FROM THE PRESS BOX
MIKE SAYS: How can you not hope for good things here in Columbus, with a franchise and a city that sure could use a break.
From young goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks dying on a freak fireworks accident on July 4, 2021 to the more recent tragedy involving Gaudreau, it seems like there’s been nothing but a dark cloud over this place for years.
They’ve also had no shortage of major injuries and illnesses, including former Jets star Patrik Laine spending most of last season in the NHL’s player assistance program. Throw in the Mike Babcock mess last year and the list seems endless.
Walking to the rink this morning from my downtown hotel, the signs of Gaudreau’s legacy are everywhere. Jerseys with his name and number, the fan tribute/shrine that was enacted after he and his brother were run down by a suspected drunk driver, and even the number 13 on the chest of Evason’s track suit as he spoke with us.
Then we went into the room, and I had a candid one-on-one with former Jets forward Sean Monahan, who was Gaudreau’s best friend. (Monahan’s wife and Gaudreau’s wife are, too).
He’s playing with a heavy heart this year but is making a big impact in his latest hockey home with nine points (5G, 4A) in his first nine games.
“He’s the man,” sophomore forward Adam Fantilli told me, a big smile on his face as he eagerly provided plenty of insight about the mentorship and leadership from Monahan, who the Jets acquired last February from the Montreal Canadiens.
Monahan put up 25 points (13G, 12A) in 39 combined regular season and playoff games, then ultimately signed a five-year, US $27.5 million contract with Columbus on July 1 despite attempts by Winnipeg to bring him back as their second-line centre. The connection to the Gaudreaus was a major factor.
What has Monahan done for your organization in this most difficult time, I asked Evason.
“Everything,” the Manitoba product replied before going on at length.
I’ll have much more on Monahan in a piece coming later today.
KEN SAYS: Kyle Connor hit and eclipsed 500 points on Wednesday in his home state of Michigan, producing a goal and two helpers to extend his point streak to 10 games. That he hit the milestone in 541 games is impressive, which is also one of many words used to describe his season to date.
Winnipeg Jets left wing Kyle Connor (81) scores on Detroit Red Wings goaltender Alex Lyon (34) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday in Detroit. (Carlos Osorio / The Associated Press)
The NHL recognized him accordingly this afternoon by naming his as the Second Star of October. (Colorado Avalanche defenceman Cale Makar was the First Star, while Minnesota Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov made it a Central Division sweet by winning Third Star honours).
Going into Friday’s action, Connor was tied for third in the league lead in goals (nine) and tied for fifth in points (17). Gaudy numbers, to be sure, but Connor’s ability to produce while embracing his role on the penalty kill and frequently hustling on the backcheck means that he’s been the most consistent forward through 10 games.
Connor has four power play goals (including one in overtime at four-on-three), one shorthanded marker, one at six-on-five and three at five-on-five. His release seems even quicker this season and he’s provided the game-winning goal in three of the Jets’ nine wins so far.
Going into the season, one of my predictions was that Connor could hit 50 goals for the first time in his career and the scary thing is, I may have short-changed him.
Speaking of the top line, Gabe Vilardi seems to be finding his offensive groove, chipping in three goals and five points during the past five games while Mark Scheifele also has five points during the past five games to sit second on the team in points behind Connor.
The Blue Jackets are one of the biggest surprises in the NHL so far. They’re getting great goaltending from Merzlikins and have shown early signs of buy-in under Evason. Having Zach Werenski back on defence has provided a big boost for the Blue Jackets and Monahan has helped stabilize the centre position, given his all-around game.
Fantilli and Cole Sillinger are two young forwards to watch this evening.
Sillinger, who was linked to the Jets when the Rutger McGroarty rumour mill was at its hottest, has come out strong — with two goals and eight points in nine games.
PROJECTED LINES
WINNIPEG JETS
FORWARDS:
- Connor-Scheifele-Vilardi
- Perfetti-Namestnikov-Ehlers
- Niederreiter-Lowry-Appleton
- Barron-Kupari-Iafallo
DEFENCE:
- Morrissey-DeMelo
- Samberg-Pionk
- Stanley-Miller
GOAL:
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: D Coghlan, D Fleury, F Gustafsson
INJURED: D Heinola (ankle), F Anderson-Dolan (foot)
COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
FORWARDS:
- Chinakov-Monahan-Marchenko
- Sillinger-Fantilli-Pyyhtia
- Aston-Reese-Danforth-Olivier
- Van Riemsdyk-Kuraly-Voronkov
DEFENCE:
- Werenski-Provorov
- Christiansen-Severson
- Johnson-Harris
GOAL:
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: F Labanc, D Jiricek
INJURED: F Jenner (shoulder), F Johnson (shoulder), F Brindley (broken finger), F Lindstrom (back), F Dumais (sports hernia), D Gudbranson (shoulder)
NOTABLE QUOTABLE
Jets defenceman Dylan DeMelo on what he expects from the Blue Jackets tonight:
“They’re playing great hockey. A lot of young guys and they’re playing hard. They’re not giving you an inch out there. They’ve got good structure.
“We know Dean Evason from Minnesota (days). His teams play hard, there’s no doubt about it. They’ve beaten some really good teams in this building.
“We’ve got our work cut out for us. We know it’s not going to be an easy game. We’re going to have to bring a great effort to beat these guys.”
WHAT WE’RE WORKING ON
Mike is on scene in Columbus and, along with Ken, will be filing the latest edition of Dump & Chase, our weekly NHL column. Mike will then have full coverage of Jets vs. Blue Jackets from Nationwide Arena. You can find both pieces online and in Saturday’s Free Press print edition.
|
