No busted bones, but Laine a question mark

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This article was published 28/02/2020 (2019 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The state of Patrik Laine’s left foot is a major concern, but the Winnipeg Jets insist they’ll keep rolling with the punches — not to mention the painful shot blocks, bodychecks and freakish pre-game warm-up ailments that have sidelined numerous players this season. 

Laine’s status for tonight’s game in Edmonton and beyond remains a question mark, although the good news is nothing is broken. The Finnish sniper, who has 26 goals and 33 assists this season, left Thursday’s game against the Washington Capitals after taking Michal Kempny’s shot off his skate on his opening shift.

Jets head coach Paul Maurice didn’t hold a media availability on Friday following his team’s optional skate before they boarded the charter and flew to the Alberta capital. A further update should come following this morning’s skate. 

Logan Shaw was the lone healthy scratch at forward for the 3-0 victory over the Capitals and would likely draw back into the lineup if Laine can’t go. The Jets have also recalled C.J. Suess from the Manitoba Moose for insurance. The 25-year-old made his NHL debut earlier this season, and has 13 goals and 13 assists with the AHL club. 

Veteran defenceman Anthony Bitetto said Friday the incredible run of injuries this year has brought the entire group closer together.

“I think we’ve gone through a lot. We’ve had some pretty key guys go down for some time. So for the fact we’re in where we are right now is really good. We have to be proud of it, but we can’t be satisfied. We have to keep fighting for more, and stay in the fight, stay hunting,” he said. 

In addition to Laine, Winnipeg is also without forwards Bryan Little, Adam Lowry, Mathieu Perreault and Mark Letestu, and defencemen Josh Morrissey, Sami Niku, Luca Sbisa and Carl Dahlstrom. 

Of that group, Morrissey is believed to be the closest to returning, while Lowry and Dahlstrom could be right behind him. Perreault skated Friday in a non-contact jersey, but is still listed as week-to-week. Niku and Sbisa are longer-term, while Little and Letestu are done for the year.

Jets captain Blake Wheeler said taking three of four points in back-to-back games against Washington this week should give the Jets plenty of confidence for the remaining five weeks of the regular-season, in which they’ll have several multi-day breaks built in to rest and recoup. And, in the case of many players, lick their wounds. 

“You play every other day and that wears on you. I think you’re almost crawling to the finish line. I think we’ve had that exhaustive stretch already this year. We’ve played a few more games than the teams that we’re in competition with for the playoffs. Sometimes those back-to-backs or those three-in-four can catch up to you,” said Wheeler.

“We’re going to have an opportunity to really go pour everything into every single game here in March. Pretty similar to what we’ve been doing all year long, but there won’t be any nights that we’re dragging or don’t have the energy. We’re going to get a full-on effort for the 16 games we have left. We’ll see if it’s good enough.”

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @mikemcintyrewpg