Jets captain says team still in focus and will recover

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This article was published 14/03/2015 (4101 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

TAMPA — Give Andrew Ladd credit, he sure does have the sun-came-up-today speech down pat.

Not that Ladd has much choice. His Winnipeg Jets have played their way into a desperate situation and their captain can be counted as one of the men that cares about the wins and losses. He takes the losses hard. He just knows he has to park them and move on to the next day.

“Obviously this is not the place we want to be, but at the same time you realize there’s lots of hockey left to be played,” said Ladd Friday. “We’re still in a good spot for this time of the year. It’s all about moving on and trying to find a way to win (Saturday) night.”

The Jets go into tonight’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning having lost three of their last four and having slipped out of a wild-card playoff position.

With 78 points, Winnipeg sits one point back of the Los Angeles Kings for the final wild-card berth in the Western Conference.

The Jets are dealing with a number of key injuries, with Bryan Little, Dustin Byfuglien and Matthieu Perreault out of the lineup. The club could be adding Tyler Myers to that list.

Goaltending had been a strength for the team for much of the season, but it has faltered. Ladd says it’s nothing his group can’t handle.

“We’ve dealt with everything pretty head-on and done really well with that adversity. I don’t think there’s not a belief in that room that we can’t overcome whatever’s thrown our way,” he said. “Like I said, it’s all about just getting back on the saddle Saturday and getting a win against Tampa.”

There was no update on Myers the day after he left Thursday’s game with an upper-body injury, but Jets coach Paul Maurice has not ruled him out for tonight’s match.

Myers slid into the end boards in an awkward manner during the second period of the 4-2 loss to the Florida Panthers and did not return to the game.

The Jets held a practice in Tampa Friday, but only nine players took to the ice while a number played soccer in the arena hallways.

Myers was seen in street clothes and didn’t appear any worse for wear.

“I don’t know the answer to that. Won’t have an update for you until tomorrow,” said Maurice, when asked about Myers’ status. “It’s an upper body. We have to wait to find out the results.”

The Jets have recalled defenceman Keaton Ellerby from the St. John’s IceCaps in case Myers cannot play tonight.

“The report on Ellerby is really good, yes, very positive,” said Maurice. “He’s played with people here. It’s an advantage, we run the same systems there, so there shouldn’t be any of a learning curve for what he needs to do.”

Centre Bryan Little was on the ice, but is not expected to play against the Lightning. Forward Matt Halischuck is getting closer, and the club indicated if his progress continues, he would be in the lineup tonight.

“If we like what we see today, we’ll clear Halischuk,” said Maurice. “He was playing well when he went down. Lots of energy. I think we’ll look at that idea, getting some fresh legs in the lineup. If he’s ready to go, he gets through the skate, then he’ll have something to add.”

Only one goalie, Ondrej Pavelec, was on the ice taking shots. Michael Hutchinson was in shorts and a T-shirt following a light workout.

The team realizes tonight’s game carries a lot of weight.

“You’re so much more focused right now in terms of games. The standings… this is going to be tight all the way down the stretch for all of these teams,” said Maurice.

“There’s going to be wins and losses and whoever manages them the best has a chance. (I) didn’t spend a lot of time worrying about it or fretting about it. I think we’ve had a good sense of urgency around our room for quite some time.”

gary.lawless@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @garylawless