FROM THE PRESS BOX
MIKE SAYS: Nyquist was a man of few words as he met with us this morning to discuss what has been an ugly start to his Jets career.
No goals in 20 games is not what anyone was expecting from a guy brought in last summer to provide some secondary scoring.
“Obviously haven’t produced enough offence,” he said. “So hopefully can do something today.”
No question being healthy scratched for four straight games was a blow to the ego — that was written all over his face and easily detectable in his voice — but the key now is how he responds.
The Jets sure could use something resembling the guy who scored 23 goals and had 75 points just two years ago in Nashville.
“Obviously it’s not fun. You want to be playing and when you’re out, try to be ready to go for the next call,” said Nyquist. “So try to bring that tonight.”
Speaking of struggling skaters, Cole Perfetti remains near the top of the list.
It was interesting to see him still on the ice this morning, long after the formal skate had ended and every other player who will be suiting up tonight in the locker room. Perfetti stayed on late with the healthy scratches, clearly hoping to find his game.
Winnipeg Jets forward Cole Perfetti will move back to the top power play unit. (Matt Slocum / The Associated Press files)
“He wants to keep handling pucks, making plays, doing stuff like that,” said Arniel.
“Like I said earlier, prior to this week, we haven’t had a whole lot of practice, a whole lot of chances to be out and doing those things. He’s taking advantage of it, which is good to see.”
One tweak tonight will see Perfetti moved back to the top power play unit, replacing Alex Iafallo in that role. Perhaps that will help light a spark.
Here’s another sign of how quickly things have fallen for the Jets and how opponents are viewing them: They’re suddenly facing a steady diet of backup goaltenders.
On Tuesday it was No. 1 man Jake Oettinger getting a rest, and tonight it will be Jeremy Swayman opening and closing the gate.
KEN SAYS: The quest for consistency will be ramping up in this one, as the Jets are trying to bottle up what they were able to do at five-on-five against the Stars, both in terms of offensive-zone time and chances generated — while also cleaning up the special-teams issues that contributed to another loss.
The idea being that if the Jets can be effective on the forecheck and spend less time defending against a top team like the Stars, they should be able to do it against a strong of other opponents.
However, the Jets haven’t done that enough times this season, so it will be up to the group to start stacking games to try and change that narrative.
This will be the 12th start during the past 13 games for Comrie, which easily represents the busiest stretch of his NHL career.
There have been some strong showings for Comrie during that span, but he’s posted a save percentage of .900 or better in just four of his past eight starts, so he’ll be looking to improve those numbers.
The Jets’ penalty kill has been an area of strength, but has allowed seven power-play goals during the past six games, which helped drop them to 19th in the NHL in efficiency — a precipitous fall after being in the Top 10 for the bulk of the opening third of the season.
Whether it’s doing a better job preventing easy zone entries or clearing loose pucks, the Jets haven’t been nearly as cohesive or aggressive while playing a man short and it’s been costing them lately.
For the Bruins, Strathclair product Morgan Geekie is battling Nathan MacKinnon for the Rocket Richard Trophy with 22 goals and 32 points.
Geekie, who is in his seventh NHL season, has generated some buzz when it comes to the potential of securing a spot on the Canadian Olympic team.
The Bruins have another connection to the community with forward Alex Steeves, whose dad, Glen, is from Winnipeg and played college hockey with the University of Manitoba Bisons.
Steeves is a fast, feisty player, who has six goals and eight points in 15 games with the Bruins this season.
A number of friends and family members will be in attendance for Steeves’ first NHL game in Winnipeg.
“A lot of the people that have supported me who will be here will be so excited,” said Steeves.
“For me, I’m trying to make it just another game. But it definitely means more than that. I’ve been a Jets fan since the team came back, by extension of my dad. It’s going to be really cool and I’m just going to try and enjoy it.”
PROJECTED LINES
WINNIPEG JETS
FORWARDS:
- Connor-Scheifele-Iafallo
- Perfetti-Namestnikov-Vilardi
- Niederreiter-Lowry-Nyquist
- Koepke-Barron-Toews
DEFENCE:
- Morrissey-DeMelo
- Samberg-Pionk
- Stanley-Schenn
GOAL:
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: D Miller, D Fleury, F Pearson
INJURED: G Hellebuyck (knee)
BOSTON BRUINS
FORWARDS:
- Steeves-Lindholm-Geekie
- Khusnutdinov-Minten-Pastrnak
- Mittelstadt-Zacha-Arvidsson
- Jeannot-Kuraly-Kastelic
DEFENCE:
- Zadorov-McAvoy
- Lindholm-Peake
- Lohrei-Aspirot
GOAL:
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: F Eyssimont, F Viel, D Soderstrom
INJURED: D Harris (undisclosed), D Jokiharju (undisclosed), F Callahan (lower body), F Blumel (lower body)
NOTABLE QUOTABLE
Jets coach Scott Arniel on the elusive search for a complete game from his group and coming close on Tuesday against Dallas:
“It’s not 60 minutes of it, but we were really close last game to 60 minutes of it. That’s part of what you do. You’ve got to build on the positives, you’ve got to build on the correct things. There still is some teaching on some of the moments when it isn’t right or doesn’t look right.
“But at the end of the day if we can continue to do that and build it period to period, game to game, and hopefully that carries into tonight and into Saturday and into Monday. That’s the best-case scenario for us.”
WHAT WE’RE WORKING ON
Ken has an early story coming on Strathclair’s Morgan Geekie, who will have plenty of family and friends in attendance as he makes his annual NHL visit to his home province.
Mike will handle Jets vs. Bruins games duties, with analysis and post-game reaction from the locker room.
You can find both pieces online and in Friday’s print edition.
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