Jets must avoid getting burned by Flames’ hot blue-line corps

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This article was published 09/01/2017 (3183 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Jets need to be very aware of the Calgary Flames’ offensively minded blue-line corps when the clubs meet tonight at the MTS Centre.

The Jets were thumped 6-2 by the Flames the last time the clubs met, Dec. 10 in Calgary.

Winnipeg head coach Paul Maurice said his club (19-20-3) had a tough time handling the Flames when their defence joined the rush.

“That game specifically, we had a very difficult time with the fourth man up the ice. Their D are active, that hasn’t changed,” he said.

Calgary defenceman Dougie Hamilton feasted on the Jets that night, scoring twice during a four-goal second period and chipping in an assist.

He leads a productive blue-line with six goals and 17 assists this season, while captain Mark Giordano has five goals and 13 helpers.

“They found the late man. There’s a few reasons why that happens,” Maurice noted. “The puck carrier’s got too much time to turn and find the late man and you’ve given too much ice to allow that to happen.

“For us, we’re challenged picking that late guy up and not getting beat up the ice on it.”

Calgary (22-18-3) is looking for its second victory in a row after dumping the visiting Vancouver Canucks 3-1 Saturday.

Winnipeg is coming off a 4-3 loss Saturday to the host Buffalo Sabres, snapping the team’s modest two-game winning streak. The Jets lost rookie right-winger Patrik Laine to a concussion in the game. Winnipeg’s leading goal scorer (21) won’t play tonight but continues to be assessed.

Drew Stafford takes his spot on a line with centre Mark Scheifele and left-winger Nikolaj Ehlers.

Maurice was asked this morning for a progress report on his star rookie forward.

“So, I won’t be giving you a daily temperature reading. The first time you’ll see him would be (when he’s) back on the ice,” he said. ‘He has to go through the normal stretch. He becomes symptom free. He starts very light off-ice workouts that get augmented until he can get on the ice, and light skates until he can get to contact.”

Maurice said there’s no minimum time a player with a concussion has to be sidelined.

“He’s going to have to be symptom free and we’re going to have to be real sure that there’s enough time on that,” he said.

“There’s a daily routine of what we’re going to put a guy through, but — and this is where this is difficult for everyone – because a guy passes one test doesn’t mean he’s gonna pass it three days later. So, you’re always checking back and maybe having to go back a day or two.”

Stafford, who scored his third goal of the season against the Sabres, his former club, said he’s excited about getting a chance to play more of an offensive role after spending the last few games on the fourth line.

“I’m going to do my best to take advantage of it. Obviously, it’s unfortunate circumstances. We wish Patty the best,” said Stafford. “In the meantime, we have to focus on winning games. The opportunity I have to slide in and hopefully contribute in more of an offensive role, I’m definitely gonna take advantage of it.”

Chris Thorburn, a healthy scratch the last eight games, slots in on the fourth line tonight. The Jets recalled Brandon Tanev from the Manitoba Moose this morning but he’s not expected to play against Calgary.

The Jets will go with goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who will make his fourth straight start, while Calgary is expected to go with Chad Johnson in net.

jason.bell@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @WFPJasonBell