Jets eager to test themselves against tougher opponents

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This article was published 11/10/2015 (3646 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

NEW YORK — The Winnipeg Jets impressive start to the 2015-16 season is about get tested.

The Jets play their second of back-to-back games on Monday and Tuesday, with a Columbus Day matinee in Brooklyn against the New York Islanders followed by a meeting with the Rangers at Madison Square Garden.

And they can’t wait to get at it against two clubs expected to be Eastern Conference contenders.

“That’s the way you want to start your season,” said Jets winger Mathieu Perreault on the team’s wins in Boston and New Jersey.

“(Our line) created a lot of chances in Boston and again in New Jersey. We were able to get a couple of goals in the two games. We’re building on that. The way our D are playing right now, it helps our team a lot. We don’t get to spend (much) time in the D-zone. Their gap has been really good so it makes it easy for us forwards.”

The Jets will be just the second opponent for the Isles in their new home, the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, after a 3-2 OT win by Chicago on Friday.

Barclays is home to the NBA’s Nets and was built as a basketball facility.

“It’s going to be a new experience for everybody,” said Jets winger Drew Stafford. “I’m looking forward to see what kind of facilities they have there. It’s brand new and I know they’re trying to adjust to a hockey set-up, but it’s kind of like the old MSG — they had to go through an adjustment period there with the hockey rink and the benches and upgrades and renovations. I’m sure Barclays will figure it out as time goes on but it’s a newer facility so I’m looking forward to checking it out.”

FYI: Tyler Myers left the ice early on Sunday and did not return. But Jets coach Paul Maurice expects him in the lineup Monday against the Islanders. “He’ll be fine,” said Maurice. “It happens a lot over the course of the year. Some guys bodies just don’t get warmed up to a point and we want to make sure those guys don’t stay or try to fight through something that’s not loosening up. We have a full expectation he plays (Monday).”… As for his goalie rotation — Ondrej Pavelec started Thursday in Boston, Michael Hutchinson a day later in Jersey — Maurice wouldn’t tip his hand. “We’ve talked about it, but now we’ll just wait. We were splitting the first (two) for sure. Very likely is probably the way I’ve got it, but the door is not completely closed on anybody going back-to-back.”

QUOTABLE: “I love my line. It’s awesome playing with Matty and Ehlers, they’re unbelievable players. They have unbelievable skill and they’re smart players as well. I love playing with both of them and hopefully we can continue to build that chemistry.” — Jets centre Mark Scheifele on linemates Mathieu Perreault and Nikolaj Ehlers.

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @WFPEdTait