Signs point to Tanev’s return to lineup, Roslovic’s scratch tonight in Game 2

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This article was published 12/04/2019 (2340 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Brandon Tanev is expected to return to the Winnipeg lineup tonight, although head coach Paul Maurice didn’t tip his hand by running line rushes this morning and wouldn’t confirm it after the morning skate.

Tanev would join centre Adam Lowry and Par Lindholm on a line, meaning Jack Roslovic would likely be the odd man out in Game 2 of Winnipeg’s best-of-seven, opening-round playoff series against the St. Louis Blues.

Both Tanev and Lindholm told reporters they were scheduled to play.

“Feeling good. It’s the most exciting time of the year, it’s playoff hockey. It’s going to be fun to get back in there and play in front of our home crowd,” said Tanev, who was slashed by Minnesota’s Eric Staal on April 2 in Minnesota and missed the club’s final two regular-season games and Wednesday’s series opener, a 2-1 loss.

“You go out there and you work and you wait for an opportunity to get back in the lineup and do anything you can to help your team win,” he said.

Tanev, who had a couple of fingers taped up in Denver two days after he was slashed, was asked if he’s got high pain tolerance.

“It’s part of the game. You get bumps and bruises along the way and a lot of guys play with those. It’s managing them and getting the opportunity to get back in the lineup when you can,” he said.

The Jets will go with the same defensive corps, and Connor Hellebuyck gets the start in net at Bell MTS Place.

Games 3 and 4 are set for St. Louis on Sunday and Tuesday.

Lindholm, acquired at the trade deadline Feb. 25 from the Toronto Maple Leafs for Nic Petan, was a health scratch for 15 games but played the final four contests of the season, earning an assist. He also played with Lowry and Roslovic on the fourth line Wednesday.

His coach has been impressed with his game.

“Par has been really good for us in the role that we’ve asked him to play.” said Maurice. “Very, very smart, really good with his stick and he’s readable on the ice for the other two people that he plays with. He’s consistent with his game.”

 

jason.bell@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @WFPJasonBell