild killed all five Vegas power plays and scored on their only power-play opportunity, bringing their penalty-kill percentage to 95.5% and their power-play percentage to 41.2%.

Calvin Pickard was expected to start in goal for Minnesota, while Stuart Skinner was projected to start for Winnipeg. Pickard enters his 12th NHL season with a career record of 157-74-77, a 2.96 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage across 191 games, including 157 starts.

Skinner, who previously shared Edmonton's goaltending duties with Pickard for three seasons, was expected to make his fourth start of the campaign. According to NHL.com, he entered the game with a 2-0-1 record, a 2.62 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage, having won his previous two starts.

Minnesota also brings a productive offensive leader into the matchup. Kirill Kaprizov had nine points, including six goals and three assists, through six games and had collected 24 points in 18 career appearances against Winnipeg, according to NHL.com.

The Jets and Wild entered the contest separated by two points in the standings, with Winnipeg seeking a response after its loss to Anaheim and Minnesota attempting to maintain momentum after its victory over Vegas.