Jets will juggle top two lines against Calgary Flames

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This article was published 25/09/2017 (2909 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Jets will have an intriguing top six as they try to get into the pre-season win column tonight against the Calgary Flames at Bell MTS Centre.

Kyle Connor will play on a line with captain Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele, while Nic Petan will centre a trio including Patrik Laine and Nikolaj Ehlers. For Connor and Petan, it presents a golden opportunity to showcase their skills as they try to crack the opening-day roster.

“I think anyone would want to play in that position. At the same time I don’t think my game changes as far as paying attention to the defensive game. I know I’m playing centre tonight, so the battle is down low and I’m sure those two will be open. So for me, just move the puck quick,” Petan said following Monday’s morning skate.

Steve Mason will get the start in goal for the Jets, who have gone 0-3-1 through their first four pre-season games. There are now just 28 skaters left in camp following Sunday’s cuts and only two more exhibition games left after tonight.

Coach Paul Maurice said he’s looking for a more uptempo game from his group.

“Speed. A little more speed in our game. We’ve spent eight hard days, nine actually when you count the testing. They’ve had a straight run of taxing drills on their legs so we haven’t seen much speed to our game. We’re moving into the speed component here over the next week, maybe a little bit of rust after a day off, but I’d like to see more speed in our game,” said Maurice.

Wheeler said it’s time to “flip the switch” with opening night just over a week away, and he expects plenty of energy from Connor and Petan.

“They’re a couple young skilled players who’ve had a lot of success at university and major junior. Petey’s had some success with us here too. It’s a good opportunity for them to maybe fill a role that they’re more accustomed to playing. We’re going to play hard for them. I think it’s time, we’re in the last week of camp here, to flip the switch and start getting going in the right direction here,” he said.

“I think you’re starting to see the team shape into form a little bit. You want to start ramping it up. Opening night’s not too far away here so we gotta get playing some good hockey.”

Maurice said a handful of players are still dealing with some nagging minor injuries, including Bryan Little, Joel Armia and Tyler Myers. All skated Monday and are considered day-to-day. Meanwhile, all players put on waivers by the Jets Sunday cleared waivers Monday and have now reported to the Manitoba Moose.

Projected lines for tonight:

G:

Mason

Comrie

F:

Connor-Scheifele-Wheeler

Ehlers-Petan-Laine

Perreault-Lowry-Dano

Matthias-Copp-Lipon

D:

Enstrom-Byfuglien

Kulikov-Trouba

Chiarot-Poolman

Scratches:

Hellebuyck, Myers, Morrissey, Kostalek, Little, Hendricks, Armia, Lemieux, Tanev, Roslovic, Spacek