Lightning Vs Jets: How to watch and what to expect March 5
The Tampa Bay Lightning (38-17-4) and the Winnipeg Jets (24-26-10) meet March 5, 2026 at Canada Life Centre, starting at 8 p. m. ET on +. Lightning Vs Jets matters now because Winnipeg sits nine points out of a playoff spot while Tampa Bay remains second in the Eastern Conference.
TV, radio and pregame timing
The game is slated for 7: 00 p. m. CT on local television with radio coverage on 680 CJOB and Power 97; viewers outside the region can watch on + at 8 p. m. ET. Winnipeg’s pregame show, "The Check In, " will air at 12: 30 p. m. CT with Sara Orlesky and Jamie Thomas.
Winnipeg’s stretch, injuries and locker-room focus
The Jets have posted points in four straight games coming out of the Olympic break and rallied for a 3-2 overtime win against the Chicago Blackhawks after erasing a 2-1 deficit in the third period. That win stretched Winnipeg’s run of games decided after regulation to four; if Thursday’s game goes to overtime, it would be the franchise’s first five-game overtime streak. The Jets enter the matchup nine points outside a playoff spot and are dealing with roster uncertainty around several expiring contracts, including Luke Schenn, Cole Koepke, Tanner Pearson and Gustav Nyquist.
Coach Scott Arniel emphasized the need to get inside against Tampa Bay, saying the Jets must avoid playing on the outside and must defend the slot area. Forward Gabe Vilardi pointed to the team’s need to convert close games into wins after a recent stretch with blown leads, and Adam Lowry said teammates are trying to support players facing contract uncertainty.
Matchups, betting angle and goaltending
Expect a tight, low-scoring game; one prediction calls for the Under 5. 5 goals. Winnipeg has managed just 11 goals in four games since the Olympic break, while Tampa Bay has allowed the second-fewest goals per game (2. 64) and ranks third in expected goals against per 60 minutes at five-on-five. The night could feature a goaltender showdown between two Vezina winners: Connor Hellebuyck, who has taken home the award the past two seasons, and Andrei Vasilevskiy, who owns a. 918 save percentage and a 2. 21 goals-against average since the start of 2024. Gabriel Vilardi has produced two or more shots in 10 of his past 17 games, a detail Winnipeg will lean on offensively.
Injury notes for the matchup list Gage Goncalves as day-to-day (lower body) and Vladislav Namestnikov out (lower body). Tampa Bay arrives having lost three straight but still leads the Atlantic Division; Winnipeg is preparing to test itself against one of the stronger defensive teams in the league.
The next confirmed event on the calendar is the trade deadline at 2 p. m. CT tomorrow afternoon, which figures to shape roster decisions; for Thursday, fans can tune in at 8 p. m. ET on + (7: 00 p. m. CT local) and follow Winnipeg’s pregame coverage beginning at 12: 30 p. m. CT.
