FROM THE PRESS BOX
MIKE SAYS: Greetings from Hockeytown, where it’s always a treat to cover a game. It never gets old at Little Caesars Arena, where you are instantly reminded of the past. It truly is like a museum.
A stroll around the massive concourse reveals numerous statues and portraits of former Red Wings stars and serves as a reminder of just how accomplished this franchise is.
Then you go inside the Detroit dressing room — the best in the NHL, bar none — and really take a trip down memory lane. Above the stall of every current player is a framed picture of an ex-Red Wings skater, and it’s a real who’s who of some of the biggest names in the sport.
The pièce de resistance is five empty stalls set aside for the true greats, complete with nameplates and equipment as if they are truly still there. Andrew Copp, for example, sits right beside Ted Lindsay. Or at least a shrine to Ted Lindsay. In between goaltenders Alex Lyon and Cam Talbot is Terry Sawchuk. How cool is that? Nik Lidstrom, Syd Abel and Gordie Howe are the others. That has to be both inspiring and, perhaps, a wee bit intimidating for players.
Last, but not least — they have the good sense to put the logo on the ceiling, not on the floor. As Copp told me during a catch-up chat this morning, that prevents both players and us media types from accidentally stepping on it, which is a major no-no in the wacky world of pro sports. I wish more teams would follow suit.
Copp, by the way, still holds the Jets (and Winnipeg) near and dear to his heart. He went out for dinner last night with about seven former Winnipeg teammates who he will now be trying to keep in check when they hit the ice tonight.
Enjoy the game — and I’ll be sure to watch out for a flying octopus or two (speaking of traditions) as I sit in my press box perch.
KEN SAYS: Rough outings are going to happen over the course of an 82-game schedule, that’s the nature of the beast in the NHL. It’s how you respond to those tough nights that can define a season for both a team and individual players.
The Jets are obviously looking for a collective response after getting “punched in the nose” by the Maple Leafs in the first two periods, as Arniel described it in his post-game address.
While the Jets have shown plenty of resolve after allowing the first goal in seven of nine games, it would behoove them to spend less time chasing the game.
The Jets have been outscored 19-17 at five-on-five and that’s another area they’ll be looking to improve.
Connor is off to a tremendous start, entering action tied for third in the NHL in goals (eight in nine games) and tied for eighth in points (14). He was involved in all four the Jets scored while mounting a rally against the Maple Leafs, scoring twice on the power play while collecting an assist on both six-on-five goals that were scored with the net empty in favour of an extra attacker. Connor, who has four goals with the man-advantage, three at even-strength and one shorthanded marker this season, has seven goals and 13 points in 12 career NHL games in his home state.
The Red Wings inked top defenceman Moritz Seider and winger Lucas Raymond to long-term extensions this summer and the hope was that this would be the year the team breaks through and becomes a playoff team under Derek Lalonde. The early returns have been mixed for the team, though Raymond (eight points in nine games) and Seider (five points in nine games) have been doing their part. Seider is a force on the back end, bringing a physical element to the skilled game that he plays.
Patrick Kane is closing in on his 36th birthday but the Jets must ensure they pay attention when he’s on the ice, as he’s up to seven points in nine games and he’s racked up 18 goals (13 at even strength and five on the power play) and 50 points in 45 career games against Winnipeg, with much of that damage being inflicted during his time with the Chicago Blackhawks.
PROJECTED LINES
WINNIPEG JETS
FORWARDS:
- Connor-Scheifele-Vilardi
- Perfetti-Namestnikov-Ehlers
- Niederreiter-Lowry-Appleton
- Barron-Kupari-Iafallo
DEFENCE:
- Morrissey-DeMeloSamberg-Pionk
- Stanley-Miller
GOAL:
- HEALTHY SCRATCHES: D Coghlan, D Fleury, F Gustafsson
- INJURED: D Heinola (ankle), F Anderson-Dolan (foot)
DETROIT RED WINGS
FORWARDS:
- DeBrincat-Larkin-Raymond
- Copp-Compher-Kane
- Tarasenko (game-time decision)-Kasper-Berggren
- Rasmussen-Veleno-Fischer
DEFENCE:
- Edvinsson-Seider
- Chiarot-Petry
- Johansson-Holl
GOAL:
- HEALTHY SCRATCHES: D Gustafsson
- INJURED: F Motte (upper-body), G Campbell (player assistance program)
NOTABLE QUOTABLE
Jets coach Scott Arniel on what he’s expecting to see from his group tonight following a loss:
“I think we know how we act in the last couple of years. It’s a new year but at the same time, we’ve got good leaders. They know they weren’t very good. We just have to make sure we get back to playing how we have to play. That’s our mindset when we don’t have the puck. That’s our compete. That’s us getting in and getting our nose in there, winning more one-on-one battles.”
WHAT WE’RE WORKING ON
Mike is on scene in Michigan and will have a pair of stories coming today. The first looks at Kyle Connor, who is playing in his home state tonight and on the cusp of hitting a major milestone in his career. Mike spoke with the Jets winger, along with his former college teammate, J.T. Compher, who will be lining up against him tonight for the Red Wings. And he will have the usual game analysis out of Jets versus Wings. You can find both pieces online at winnipegfreepress.com and in Thursday’s print edition.
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