May be time to shake up some line combos

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 01/04/2018 (2721 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OTTAWA — Odd timing, indeed, but should Paul Maurice be pulling out his trusty line mixer-upper machine?

The Winnipeg Jets just registered one of their most thorough victories of the season Saturday night in Toronto, scoring three times in the second period en route to a 3-1 decision over the Maple Leafs. Physical, defensively tidy and offensively opportunistic, the Jets emerged from a scoreless first period — 10 shots a side — to dictate much of the play through the final 40 minutes.

Trailing 1-0 on an early second-period power-play goal from ageless Patrick Marleau, Winnipeg pulled even and then ahead on goals by a pair of blue-liners, Josh Morrissey and Dustin Byfuglien, at 8:30 and 9:40. Then, hard-checking but light-scoring Andrew Copp, goalless in his last 19 games, chipped in his sixth of the year before the horn sounded to end the middle frame.

Goalie Connor Hellebuyck blocked 10 shots in the third period to solidify the win, as Winnipeg improved to 1-1 on a four-game road swing. The Jets (48-20-10) are assured at least a second-place finish in the Central Division, with a faint hope of chasing down the Nashville Predators (50-17-11).

All in all, a fine bit of redemption on two fronts. Not only did the Jets execute a resolute about-face after Thursday’s 6-2 debacle in Chicago — a win sure to live on in Blackhawks history when the hosts were forced to put their trust in emergency goalie Scott Foster, a 36-year-old accountant, to bring it home — they also dished out some payback to the Leafs for ruining the season-opener in downtown Winnipeg with a 7-2 thumping, albeit six months ago.

Winnipeg has won seven of its past eight games, and is 11-3-1 in its past 15. The Jets face the Ottawa Senators (27-40-11) tonight. Game time is 6:30 p.m. (CDT).

But the squad has been doing its thing lately without a balanced attack.

What’s up with the Paul Stastny-centred second line, featuring flashy youngsters Patrik Laine and Nikolaj Ehlers? While the trio had its best night in two weeks in Toronto — Stastny and Ehlers each had an assist, and Laine had a couple of grade-A scoring chances — they’d been quiet for the previous five.

Laine has gone six games without a goal, his second-longest stretch of the 2017-18 season and is stuck on 43 goals, still just two back of NHL leader Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals. Sizzling Vegas scorer William Karlsson (42), powerful Pittsburgh centre Evgeni Malkin (42) and Edmonton phenom Connor McDavid (41) are all closing fast.

Maurice was asked point-blank by a Finnish reporter following the triumph over the Leafs if the teen’s current slump is a major cause for concern with the post-season just around the bend.

“Not even a tiny bit. That game, (the line) played well. They had chances, they had shots. They supported the puck. They had more pucks to the front of the net in the first 10 minutes than maybe they had in the last three or four (games),” Maurice said. “I don’t worry even a little bit about it.”

As a followup, the gentleman wanted to know what steps the club was taking to bolster Laine’s chance to win the Maurice (Rocket) Richard Trophy as the NHL’s leading goal scorer.

“We didn’t help Patty score the first 43. He’s on his own,” Maurice said.

Let’s assume then, the Stastny trio remains intact. However, the same cannot be said for the third unit.

A dearth of point production from Bryan Little’s line is even more confounding. While the veteran centre has scored in two of Winnipeg’s past four games, left-winger Mathieu Perreault has one measly assist in 19. This is the same guy who had 16 goals and 21 assists in 38 games prior to hitting the skids the third week of February.

On the right side, Joel Armia has a pair of goals and three assists in his last 15, but continues to struggle with his consistency.

Rookie winger Jack Roslovic fired his fourth goal of the year and chipped in his eighth assist in Winnipeg’s 6-2 home-ice win over Chicago on March 15, but has been a healthy scratch since, watching seven straight from the press box.

Maurice hinted the 21-year-old rookie from Columbus will be inserted into the lineup on the trip, possibly as early as tonight against the Senators. The Jets also play Tuesday in Montreal against the Canadiens.

Expect goalie Steve Mason to start one of the next two contests. He’s back with the team after being sidelined for a dozen games with a knee injury.

● ● ●

Mike Babcock sees a lot of similarities between his rip-roaring young Toronto team, led by brilliant centre Auston Matthews, and the high-flying Jets.

During a chat with reporters Saturday morning, the Leafs bench boss had some complimentary things to say about Winnipeg’s deep, skilled roster and the man responsible for constructing it.

“We don’t see them very much. They’re obviously an elite team. They’re fun to watch, they can play fast. They’ve got good depth up front and will have more depth on the back when they get their people back,” Babcock said. “They’ve had a fantastic year to date, and they’re probably as excited to get going at playoff time as we are.

“The guy in Winnipeg that you never hear about, (Kevin Cheveldayoff), the GM, has done an unbelievable job. He was a serial winner in (the minor leagues), and everywhere he went, he’s won. He’s built a good program (in Winnipeg) and, obviously, they have lots of good players.

“We feel we’re going in the right direction, too, and only time’s going to tell for both of us.”

The Leafs and Jets represent the nation’s only hopes this season for the Stanley Cup’s long-awaited return north of the Canada-U.S. border.

The Montreal Canadiens won it a quarter-century ago.

● ● ●

Sami Niku is getting a promotion. The slick-skating Manitoba Moose left-shooting defenceman has been called up by Winnipeg.

Niku, 6-0, 170 pounds, is having a sensational debut season in North America, scoring 15 goals and adding 37 assists in 71 games for the Jets’ AHL affiliate. The product of Haapavesi, Finland, is tied for the American Hockey League lead in points by a defenceman, and tied for second in goals by a blue-liner. The Jets selected him in the seventh round (198th overall) of the 2015 NHL Draft.

There was no media availability as Winnipeg had Easter Sunday off, so any plans to dress the 21-year-old for his first NHL contest will be announced by Maurice today.

jason.bell@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @WFPJasonBell