FROM THE PRESS BOX
MIKE SAYS: Pointing at Winnipeg’s attendance has become a bit of low-hanging fruit in the hockey world, and I continue to see plenty of eyebrow-raising and even finger-pointing surrounding the issue.
“How can the NHL’s best team not be selling out every game?” some wonder. “Time to re-locate them to Atlanta,” others joke.
Here’s the thing: The Jets have made significant strides already this season in that department, even if it’s not going to generate the same kind of buzz that some empty seats will.
Exhibit A: The first four home games last season averaged just 11,823 fans. This season, the first four home games this year averaged 13,665 — so an increase of more than 1,800 per game. I expect that number will go up tonight, with a capacity crowd (or likely close to) taking in the action. Sure, a good chunk of them will be cheering for the visitors, but it all counts in the end. (Game 5 last year drew just 11,898, despite the fact it was the highly-anticipated return of long-time Jets captain Blake Wheeler and his New York Rangers).
The Jets are trying to get back into the 13,000 range when it comes to season tickets, after dipping to a low of 9,500 last year, and there’s still a ton of work to be done in that regard. But the early returns this year – no doubt helped by the squad’s sizzling start – are encouraging.
Now, as for the action on the ice, I’m wondering if the Jets can buck the recent trend and score first. It’s rather remarkable that they are 8-0-0 despite giving up the opening goal in six of eight contests so far.
It shows how comfortable this team is in its own skin despite an early deficit, not straying from its structure and systems. But, as coach Scott Arniel told me this morning, it’s not something he wants his club to get TOO comfortable with.“At the end of the day I’m more worried about what’s happened at the end of the game. Don’t like to get down, but the opposition has a lot to say about that sometimes,” he said.
“I just like the way we stay in games, we compete and come back. Hopefully that stat will flip and go the other way – just us scoring first. It just shows our willingness to stay in games and do whatever it takes.”
KEN SAYS: The balance the Jets have shown in the early going has been impressive to witness. The defensive commitment and special teams improvements have been obvious, but the spread out scoring has been critical.
The Jets have four different players tied for the scoring lead with 10 points (Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele, Nikolaj Ehlers and Neal Pionk) while four others are also chipping in at a point-per-game clip (Cole Perfetti, Josh Morrissey, Nino Niederretier, Mason Appleton) and two others (Adam Lowry with seven points and Vladislav Namestnikov with six points) are just behind that pace.
Scheifele scored his first career goal against the Maple Leafs as an 18-year-old, before he was returned to the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League. He’s enjoyed considerable success against the marquee team from his home province in his career, producing 15 goals and 35 points in 28 games against the Maple Leafs.
For Toronto, it will be interesting to see what type of adjustments the team is making under Craig Berube, who is quite familiar around these parts from his time leading the St. Louis Blues.
He is reuniting William Nylander and John Tavares in an effort to try and get a bit more offensive flow on that second line with Max Pacioretty. Nylander is tied for second on the team behind Mitch Marner in points with seven, but he’s been held off the scoresheet in three consecutive games.
Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews had a goal and an assist against the Bruins, but he also turned the puck over on the overtime winner for David Pastrnak on Saturday.
Matthews has made a habit of producing against the Jets over the course of his career, scoring 14 goals while racking up 31 points in 23 games.
As Mike mentioned, it’s usually an electric atmosphere when the Maple Leafs make their lone visit to Winnipeg during the regular season, so this should be a highly entertaining tilt.
PROJECTED LINES
WINNIPEG JETS
FORWARDS:
- Connor-Scheifele-Vilardi
- Perfetti-Namestnikov-Ehlers
- Niederreiter-Lowry-Appleton
- Barron-Kupari-Iafallo
DEFENCE:
- Morrissey-DeMelo
- Samberg-Pionk
- Stanley-Miller
GOAL:
- Hellebuyck
- Comrie
- HEALTHY SCRATCHES: D Coghlan, D Fleury, F Gustafsson
- INJURED: D Heinola (ankle), F Anderson-Dolan (foot)
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
FORWARDS:
- Knies-Matthews-Marner
- Pacioretty-Tavares-Nylander
- McMann-Domi-Holmberg
- Lorentz-Kampf-Reaves
DEFENCE:
- Rielly- Ekman-Larsson
- McCabe-Tanev
- Benoit-Timmins
GOAL:
- HEALTHY SCRATCHES: F Robertson, D Liljegren, D Myers
- INJURED: F Dewar (shoulder), F Jarnkrok (lower body), F Minten (ankle), D Mermis (jaw), D Hakanpaa (knee)
NOTABLE QUOTABLE
Jets defenceman Dylan DeMelo on the keys to success against the Maple Leafs:“We’ve just got to play our game. At the end of the day, we’re confident in our game.
“The last few times we’ve played these guys, we got away from it and got into a bit of a track meet and we know that’s not our game. We know they have a bit of a different philosophy now with (Craig) Berube there — and trying to play a different way.
“But at the end of the day, it’s all about us and how we play. Obviously, we’ve got a good thing going right now, so just keep it going.”
WHAT WE’RE WORKING ON
Mike and Ken will have double coverage from downtown tonight, offering up both game analysis and a sidebar. You can find both pieces online tonight at winnipegfreepress.com and in Tuesday’s print edition.
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