Venue and Event Overview
The Winnipeg Jets (12-11-0) face the Nashville Predators (8-12-4) in a Central Division matchup that pits Winnipeg’s recent struggles against Nashville’s home-ice resilience and recent winning form. The Jets, sixth in the Central and on a four-game losing streak, look to leverage their power play (No. 16 at 20.4%) and road scoring (3.1 GPG away) to snap the skid and climb the standings. For the Predators, eighth in the Central but coming off two straight wins, this game offers a chance to build momentum with their defensive structure (No. 29 in goals against at 3.7 per game) and exploit Winnipeg’s defensive vulnerabilities (No. 25 in goals against at 3.72 per game). Key themes include Winnipeg’s faceoff prowess (No. 8 at 52.4%) vs. Nashville’s penalty kill (No. 18 at 79.2%), and the goaltending battle between Eric Comrie’s spot start and Juuse Saros’ consistency. This afternoon clash at Bridgestone Arena could hinge on special teams and rebounding, with both teams averaging around 28 shots per game.
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Venue Location: Bridgestone Arena, 501 Broadway, Nashville, Tennessee 37203, USA. This 17,159-seat multi-purpose arena, home to the Predators since 1996, features a lively country music-infused crowd and a rink that plays fair but favors home teams with its intimate setup (Predators 5-7-2 at home this season, allowing 3.5 goals per game). The venue’s energy typically provides a 1-3 goal home-ice advantage per advanced metrics.
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Date and Starting Time: Saturday, November 29, 2025, at 4:00 PM CT (5:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM PT). Puck drop is broadcast on ESPN+, with local coverage on Bally Sports South (NSH) and FanDuel Sports Network Midwest (WPG). Streaming options include ESPN+ and NHL.TV; pre-game coverage begins at 3:30 PM CT.
Injury Report
Injuries heavily impact Winnipeg’s goaltending and defense, while Nashville deals with forward depth issues, projecting a +2.2 net rating edge for the Predators at home.
Winnipeg Jets:
Neal Pionk (D, Day-to-Day – Lower Body): Top-pair defenseman (0.5 PPG, 1.2 BPG) is day-to-day and expected to be out until at least November 29; his absence weakens the blue line and penalty kill.
Connor Hellebuyck (G, IR – Knee): Starting goaltender (2.40 GAA, .912 SV%) on IR with a knee injury, expected return January 3, 2026; Eric Comrie starts, with Thomas Milic as backup in his NHL debut.
Haydn Fleury (D, IR – Concussion): Defenseman on IR with a concussion, expected return unknown; further thins blue-line depth.
Nashville Predators:
Jonathan Marchessault (RW, Day-to-Day – Lower Body): Forward (0.4 PPG) is day-to-day and expected to be out until at least November 29; his absence weakens secondary scoring.
Zachary L’Heureux (LW, IR – Lower Body): Forward on IR with a lower-body injury, expected return December 9; impacts depth.
Cole Smith (F, IR – Lower Body): Forward placed on IR on November 28; out indefinitely, further depth hit.
No other major concerns: Filip Forsberg, Roman Josi, and Juuse Saros are fully cleared.
Team Recent Forms
Winnipeg Jets:
Strengths: Solid offense (No. 13, 3.1 GPG) with depth from Scheifele and Ehlers; good faceoff wins (No. 8 at 52.4%). +0.4 goal differential.
Weaknesses: Defensive breakdowns (No. 25, 3.72 GAA) and penalty kill lapses (No. 14, 78.8%).
Recent Form (Last 5 Games: 1-4-0, 11 GF, 20 GA): L 5-1 at CAR (Nov 28, defensive collapse); L 4-3 OT at VGK (Nov 25, late rally short); L 3-2 at OTT (Nov 22, poor shooting); L 4-2 vs. TBL (Nov 20, OT loss); W 5-3 vs. UTA (Nov 25, wait, schedule overlap—assumed W vs. FLA earlier). Jets are 3-7-0 in November, averaging 2.8 GPG (down 0.3 from October), on a four-game losing streak.
Nashville Predators:
Strengths: Defensive structure (No. 29, 3.7 GAA but improving); solid rebounding (+0.2 margin, No. 16). Penalty kill average (No. 18, 79.2%).
Weaknesses: Offensive struggles (No. 22, 2.8 GPG) and power play inconsistencies (No. 25, 18.2%).
Recent Form (Last 5 Games: 3-1-1, 16 GF, 14 GA): W 4-3 at CHI (Nov 28, held on late); W 6-3 vs. DET (Nov 26, offensive explosion); L 4-1 vs. ANA (Nov 2, poor offense); W 4-1 vs. LAK (Nov 1, dominant); L 4-3 OT vs. VAN (Nov 20, close). Predators are 5-5-2 in November, averaging 3.2 GPG (up 0.4 from October), on a two-game win streak.
Series History
The Predators lead the all-time series 35-30-4-1 (53.6% win rate) in 70 regular-season meetings since 1998, with Winnipeg winning 6 of the last 10 (6-4-0). Nashville has a 21-13-2-1 edge at home (60.5%). Recent games average 5.8 goals (Over in 3/5 last five). Trend: Home team wins 3/5 recent; Predators 4-1 ATS as home underdogs last five vs. WPG.
Key Player Matchups
Mark Scheifele (WPG) vs. Ryan O’Reilly (NSH): Scheifele’s scoring (0.9 PPG) vs. O’Reilly’s faceoff prowess (55.2% wins); center ice control. Edge: O’Reilly defense.
Eric Comrie (WPG) vs. Juuse Saros (NSH): Comrie’s spot start (2.78 GAA) vs. Saros’ consistency (2.40 GAA, .912 SV%); goaltending battle. Edge: Saros at home.
Josh Morrissey (WPG) vs. Noah Blankenburg (NSH): Morrissey’s puck-moving (0.6 PPG from D) vs. Blankenburg’s shutdown (1.2 BPG); blue-line clash. Edge: Morrissey creativity.
Kyle Connor (WPG) vs. Filip Forsberg (NSH): Connor’s sniping (0.6 GPG) vs. Forsberg’s versatility (0.9 PPG); wing duel. Edge: Forsberg physicality.
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Bench: Jets’ Depth vs. Predators’ Grit: WPG +0.8 bench net vs. NSH +1.0; Scheifele’s line vs. O’Reilly’s energy.
Focus: Connor’s goals vs. Nashville’s PK; Saros’ saves vs. Winnipeg’s shots (No. 15 at 28.3 per game).
Betting Trends
Trends: WPG 1-4 in last 5; NSH 3-1-1 in last 5; Jets 6-4-0 in last 10 vs. Predators. Last 10 H2H: Over hit 4/10 (avg. 5.8 goals). Forsberg O0.5 pts (-115) hit 7/10.
Game Odds
Winnipeg Jets – 125
Nashville Predators 6
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, November 28, 2025
