Jets back in action after unscheduled break in New York

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/03/2017 (3162 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

NEW YORK — The Winnipeg Jets will play a hockey game Thursday night in the New York area.

And that, in itself, is news after a weird week that saw the team’s first attempt to do that very thing — Tuesday night in New Jersey — postponed to March 28 by a blizzard that rocked the region.

Thursday’s opponents are former captain Andrew Ladd’s New York Islanders at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center (6 p.m., TSN3, TSN 1290).

“Feels like we’ve been on the road for a week-and-a-half and haven’t played a game in a month,” Jets head coach Paul Maurice said Thursday morning following his team’s morning skate.

“But it’s only been two days. This will be a physical contest tonight — they’re a team that finishes a lot of hits. So that will get you back into the game quick.”

The Jets arrived in New York early Tuesday morning, flying in immediately after a 5-4 overtime loss in Nashville Monday night just ahead of worst period of the storm.

They’ve been here since, enjoying a snow day Tuesday and then holding a previously unscheduled practice Wednesday in New Jersey.

But it’s back to work — and reality — as they resume their previously scheduled programming. And that reality is a harsh one; the Jets are riding a four-game losing streak and their playoff hopes are riding on vapours heading into a game against an Islanders squad that is playing much better lately, currently holding down the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Jets trail the St. Louis Blues by 10 points for the final wild card spot in the Western Conference heading into the game, and the Blues also hold a game in hand.

Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck will make his 15th consecutive start in net for the Jets, who will be without injured defenceman Jacob Trouba and forward Shawn Matthias.

Centre Mark Scheifele, who was under the weather and missed Wednesday’s practice, is expected to play.

Forward Nic Petan, meanwhile, will draw back into the lineup after sitting in Nashville in favour of veteran Chris Thorburn.

Petan has struggled to stay in the lineup lately and Maurice said that he needs him to play a better all-around game.

Petan, in his second season in the NHL, admitted Thursday morning that it’s been a struggle learning what it takes to be an NHL centre.

“It’s had it’s ups and downs this year,” he said. “It’s been tough position-wise this year. But I think learning to play every role is a big part of the game. And I think I’ve learned a lot in the centre position this year.”

email: paul.wiecek@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @PaulWiecek