The Jets will close out this three-game road trip with a final game tonight in LA LA Land when they take on the Kings after winning the first couple of games on the trip.
The Jets will put their third best road record in the NHL up against a Kings team that, while they are last in the Western Conference, have the 11th best home record in the NHL.
Biggest question marks coming into the game for Winnipeg is the status of Dmitry Kulikov who left in the 1st period of yesterday’s 3-0 win over the Ducks. Coach Maurice also didn’t confirm if he will use Laurent Brossoit or Connor Hellebuyck in net but there is an optional skate/media availability at 1 PM CT.
Morning Skate:
According to Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press just a few skaters took advantage of the optional skate including Patrik Laine, Joona Luoto and Michael Spacek.
Projected Lines, D pairs and Starting Goalie:
Connor-Scheifele-Laine
Ehlers-Wheeler-Roslovic
Copp-Lowry-Perreault
Luoto-Gustafsson-Shaw
Morrissey-Poolman
Sbisa-Pionk
Bitetto-Dahlstrom
Brossoit
Hellebuyck
Audio:
Neal Pionk
Mark Scheifele
Coach Maurice: Lineup? Who starts in net? Reflections on the Jets November. On the play of the forwards defensively. What is the power play doing right? When does he want Pionk to shoot on the power play? How does he explain the analytics vs the results. Will the Jets make a recall? Reflections on the Kings. Trying not to get arrogant over wins. The cost of the emotional intensity. Anything changed with Beaulieu?
All audio courtesy of TSN 1290 Winnipeg.
Health News:
Coach Maurice indicated that Dmitry Kulikov is going to be evaluated in Wpg, Nathan Beaulieu will go to IR, Carl Dahlstrom goes into the lineup and Cam Schilling gets recalled.
For those curious why Sami Niku wasn’t recalled he is dealing with injury he sustained on Wednesday in Milwaukee.
Recall:
Cam Schilling gets the recall with Sami Niku banged up.
Up Next:
Puck drop is at 9 PM CST. Be sure to head over to illegalcurve.com following the game for a recap of the action which includes post-game audio from the Jets room as well as from Coach Maurice.
