FROM THE PRESS BOX
MIKE SAYS: It’s hard to believe the Jets have won five of seven games on this homestand despite scoring just one power-play goal in that span. They are just 1-for-14 in that span, which puts even more pressure on five-on-five play.
Getting the man-advantage going was a key point of discussion this morning.
“Special teams can be difference makers,” said Morrissey.
“Our PK has been great and I think for us on the power play, we are at our best when it is not predictable and we are a threat with all five guys. All five guys are in the right spots and then it is just that battle and compete trying to win loose-puck battles and get those second and third opportunities. We have done a lot of good things but we have another gear as a group. In the meeting this morning, I know we want to be a difference maker down the stretch and we need it to be (better) in some big games. It is great we have been playing well and (hopefully) our power play can take the next step too, and that would help us even more.”
I’ve lost track of how many times Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele have taken over the team goal-scoring lead this season. They appear to be playing a fun game of one-upmanship, which is certainly helping the entire Jets team. Both players are now up to 31 goals and might approach 40 at this rate.
“Unbelievable up and down the ice, the control they have,” said their current wingman, Alex Iafallo.
“Offensively how they get to the net, two-on-twos, three-on-twos, stuff like that. You always know they’re getting in those scoring chances. So, you know, it’s pretty cool to see. And it’s been fun playing with them.”
KEN SAYS: Jets forward Morgan Barron continues to earn more responsibility and he rewarded his head coach with a two-assist effort on Sunday. The outburst allowed Barron to set a career high for points with 21, and he’s one off the pace for goals with 16 regular season games to update the mark in that category.
Winnipeg Jets forward Morgan Barron (Godofredo A. Vásquez / The Associated Press files)
Beyond the offensive improvements, Barron has been sent out for critical draws in recent games and is routinely among the first forwards over the boards to kill penalties. His size, skating ability and increased production make him a strong candidate for an off-season extension.
Since Barron can become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career after the 2026-27 campaign, convincing him to stick around for the long haul looks like a priority for Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff.
The play of Jets defenceman Dylan Samberg has been trending upward of late, as he’s been frequently showcasing the stout defensive play that allowed him to flourish in a second pairing role last season.
On Sunday, Samberg was breaking up plays with regularity and finished with five blocked shots while logging 23:12 of ice time, second only to Morrissey.
Speaking of Jets D-men, Haydn Fleury snapped an 80-game goal-scoring drought that stretched back to December of 2023, thanks in part to a pair of freak injuries that put sidelined him for an extended period of time. Fleury used his swift skating ability to join the play and create an odd-man rush, then he beat Jordan Binnington with a wrist shot after taking a pass from Brad Lambert.
For Lambert, it was his first point in five games since this latest recall. Although Lambert’s ice time has mostly been below 10 minutes per game, he’s trying to strike the balance between earning the trust of the coaching staff while using his speed and creativity.
The Predators continue to be led by centre Ryan O’Reilly, who is a two-way threat that generated plenty of buzz around the NHL trade deadline. O’Reilly is averaging nearly a point per game, with 22 goals and 61 points in 65 games this season.
Fellow Predators veteran forward Steven Stamkos has put a slow start to the season behind him to lead his team with 31 goals and is third in points with 51 behind O’Reilly and Filip Forsberg. Stamkos also has 33 goals and 60 points in 50 career games against the Jets.
PROJECTED LINES
WINNIPEG JETS
FORWARDS
- Connor-Scheifele-Iafallo
- Perfetti-Lowry-Vilardi
- Nyquist-Toews-Rosen
- Koepke-Barron-Lambert
DEFENCE
- Morrissey-DeMelo
- Samberg-Salomonsson
- Fleury-Bryson
GOAL
- Hellebuyck
- Comrie
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: D Heinola
INJURED: D Pionk (lower body), D Miller (lower body), LW Niederreiter (lower body), F Namestnikov (lower body)
NASHVILLE PREDATORS
FORWARDS
- Stamkos-O’Reilly-Evangelista
- Forsberg-Wood-Marchessault
- Jost-Haula-L’Heureux
- Schaefer-Svechkov-Wiesblatt
DEFENCE
- Skjei-Josi
- Hague-Perbix
- Barron-Ufko
GOAL
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: F Kemell
INJURED: D Wilsby (lower body)
NOTABLE QUOTABLE
Jets coach Scott Arniel on what his team has been doing better lately when it comes to defensive play:
“The guts of the ice. I’m not getting into all the details, but in a roundabout way the guts of the ice, not allowing teams to get in there freely, not allowing them to get second and third chances. It breaks down at times and you’re going to give up opportunities. And that’s where your goaltenders have to step up. But at the same time, we’re really trying to limit what happens in those areas. If it gives you a chance to get puck possession back, keep the opposition out of your end of the rink, that’s what we’re hoping for.”
WHAT WE’RE WORKING ON
Mike has an early Jets notebook looking at a variety of topics and will have game coverage of Jets vs. Predators this evening. You can find both pieces online at winnipegfreepress.com and in Wednesday’s print edition.
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