There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding the Jets after hockey insider Frank Seravalli indicated on Wednesday that there could be some more positive COVID results amongst the team. We learned this morning that Mark Scheifele has entered NHL’s COVID-19 protocols although Chris Johnston of the Toronto Star/TSN tweeted out this about Scheifele “..after testing positive yesterday morning. He’s asymptomatic and has since tested negative. If he produces another negative test, he’s eligible to come out of protocol and play tonight”. Chris also added it wouldn’t be known until closer to game time.
Recall news:
The Jets recalled Dominic Toninato from the Moose.
Morning skate:
The Jets are obviously missing 2/3 of their top line this morning at skate. Ken Wiebe of Sportsnet has the lines and D pairs below and adds that Connor Hellebuyck went through his pre-game routine and is expected to start.
Health news update:
Chris Johnston just reported that “Mark Scheifele produced another positive COVID-19 test today. He remains in Covid protocol and is out of the #NHLJets lineup.”
Jets projected lines & D pairs:
Stastny-Copp-Ehlers
Connor-Dubois-Svechnikov
Harkins-Lowry-Vesalainen
Toninato-Nash
7 D-men are rotating but would expect the usual pairings:
Morrissey-Schmidt
Dillon-Pionk
Stanley-DeMelo
Beaulieu
Hellebuyck
Comrie
Players media availability:
Coach media availability:
Topics:
1) What is it like to have to wait up until close to puck drop to wait to hear about Mark Scheifele?
2) Do they try to trace how Blake Wheeler got it?
3) Is it nerve wracking while they test players?
4) Can he use this as positive as they focus on the home opener?
5) Working out the wrinkles of special teams.
6) Has he had much contact with Wheeler and Scheifele?
7) How was it getting the team back to full protocols?
8) What factors went in to assigning Cole Perfetti and reason to recalling Dominic Toninato.
9) His level of connection to Mike Stothers.
10) What is his direction to the team about protocols when they are on the road?
Up Next:
Puck drop is at 7 pm CDT. Be sure to head over to illegalcurve.com following the game for a recap of the action which includes post-game interviews from Jets players as well as from head coach Paul Maurice. You can also join us afterwards for our post-game show here (be sure to smash that like/subscribe button).
