Burmistrov’s availability a game-time decision as Jets host Preds

By: Tim Campbell Posted: 12:06 PM CST Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016

Obstacles are increasing for the Winnipeg Jets as they try to stay relevant in the Western Conference chase for playoff spots.

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Obstacles are increasing for the Winnipeg Jets as they try to stay relevant in the Western Conference chase for playoff spots.

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Obstacles are increasing for the Winnipeg Jets as they try to stay relevant in the Western Conference chase for playoff spots.

The Jets aren’t sure whether they’ll have centre Alexander Burmistrov available for tonight’s home game against the Nashville Predators.

Coach Paul Maurice said this morning, after Burmistrov participated only for a portion of today’s game-day skate, that the forward’s availability tonight will be a game-time decision.

Trevor Hagan / The Canadian Press Files
Alexander Burmistrov — Trevor Hagan / The Canadian Press Files Alexander Burmistrov

On top of that, the playoff line jumped two points on Wednesday night when the Colorado Avalanche came back and beat the Buffalo Sabres. The Avs have 51 points in the final wild-card spot, six more than the 21-22-3 Jets.

The Predators, too, are in the chase, at 48 points. They were in better position a month ago but have gone 1-5-1 in the last seven, including last Thursday’s overtime loss here.

Tonight’s theme, then, is obvious, said Jets winger Blake Wheeler, who had the extra-time winner last Thursday.

“You want to take care of your own business,” Wheeler said. “You don’t want to rely on other teams to beat the teams you’re trying to chase. We’ve put ourselves into a bit of a hole here so when you play teams in front of you, you have to try to make the most of it.”

There was nothing in the way of news today regarding three top-nine forwards that are on Winnipeg’s injured reserve list.

Centres Mark Scheifele and winger Drew Stafford are feeling a bit better but aren’t healthy enough for game action yet. Centre Adam Lowry is also out.

Their absences have caused a shift of lines and combinations and have left Mathieu Perreault to return to centre the team’s second line between rookies Nikolaj Ehlers and Joel Armia.

Ehlers said today he understands the pressure that comes with that move up in the lineup.

“We do have a lot of guys in right now and we have to step up as well,” said Ehlers, with eight goals and 17 points so far. “The whole team has to step up and we’re all prepared to do that.

“I like the pressure a little bit. I want to play well, go out there and win those games. I feel good the way I’ve played the past couple of games and I’m ready to go out there again tonight.

Apart from the regular skate this morning, No. 1 goalie Ondrej Pavelec, out since Nov. 21, was on the ice again and was seen taking actual shots from goalie coach Wade Flaherty in a session that followed the regular drills.

tim.campbell@freepress.mb.ca