Jets happy to have homestand against Leafs, Capitals

By: Ed Tait Posted: 1:12 PM CST Monday, Nov. 30, 2015

There's no truth to the rumour that when the Winnipeg Jets returned home from Denver in the wee hours Sunday – wrapping up what has been a grueling travel month – that the players and coaches needed to use their GPS just to find their way home.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 30/11/2015 (3575 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

There’s no truth to the rumour that when the Winnipeg Jets returned home from Denver in the wee hours Sunday – wrapping up what has been a grueling travel month – that the players and coaches needed to use their GPS just to find their way home.

But it sure as heck must have felt that way.

“It was a gruelling schedule,” began Jets forward Adam Lowry after Monday’s conditioning skate at the MTS Centre. “Obviously we didn’t get the results we’ve been hoping for, but looking at our last five or six games the style we’ve played and the way the team has played for the most part, there’s been stretches where we haven’t been happy in that segment, we feel like our game is coming along.

JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Winnipeg Jets Alexander Burmistrov has a chat with goaltender Connor Hellebuck at practice at MTS Centre. — JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Winnipeg Jets Alexander Burmistrov has a chat with goaltender Connor Hellebuck at practice at MTS Centre.

“It’s important for guys with families to get to spend a little bit of time at home. It’s a mental grind with the amount of road games we’ve played and with that rest it’s important for us to get back in the gym and get back that strength you might have lost.”

On the weekend the Jets completed a stretch that saw them play 15 games in 29 days, with 11 of them on the road – three of them back-to-back situations with games on consecutive days. All told, the team was on the road for 20 of 30 days since late October through Saturday’s loss in Denver.

It took a toll, too, on both the Jets’ game and their bodies.

“We’re not exactly happy with how the month went, but it’s nice to be home for a bit and get some rest,” said Bryan Little. “It’s been a hard schedule, especially that last road trip and going across all the time zones in North America but it’s part of the schedule and everyone at some point has a tough part and that was ours so we’re looking forward to playing some home games.”

The Jets are home to play Toronto and Washington on Wednesday and Saturday.

Blake Wheeler was not on the ice on Monday, but coach Paul Maurice said he was good to go later this week.

He also attempted to tone down the hype building around goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who started and won his first start last Friday in Minnesota.

“The line is… ‘Cats and shiny objects,’” said Maurice. “Just relax a little bit here. We’ll keep in mind he’s played in one (game) and he’s going to get the opportunity to play more. He’ll get whatever he earns and deserves.”

Ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @WFPEdTait