FROM THE PRESS BOX
MIKE SAYS: The Jets are now on an impressive eight game run of scoring the first goal of the game, which certainly helps in the confidence department. Playing with the lead is obviously preferred over chasing, and it seems like Winnipeg has come out with a lot more purpose most nights.
“I think it’s not vital, it’s not going to make our break us. But it is nice to play with the lead, maybe guys feel a little bit better about themselves or a little bit of confidence that way,” said DeMelo.
“I think we’ve really been preaching since we beat LA (to end the 11-game drought) is just playing on our toes no matter the score and making sure we’re not being on our heels. Being assertive, being confident no matter the score.”
Winnipeg Jets defenceman Dylan DeMelo (Nick Wass / The Associated Press files)
Another obvious area of improvement for Winnipeg has to do with the amount of crease chaos they are causing. Perimeter play has been replaced by a prominent net-front presence, and it’s making life miserable for opponents. That is by design, an example of the Jets finally starting to do the very thing they were talking so much about only to have a tough time executing once the puck dropped.
“It’s been a great effort for everybody. We’ve scored a lot of goals in the paint,” said DeMelo.
“If a point shot is going in, it’s because of a good screen. The D are ready to shoot, maybe not overthinking things and keeping it a little bit more simple. And guys are doing a great job of getting in front of the net.
“Screens, tips, rebounds, those are the greasy goals that count at any time of the year and are big goals for us. If maybe you’re not feeling good about your game, it’s always good to go to the net-front. Throw pucks there, throw bodies there and usually good things happen. We’re getting rewarded from it right now.”
That’s also leading to defencemen being involved in the offence a lot more. The Jets have scored 33 goals in the last eight games. Blue-liners have combined for 22 points in that span (7G, 15A) which is an outstanding rate of production. Leading the way is Canadian Olympian Josh Morrissey (3G, 6A) who is playing some of the best hockey of his career.
KEN SAYS: The Jets are at the stage of the season where they can’t afford to worry about what might have been, but that Jan. 1 loss is looking more costly as the two teams prepare for the return engagement — and final meeting of the regular season.
Never mind blowing the 4-1 lead, but losing in regulation was a tough blow in the grand scheme of things, as a win there (or even an extra time point) would have put them in a better position in the uphill chase.
Jets centre Mark Scheifele is in the midst of a hot streak, coming off a four-point game against the Wild and has racked up 10 points during the past five to move him to 58 points in 46 games, which leaves him on track to challenge triple digits. Scheifele remains in the heart of the discussion for a spot on Canada’s Olympic team as an injury replacement and as an Ontario guy, he loves facing the Maple Leafs, especially on a national stage, as he’s produced 21 goals and 44 points in 31 career games against them.
Three of those points came on Jan. 1 and you can be sure he will be looking to build on those totals in this one.
It’s also worth noting the Jets’ fourth line has really found its footing of late, even though there have been a few different versions of it, they’ve managed to deliver some important offence, scoring in four of the past five games.
Tanner Pearson has contributed three of those goals to move him to seven goals (all of which have come at even strength) and 10 points in 40 games, which is solid production for someone used primarily on the fourth line.
Cole Koepke had the other fourth-line goal during the five-game block and he’s brought an infusion of speed into the lineup, forechecking effectively while also chipping in a bit of offence. With three goals and nine points in 31 games, he’s going to need a strong finish to hit double digits in goals for a second consecutive season, but he’s making a case to stay in the lineup regularly during the stretch run.
The Maple Leafs are in an interesting part of the schedule, as they’ve been piling up points to dig themselves out of a large hole, but they’re still on the outside looking in as it pertains to the Eastern Conference playoff chase.
Matthews delivered a hat trick against the Jets in the last meeting and he’s produced nine goals and 15 points during his past 10 games, so you can be sure he’s going to see a steady diet of Jets captain Adam Lowry in this one.
PROJECTED LINES
WINNIPEG JETS
FORWARDS:
- Connor-Scheifele-Iafallo
- Perfetti-Toews-Vilardi
- Niederreiter-Lowry-Namestnikov
- Koepke-Barron-Pearson
DEFENCE:
- Morrissey-DeMelo
- Samberg-Salomonsson
- Stanley-Schenn
GOAL:
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: F Nyquist, F Zhilkin, D Phillips
INJURED: D Fleury (nose, back), D Miller (lower-body), D Pionk (lower-body)
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
FORWARDS:
- McMann-Matthews-Domi
- Knies-Tavares-Maccelli
- Robertson-Roy-Cowan
- Lorentz-Laughton-Jarnkrok
DEFENCE:
- Rielly-Carlo
- McCabe-Stecher
- Ekman Larsson-Myers
GOAL:
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: F Quillan, D Benning
INJURED: G Stolarz (upper body), D Tanev (groin), D Benoit (lower body), RW Nylander (lower body), LW Joshua (kidney)
NOTABLE QUOTABLE
Jets coach Scott Arniel on how much of the Jan. 1 game he’s reference with his club, whether it’s through video review or dialogue:
“There will be clips that we use, both good and bad, but the big thing is that we had nine turnovers and seven of them became scoring chances the other way and that is not a team you can do that too, against any team really.
“We didn’t manage the puck very well, especially in that second period and that is something, back a few games, we have talked a lot about it, worked on it, and saw some really good teams that are good in transition these last two weeks where we had to make sure that was a key point that we made sure we did the right things. So, it is no different tonight and not handing them any free gifts and don’t give them freebies and that is all part of winning hockey games.”
WHAT WE’RE WORKING ON
Mike will have game analysis of Jets vs. Leafs. You can find it online.
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