The Jets are back in Winnipeg after a 2-0 win over the Wild last night in St. Paul to take a 3-1 series lead over their closest geographic rivals. The team was originally slated to practice today but will instead simply hold a media availability with coach Maurice. Perhaps we will get a health update (if you cannot tell I’m being sarcastic) on Enstorm, Myers or Perreault although we are more likely to have to wait to see if they are back skating at the next practice which takes place on Thursday morning.
Supplemental Discipline:
Josh Morrissey has a hearing at 3:30 pm with the Department of Player Safety today for his cross-check to the neck of Eric Staal. Update: He was suspended one game.
Re-assigned:
Sami Niku was sent back to the Moose this morning. Now this could mean the Jets have some healthy players coming back or could simply be that the team wants Niku to practice with Manitoba since Winnipeg has the day off from skating.
Audio:
Coach Maurice: What stands out to him from last night’s game the day after? On his experience that he can share with his team on closing out a series. The importance of scoring first. Time spent playing with a lead. Is he surprised that Josh Morrissey got a hearing and would he be surprised if he was suspended? If Morrissey was suspended, more reliance on the Jets depth defencemen. On the new look of the Jets power play. On whether Niku would be recalled. Is Enstrom skating? Does he expect him to skate tomorrow? The impact of Morrissey and what the lineup could look without him. The Wild without Parise. Does he like having two days between games? Update on Dmitry Kulikov?
Audio courtesy of TSN 1290 Winnipeg.
Health news:
As I suspected the cone of silence is alive and well. The closest we got from the coach when asked if Tobias Enstrom skated today “nobody skated today”. Another D man whose return is unknow is Dmitry Kulikov who chose to not have back surgery towards the end of the season and instead chose an alternative form of rehabbing the injury. The Jets bench boss indicated “I don’t have a timeline for you. But I never did. This isn’t just my playoff shutdown on injuries, that goes back to the regular season. Progressing, day-by-day.”
