Jets lineup still solidifying ahead of Sabres game

By: Ed Tait Posted: 1:09 PM CST Monday, Dec. 15, 2014

The Winnipeg Jets can ill afford another hit to their blueline corps. And so when Jacob Trouba was not on the ice at practice Monday, the alarm bells start clanging loudly.

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The Winnipeg Jets can ill afford another hit to their blueline corps. And so when Jacob Trouba was not on the ice at practice Monday, the alarm bells start clanging loudly.

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This article was published 15/12/2014 (4013 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Jets can ill afford another hit to their blueline corps. And so when Jacob Trouba was not on the ice at practice Monday, the alarm bells start clanging loudly.

“Off day today and we’ll see how he feels tomorrow,” said Jets coach Paul Maurice after the workout. “So, we’ll put him at ‘probable’ as of right now.”

Trouba finished Saturday’s 4-1 loss to Anaheim and the Jets were off on Sunday.

Winnipeg Jets' Mark Scheifele (55) during practice Monday morning at the MTS Centre.

The Jets are already without Zach Bogosian and Toby Enstrom, but did take Grant Clitsome off injured reserve on the weekend. He was working with Adam Pardy at practice, with the other two defensive pairings featuring Dustin Byfuglien and Ben Chiarot, and Mark Stuart with Paul Postma.

“I feel great,” said Clitsome. “I had the chance to get quite a few practices in, a few skates on the road there and a couple days off to get some rest. I feel a lot better. My conditioning feels good. I haven’t been off too, too long.

“I’m not sure (when he will be back in the lineup). I was skating with Pards (Pardy) today and hopefully it will be the same tomorrow. I feel ready to go so, hopefully, soon.”

Clitsome has dressed for 16 games this year after missing a huge chunk last season after back surgery. And seeing how well players like Ben Chiarot have done with the D corps depleted also serves as a reminder as to how tenuous a spot in the NHL can be.

“It’s tough… missing more than half of last season and then a couple of weeks now… it sucks,” said Clitsome. “I’m just looking forward to consistently being in the lineup and trying to help. Ben’s been playing great hockey and big minutes. I’m just going to come in and do what’s asked of me.”

The Jets will face the Buffalo Sabres Tuesday night (7 p.m.) in the second of a four-game homestand that opened with Saturday’s loss to Anaheim. The Sabres, who are home to Ottawa Monday, have won three straight and are 7-3 in their last 10.

“They’re playing well lately,” said Jets captain Andrew Ladd of the Sabres. “They’ve got a young group that battles extremely hard and comes to play on a nightly basis. They seem to have figured it out a little bit since the last time we played them and it’s not going to be an easy night.”