Jets’ Pardy in for injured Stuart against Hurricanes tonight

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This article was published 16/02/2016 (3525 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

RALEIGH, N.C. — With three wins in their last four games, all the Winnipeg Jets have managed to do is keep pace in the NHL’s Western Conference playoff picture.

The gap between them and the final wildcard spot remains large — nine points heading into tonight’s game at PNC Arena against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Winnipeg is unbeaten in its last six road games, 5-0-1, and will go tonight without defenceman Mark Stuart, who broke his hand in the first period of Saturday’s 2-1 shootout win in Edmonton.

Into Stuart’s spot with Jacob Trouba goes Adam Pardy, who has played just 11 times for the Jets this season.

“I’m just thinking about the game, trying to prepare for it as best I can,” Pardy said after this morning’s game-day skate, asked what’s been going through his head in the last 24 hours. “I’m trying to visualize some plays and trying to see the game in my head before I get out on the ice because you know the legs aren’t going to be at game speed. It’s just been way too long off. No way to prepare for that. Just make sure my body’s loose and ready to go.”

Pardy was asked if he’s been feeling left out, having been used so little.

“That’s a tough question,” he said. “It’s a tight group in here. When you don’t play, of course you feel left out because you’re not in the room and you don’t get to have the same feelings everybody has. Game days, you don’t usually see the guys. So feeling left out? I don’t think so, but you definitely miss that side of the game, for sure.”

Jets coach Paul Maurice said Pardy’s assignment isn’t complicated.

“He needs to keep the game simple,” Maurice said. “As much as it isn’t just about him, it’s about how the whole group functions. But that’s his game anyway. He’s been a good penalty killer for us. I see us trending in the right direction on that front. Simple game, Move the puck, be physical.”

The Jets, 25-27-3 for 53 points, are playing the second game of a four-game road trip. They are in a string of 11 straight games to which they must travel and this is Stop No. 5.

They’re facing a team tonight that’s closer to the race in the Eastern Conference.

The Canes, at 60 points, are just four points off that line but must play a third straight game tonight without star defenceman Justin Faulk.

Carolina coach Bill Peters said this morning that Faulk just isn’t quite ready to play.

“He had another good day here, had a good workout and will get some more treatment and hopefully join us for a full practice with no limitations,” Peters said. “Just not quite there.”

Peters said he’s not reading too much into the team’s recent game, 11 days ago in Winnipeg, one the ‘Canes won 5-3 by getting off to a 4-0 start in the first 10-plus minutes.

“Not a lot,” he said. “It’s so hard coming out of that all-star game. Some of the games coming out of that break were a little bit uncharacteristic for us.

“But we’ve played with good pace. Our young D have been good.”

The Carolina coach also said there has been no issue around his dressing room about the status of pending UFA and captain Eric Staal.

“Zero distraction,” Peters said. “We met in training camp. He’s got a full no-move (clause) so who’s in charge? Simple as that.

“I play him 20 minutes a night, he plays well in all situations and we’ll keep doing it, so it’s real simple. No drama here.”

Peters will go with former Moose goalie Eddie Lack tonight, since Cam Ward is injured.

The Jets will counter with Ondrej Pavelec for a second straight game. Pavelec returned from a 33-game injury absence to win in Edmonton on Saturday night.

tim.campbell@freepress.mb.ca