The New York Islanders travel north to face the Winnipeg Jets in an inter-conference matchup on January 13, 2026. The Islanders are enjoying a solid season, positioned in the playoff hunt within the Metropolitan Division, while the Jets are struggling to find consistency in the Central Division, sitting below .500 and battling for relevance. With Winnipeg’s recent poor form and New York’s road success against them historically, this game could be a turning point for the Jets at home or another win for the Islanders’ balanced attack. Below is a comprehensive breakdown.
Venue Location
Canada Life Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. This 15,321-capacity arena, opened in 2004, serves as the Jets’ home and is renowned for its loud, supportive crowd, especially during mid-season games against Eastern opponents.
Puckdrop is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET (7:00 PM CT). The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and regionally on TSN3, with streaming options available via NHL Network or Fubo.
Injury Report
Both teams are navigating key absences, which could lead to cautious play and lower scoring, especially with top forwards and goaltenders affected.
New York Islanders:
C Bo Horvat (lower body): Out since early January; expected return around January 21. A major loss for faceoffs and scoring.
G Semyon Varlamov (undisclosed): On IR since late December; no clear timeline, forcing reliance on Ilya Sorokin.
RW Kyle Palmieri (knee/shoulder): Long-term IR since November; expected out until at least September, depleting wing depth.
D Alexander Romanov (undisclosed): Day-to-day; could play but has been limited recently.
Winnipeg Jets:
D Haydn Fleury (undisclosed): Placed on IR in early January; out indefinitely, thinning the blue line.
Additional depth issues: Reports indicate minor nagging injuries across the roster, but no other major absences confirmed as of January 12.
These injuries may force adjustments, with the Islanders leaning on secondary scoring and the Jets vulnerable defensively.
Key Player Matchups
This contest features speed vs. physicality, with New York’s skilled forwards testing Winnipeg’s goaltending and defense.
Mathew Barzal (NYI F) vs. Connor Hellebuyck (WPG G): Barzal’s elite speed and creativity (leading Islanders in assists) will challenge Hellebuyck’s positioning, especially in transition. Hellebuyck has a .905 save percentage this season but struggles against high-volume shooters.
Brock Nelson (NYI F) vs. Mark Scheifele (WPG F): A center battle where Nelson’s goal-scoring touch meets Scheifele’s playmaking. Nelson has 15+ goals; Scheifele leads Jets in points but has been inconsistent lately.
Anders Lee (NYI F) vs. Josh Morrissey (WPG D): Lee’s net-front presence will test Morrissey’s physicality. Morrissey anchors the Jets’ blue line with strong puck-moving, but Lee’s power-play prowess could exploit gaps.
Nikolaj Ehlers (WPG F) vs. Noah Dobson (NYI D): Ehlers’ sniping (top Jets scorer) vs. Dobson’s shutdown defense. Dobson leads Islanders defensemen in points and could limit Ehlers’ odd-man rushes.
These matchups emphasize New York’s offensive depth against Winnipeg’s home-ice forecheck.
Recent Team Forms
The Islanders are coming off strong performances, while the Jets have been in a slump, winning just twice in their last 10.
New York Islanders (Last 10 Games): 6-3-1
| Date | Opponent | Result |
| Jan 11 | vs MIN | W 4-3 OT |
| Jan 8 | vs NSH | W 3-2 |
| Jan 6 | @ TOR | L 2-4 |
| Jan 3 | vs BUF | W 5-1 |
| Jan 1 | @ OTT | W 3-2 |
| Dec 30 | vs PIT | L 1-3 SO |
| Dec 28 | @ NJD | W 9-0 |
| Dec 26 | vs PHI | L 2-3 |
| Dec 23 | @ NYR | W 4-2 |
| Dec 20 | vs CAR | L 3-4 OT |
New York has a +12 goal differential in this stretch, with strong goaltending (.920 save percentage) and road wins in four of last six away games.
Winnipeg Jets (Last 10 Games): 2-5-3
| Date | Opponent | Result |
| Jan 11 | vs NJD | W 4-3 |
| Jan 8 | @ CHI | L 2-5 |
| Jan 6 | vs STL | L 1-3 |
| Jan 3 | @ MIN | L 3-4 OT |
| Jan 1 | vs DAL | L 2-4 |
| Dec 30 | @ COL | W 3-2 |
| Dec 28 | vs EDM | L 1-4 |
| Dec 26 | @ CGY | L 2-3 SO |
| Dec 23 | vs VAN | L 3-5 |
| Dec 20 | @ SEA | L 1-3 |
Winnipeg has been outscored 32-21 recently, with poor home form (1-3-1 in last five at Canada Life) and defensive issues allowing 3.4 goals per game.
Series History
The Islanders hold a dominant all-time edge with a 40-29-2-3 record against the Jets (54.1% win rate) over 74 games, outscoring them 262-208. In the last 10 meetings, New York is 7-3, including wins in four of the last five. Winnipeg has struggled at home lately, losing three of the last five in Canada Life Centre. Games often trend under the total, with low-scoring affairs in recent years.
Betting Trends
Puck Line: Islanders 6-4 ATS in last 10.
Over/Under: Under has hit in 10 of Islanders’ last 12 road games and in recent series.
Other Trends: Islanders 9-3 SU in last 12 vs. Jets; Jets 2-8 SU in last 10 overall. New York strong as underdogs
Game Odds
New York Islanders 5.5
Winnipeg Jets – 135
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, January 12, 2026
