FROM THE PRESS BOX
MIKE SAYS: I’m expecting a bounce-back game from Hellebuyck, who wasn’t at his best against the Predators. Although he’s from Michigan, Boston represents a bit of a homecoming for the reigning Hart and Vezina Trophy winner as he played two seasons with UMass-Lowell after being selected by the Jets in the fifth round, 130th overall, in the 2012 NHL draft.
Although the final result wasn’t what the Jets were hoping for, there was a lot to like about their game against Nashville. The power play, which has been ice cold of late, came up with a big goal. Perhaps that’s a sign it is going to heat up?
Elias Salomonsson had another monster game on the blue line, and the rookie just keeps getting better with each outing. I’m curious to see what Arniel does with his defenceman once Neal Pionk returns from his two-month injury absence, which could happen as early as this weekend against either the Pittsburgh Penguins and/or the New York Rangers.
Salomonsson has made a compelling case to not just stay in the lineup, but to remain in a top-four role.
Adam Lowry looked more like himself as he threw his weight around, dragging his teammates into the fight. The Jets need more of that from their captain,
And Jonathan Toews snapped a 20-game scoring drought by netting the tying goal with one minute left in regulation. Perhaps the 37-year-old is ready to go on a bit of a run, the way he did in mid-January when he lit the lamp in four straight games?
KEN SAYS: It was an excellent outing for Gabe Vilardi on Tuesday, as he set up Josh Morrissey for a goal and scored one of his own, banging home a rebound to give him 26 on the season (which is one shy of his career-best, set in 2024-25).
Vilardi also drew a pair of penalties, which moved him into a tie with Nazem Kadri for ninth in the NHL this season. For context, the league leader is Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid, who has drawn 46, while San Jose Sharks centre Macklin Celebrini is second with 32.
Since he’s only taken nine minors this season, Vilardi is second to McDavid in net penalties (plus-19, compared to plus-31 for McDavid).
What that tells you is that Vilardi plays with discipline, has the puck on his stick frequently and is willing to go to the tough areas. Vilardi, who turns 27 in August, is third in team scoring (56 points in 67 games) and has taken another important step forward in his development.
The Winnipeg Jets’ Gabe Vilardi (Darryl Dyck / The Canadian Press files)
Strathclair product Morgan Geekie is having an outstanding season for the Bruins, leading his team with 34 goals while sitting second to David Pastrnak in points (57 in 67 games). Geekie is in the first year of a six-year deal that carries an AAV of US $5.5 million, which is amazing value for someone chipping in as much as he is and is routinely in a top-6 role.
His 34 goals established a career-high and he’s matched his best season for points, with 14 games left to play. Geekie has scored 12 times on the power play and has five game-winners, while adding 97 hits, 27 blocked shots and 156 shots on goal (which leaves him second behind Pastrnak).
Staying with the Bruins, centre Pavel Zacha — who was someone the Jets kept a close eye on at the NHL trade deadline last March in their search for a second-line centre — has responded by delivering 20-plus goals for the third time in three seasons and fourth time of his career.
Zacha, who has trade protection and has one more season on his contract that carries an AAV of US $4.75 million, currently sits fourth in team scoring with 49 points, which leaves him two behind top-pairing blue-liner Charlie McAvoy.
PROJECTED LINES
WINNIPEG JETS
FORWARDS
- Connor-Scheifele-Iafallo
- Perfetti-Lowry-Vilardi
- Nyquist-Toews-Rosen
- Koepke-Barron-LambertDEFENCE
- Morrissey-DeMelo
- Samberg-Salomonsson
- Fleury-BrysonGOAL
- Hellebuyck
- Comrie
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: D Heinola
INJURED: D Pionk (lower body), D Miller (lower body), LW Niederreiter (lower body), F Namestnikov (lower body)
BOSTON BRUINS
FORWARDS
- Khusnutdinov-Minten-Pastrnak
- Mittelstadt-Zacha-Arvidsson
- Reichel-E Lindholm-Geekie
- Jeannot-Kuraly-Kastelic
DEFENCE
- Aspirot-McAvoy
- H Lindholm-Lohrei
- Zadorov-Peake
GOAL
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: D Harris, D Jokiharju, F Steeves, F Eyssimont
INJURED: None
NOTABLE QUOTABLE
Jets centre Mark Scheifele on the situation facing his club:
“We’re four points out right now. We just have to keep playing like we have, keep trying to get points when we can. Try to get wins, focus on what we can control. When you get looking too far into the future, the waters get murky. You just have to focus on the here and now.”
WHAT WE’RE WORKING ON
Mike is in Boston and has a pair of stories coming. The first is out of a sit-down chat with Mark Scheifele, who said “age is just a number” as he discussed recently turning 33 and setting new career offensive highs. The second will be his game analysis of Jets vs. Bruins. You can find both pieces online at winnipegfreepress.com and in Friday’s print edition.
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