After Detroit disappointment, Jets prepare for tough stretch

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This article was published 14/12/2019 (2146 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

With a poor outing now in the rear-view mirror, the Winnipeg Jets say they’re focused on flushing it out of their systems and getting back on track. Whether it’s just a one-off or greater cause for concern remains to be seen. 

They certainly looked the part on Saturday, with a crisp, up-tempo practice at Bell MTS Place in stark contrast to the sloppy squad that fell 5-2 on Thursday night in Detroit. All of the attention was on a three-game homestand beginning this afternoon against the Philadelphia Flyers. 

“The other night is a possibility every night. Grinding games for us. I didn’t mind, actually, the legs or the effort. Our hands were way off it. You’re looking at times for the group tell. If it’s one guy, one guy has a tough night. If you think your whole group isn’t right, there’s something amiss,” head coach Paul Maurice said of falling to the NHL’s cellar-dwelling Red Wings. 

“So we needed the rest. We got back to fast today. And I liked, more importantly, they were mentally trying to do what they needed to do, even if they couldn’t execute it. At this time of year, it’s as much mental as it is physical.”

The Jets (19-11-2) will need to be strong in all areas of their game as they get into a tougher portion of their schedule, with six of their next nine games against teams currently occupying a playoff spot. By contrast, Winnipeg just wrapped up a nine-game stretch which involved only two tilts against teams above the line, going 6-2-1 in that span. 

“It won’t get any easier, that’s for sure. We’re playing some really good teams. Philly’s coming in, they’ve been playing really well, so this is going to be a great challenge. We’ll take it one game at a time, but we’re going to have to stay really sharp because we’ve got some big games coming up,” veteran forward Mathieu Perreault said. 

“Just looking at the standings, they’re sitting up there, so you know they find a way to win games. They must be playing good hockey.”

Philadelphia (17-9-5) will be playing on back-to-back days after a Saturday evening match against the Minnesota Wild. They took a 7-2-1 run into St. Paul, riding a combination of excellent goaltending, strong special teams and plenty of offence from both the forwards and a talented blue-line.

“Speed to their game now. A bit of maturation in their net. They’re getting better goaltending. Their back end is as active in the offensive zone now as anybody’s. They have a dynamic back end, and then a really skilled and mature forward group, they can make plays. The overall package is, I think, Philadelphia plays a much faster game than they were in years past,” Maurice said.

It was all hands on deck for Saturday’s skate, save for captain Blake Wheeler, who took a maintenance day.

No other lineup changes are expected, with Connor Hellebuyck in goal and Carl Dahlstrom and Joona Luoto as the two healthy scratches.

Perreault said it will be important for the rested Jets to try to get a jump on the visitors. The 22 hours between puck drops for the Flyers (6 p.m. Saturday, 4 p.m. Sunday) represents the minimum rest required under the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement. 

“Over the years, I don’t really think that changes a whole lot. Everybody’s in good shape in this league, so we’re expecting them to come out and be really good,” Perreault said.

His line, with Adam Lowry and Andrew Copp, will likely have plenty to say about that. When on top of their game, they can tilt the ice in Winnipeg’s favour and wear down the opponent.

“That’s what we’re trying to do — stay hard on the forecheck, good sticks on their defencemen, finishing checks so we make their D rim pucks instead of making plays. That’s usually when we can get that puck back,” Perreault said. “I think we’ve been able to provide some offence as well, so that’s always nice. If not, we always have that good strong defensive, physical game.”

The Jets have gone winless in their past three road games (0-2-1), but have four straight victories on home ice. They’ll look to continue that hot streak against the Flyers, followed by visits on Tuesday from Carolina and Thursday from Chicago. 

“It feels good to be home. Nice to be back in front of our crowd. It’ll be a good time of the year,” said forward Gabriel Bourque, who added the mentality with his group is to quickly “turn the page” on the dud in Detroit.

“The guys want to win every game. Every time we lose, we’re frustrated a bit, but just work towards the next game,” he said. 

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @mikemcintyrewpg