FROM THE PRESS BOX
MIKE SAYS: It was a rare rough game from Winnipeg’s No. 1 line against the Devils, which makes it all the more impressive that they managed to find a way to win. Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor and Alex Iafallo couldn’t generate much of anything, but some much-needed secondary scoring helped pave the way.
I’d expect that top trio to be a lot sharper tonight.
Winnipeg’s fourth line found the scoresheet for a third consecutive game, and it seems like Arniel has found a nice mix with veteran Tanner Pearson (two goals, one assist in the last three), energy winger Cole Koepke (one goal, two assists in the last three) and rookie Danny Zhilkin, who has provided plenty of energy and excitement for a group that was in dire need of some. It sure says something that Nyquist continues to be a healthy scratch while Zhilkin gets an extended look with the big club.
“Consistency in the sense of not playing in our end of the rink. They’re forcing whoever they’re out against to play in their end,” Arniel said of that line. “I think all three of them are using their size, they’re getting to the net, they’re being real simple in terms of how they look.”
Hellebuyck just hasn’t looked like his same dominant self in recent games. The numbers reflect it, too: 15 goals against (3.75 GAA) and just a .870 save percentage in his last four outings. In fact, since his return from injury in mid-December, Hellebuyck has given up at least three goals in eight of his 12 starts. He’s been beaten 35 times in that span (2.92 per game) and posted a .884 save percentage. Those are very un-Hellebuyck-like numbers. Sure, the play in front of him has a lot to do with it, but Hellebuyck would likely be the first to admit he can be a lot better, too.
Personally, I would have liked to see Elias Salomonsson or even the red-hot Ville Heinola (12 points in his last 12 AHL games) summoned from the Manitoba Moose to take the spot of the injured Miller on the blue-line. But I’m not surprised Schenn gets the chance to draw back in. There are rumblings he could eventually be moved in a trade to a contender, and I think it would be wise for the Jets for two reasons: First, to try and recoup a bit of the steep price they paid for him last year (a second and a fourth round pick), and second, to open up opportunities for some of these younger players down the stretch.
KEN SAYS: Cole Perfetti is finally starting to resemble the player the Jets were expecting to take a step forward this season. The crafty winger has four assists during the past two games and is playing with the confidence he displayed frequently as he racked up a career-high 50 points last season.
With a goal and six points during the past six games, Perfetti looks like a guy finding his groove and he’s building chemistry on a reconfigured second line with Jonathan Toews and Gabe Vilardi. Vilardi is having another fantastic season, sitting third on the team in goals (18) and points (40) and he’s on pace for career-highs in both categories. Toews has been on a roll offensively as well, with goals in consecutive games and six points in nine games coming out of the holiday break.
Winnipeg Jets’ Cole Perfetti (91) celebrates his goal against the Vegas Golden Knights with Jonathan Toews (19) during the Jan. 6 game. (Fred Greenslade / The Canadian Press files)
Arniel figured that the hockey intelligence of Toews and Perfetti would fit well together and while chemistry wasn’t immediate, this latest go-around has yielded some solid results. Having consistent production from the second line is imperative for the Jets during the second half of the season, as they’ve got plenty of work to do in order to try to get back into the playoff chase in the Western Conference.
For the Islanders, it was a treat having the opportunity to see 2025 first overall pick Matthew Schaefer against the Jets back in October, as he didn’t disappoint. As the season has gone on, Schaefer’s responsibilities have grown and he’s being used in all situations. His skating is exceptional and he plays the game with so much joy. What he’s been able to do as a rookie is remarkable and it’s why he’s in the running for the Calder Trophy.
Another player to watch in this meeting is rookie centre Calum Ritchie, who was the centrepiece of the trade with the Colorado Avalanche for Brock Nelson — whom the Jets were very interested in at the trade deadline last season.
Ritchie, a skilled centre, missed the first meeting between the two clubs this season, but the 27th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft has seven goals and 11 points in 34 games with the Islanders.
PROJECTED LINES
WINNIPEG JETS
FORWARDS:
- Connor-Scheifele-Iafallo
- Perfetti-Toews-Vilardi
- Niederreiter-Lowry-Namestnikov
- Koepke-Zhilkin-Pearson
DEFENCE:
- Morrissey-DeMelo
- Samberg-Pionk
- Stanley-Schenn
GOAL:
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: F Nyquist, D Phillips
INJURED: D Fleury (nose, back), D Miller (lower-body), F Barron (upper-body)
NEW YORK ISLANDERS
FORWARDS:
- Lee-Barzal-Duclair
- Drouin-Ritchie-Heineman
- Shabanov-Pageau-Homstrom
- MacLean-Cizikas-Gatcomb
DEFENCE:
- Schaefer-Pulock
- Pelech-DeAngelo
- Boqvist-Mayfield
GOAL:
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: D McWard, F Tsyplakov
INJURED: G Varlamov (knee), D Romanov (shoulder), C Horvat (lower body), RW Palmieri (knee), LW Engvall (ankle)
NOTABLE QUOTABLE
Jets coach Scott Arniel on dynamic rookie defenceman Matthew Schaefer:
“I wasn’t sure how he started, when he got going right off the bat — sometimes it might be the first 10, 15, 20 games, maybe it was just the spark was there, the flash was there and then teams (catch) on to him. But that hasn’t stopped. That’s why he’s the real deal.
New York Islanders’ Matthew Schaefer (Frank Franklin II / The Associated Press files)
“He’s still doing it. He’s lugging big ice, he’s playing against the other team’s top lines. He’s playing against heavy players. Teams are trying to (get him) off his game by being physical against him, and nothing seems to faze him. His ability to get in the rush, a lot like (Cale) Makar when he came in. Both leading rushes and beating people back up the ice, you’re kind of seeing that with this kid. We certainly have to know where he is at all times.”
WHAT WE’RE WORKING ON
Ken has an early story on former Jets coach Rick Bowness, who has come out of retirement to take over bench boss duties with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Several Jets players and current head honcho Scott Arniel weighed in on “Bones” today.
Mike will handle the game analysis of Jets vs. Islanders.
You can find both pieces in Wednesday’s paper and online.
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