Maurice hopes to make magic with Jets forwards Burmistrov, Ehlers

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This article was published 04/12/2015 (3627 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It doesn’t pop out on the scoresheet – at least not yet – but Jets coach Paul Maurice has liked what he’s seen between Jets forwards Alex Burmistrov and rookie Nikloaj Ehlers.

When asked about his decision to stick with his No. 2 line of Mathieu Perreault, Mark Scheifele and Drew Stafford – the trio that exploded for seven points in the win after going dormant for a stretch of games – head coach Paul Maurice said he wants to keep Ehlers and Burmistrov together, who with Chris Thorburn make up the Jets third unit.

Friday, after a practice at the MTS Iceplex, Maurice expanded on the topic.

“What we’re finding about them is their hockey IQ is high and they have a willingness to play well defensively,” he said. “Alex has really impressed us defensively; there’s a lot of pressure on those centre-icemen… but for two guys, and especially with Ehlers who want to put numbers up here and show people they can, they haven’t cheated the game to do it.”

First assembled prior to a 4-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Nov. 18, the results in the offensive zone have been limited, with the line combining for just one goal in the last seven games. But as the two get more time together and the chemistry begins to build, Maurice believes it’s just a matter of time before things start to click. However, it’s not expected to happen overnight.

“I hope it comes at the appropriate rate without sacrificing anything defensively,” added Maurice. The Jets face the Washington Capitals Saturday afternoon at the MTS Centre. “Washington has a deep team so I don’t have an expectation…they’ll be able to generate at will but now they’re at a place where I’ve got comforts just letting them go play shifts against the other team’s best. The offence, I’ve got confidence it will come.”

Ehlers said after practice he’s liked what he’s seen from the line, specifically since the game against Minnesota Wild (3-1 win) last week, adding the energy and grit from Thorburn has opened up ice for players like him and Burmistrov who like to hold on to the puck.

“We’re really good buddies on and off the ice which makes it easier to play with each other on the ice,” said Ehlers of Burmistrov. “Of course, sometimes we keep the puck a little bit too much or make a play too much instead of just getting in to the net, but I think the past few games we’ve really gotten the puck to the net and played well. If we keep going like this I think it’s going to be a pretty good line.`

The Jets (12-12-2) will need all four lines going if they hope to earn a much-needed win against the Capitals – a team they fell 5-3 to just 10 days ago. The Capitals enter Saturday’s game (2 p.m., Sportsnet, TSN 1290) atop the Metropolitan Division with a record of 18-5-1 and are 8-1-1 in their last 10 games.

jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

twitter: @jeffkhamilton