Perreault back in Jets’ lineup; Flyers’ Patrick gets to play before hometown family and friends

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This article was published 16/11/2017 (2856 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Mathieu Perreault returns to the Winnipeg Jets lineup tonight in a fourth-line role after being shelved by an injury for a dozen games.

The quick and skilled but diminutive forward took rushes with centre Matt Hendricks and right-winger Joel Armia this morning, in preparation for tonight’s battle with the visiting Philadelphia Flyers. Game time is 7 p.m.

Meanwhile, Flyers head coach Dave Hakstol confirmed Winnipeg-born centre Nolan Patrick, who missed the last nine games with a suspected concussion, returns to the lineup tonight in front of friends and family at Bell MTS Place.

After skating for more than a week, Perreault said he’s anxious for some genuine NHL action.

“Just play my game, keep it simple early,” he said. “But I’m a guy who likes to make plays so I want to do that, play hard, forecheck hard and just try to get that first (game) out of the way.”

Perreault has been out of the lineup since taking a hard shot to the leg Oct. 14 against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Shawn Matthias won’t play against the Flyers, joining forward Marko Dano and defenceman Ben Chiarot as healthy scratches.

Matthias has just two assists in 17 games this season.

Jets head coach Paul Maurice is sticking with goalie Connor Hellebuyck, meaning Steve Mason won’t face his former teammates.

Mason said while he’s disappointed he’s only started in five of the club’s 17 previous contests, he’s well aware his netminder partner holds a hot hand.

“I’ve got no issues with sitting, with the way Connor’s playing right now,” he said. “He’s playing some of the best hockey I’ve seen a goaltender play in a long time. As long as he’s playing that way, he deserved the net and I understand that.

“I just have to be ready for the opportunities when they do come up. I think I did a good job the last game there (4-1 win in Arizona last Saturday) after sitting for a while. It’s not a fun position to be in, but at the end of the day the team’s in a position where we’re winning lots of hockey games.”

Patrick, selected second overall in last June’s NHL Draft, scored his first-ever NHL goal and had two assists in the first nine games of the season before getting hurt Oct. 24 against Anaheim.

Hakstol said the former Brandon Wheat Kings star is continues to adjust well to life as an NHL pro.

“It’s always a learning experience for any young player. You make the transition to being an everyday player in this league and I’m sure it’s been a learning experience for him. He’s handled thing very well, he’s got very good poise in all different situations and, obviously, being challenged with an injury early on isn’t ideal,” said Hakstol. “But again, it’s another learning experience that a player has to handle, and handle well.”

Hakstol wouldn’t share information on what line Patrick will centre tonight.

But his paticipation should come as welcomed aid for a Philadelphia squad starved for goals. The team was shut out by the Minnesota Wild in its last two contests and hasn’t scored a goal in seven periods.

“(Patrick’s) a smart player with good skill. To be a good offensive players, guys do it differently in this league. But he’s a guy that thinks a play or two ahead, he reads plays very well,” Hakstol said. “And that’s not only on the offensive side, that’s both sides of the puck. He reads plays one or two steps ahead and that’s a real benefit to him.”

jason.bell@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @WFPJasonBell