Chiarot out, Stuart in for Jets against Coyotes

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This article was published 13/01/2017 (3166 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Defenceman Mark Stuart will draw into the Winnipeg Jets lineup for the first time since Nov. 29 tonight as a chastened Jets team tries to pick up the pieces following a humbling 7-4 loss to the Montreal Canadiens Wednesday night at the MTS Centre.

Stuart will replace Ben Chiarot in the lineup when the Jets face the Coyotes (12-22-6) at Gila River Arena (8 p.m., TSN3, TSN 1290). Chiarot missed practice in Winnipeg Thursday with what was initially described as illness, but head coach Paul Maurice said Friday that Chiarot also sustained an injury in Wednesday’s loss.

“He had the flu yesterday but when he came in he also brought in an injury he picked up in the previous night’s game,” said Maurice. “It’s upper body and he’s day to day, but we didn’t realize.”

Stuart has played just nine games this season and none at all in the last six weeks, but Maurice insisted rust will not be a concern. “He’s always been a great pro. He’s really in tune with what his body needs to stay sharp and works every single day. It’s not easy hopping into a game after such a long stretch off, but he will have given himself the best chance to be good.”

Stuart said he’s done all he could to prepare for a return to the lineup.

“You’ve got to stay ready, because when you do get the chance to get back in you want to be ready so you don’t let yourself or your teammates down.”

Maurice, who called a timeout during Wednesday’s second period to deliver a blistering rebuke to his lacklustre squad, uncharacteristically went public with his displeasure in his post-game comments, as well.

He was downplaying the fireworks display.

“I just barked at them a couple of times,” he said, preferring to look ahead to tonight’s effort. “I expect us to play hard and play our asses off from shift to shift.”

The Coyotes are coming off their bye week and haven’t seen game action since a 2-1 win over the New York Islanders back last Saturday.

Former Jets forward Alexander Burmistrov, who was claimed off waivers by the Coyotes earlier this month, practised with his new team for the first time this morning but will not be in tonight’s lineup.

Burmistrov had been stuck in Canada with visa problems, but was finally allowed to travel to Phoenix Thursday.

The Jets announced this morning they have called up defenceman Julian Melchiori from the Manitoba Moose and placed forward Patrik Laine on injured reserve with a concussion retroactive to Jan. 7.

paul.wiecek@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @PaulWiecek