Game 2: Jets vs. Leafs pre-game report

Sunday in Winnipeg created more questions than answers at practice as the status of Nikoalj Ehlers (missed practice) and Patrik Laine (left practice early) wasn’t certain following same.  We did learn that Dylan DeMelo wouldn’t make the trip as he remains in Winnipeg with his wife and new baby and that Tucker Poolman would also remain in the ‘Peg on the NHL’s CPRA list. The Jets did recall Logan Stanley from the taxi squad late last night so it is possible the Jets 2016 1st rounder could make his NHL debut.

Morning skate news:

According to Mark Masters of TSN there was a Patrik Laine sighting this morning at the Scotiabank Arena with his teammates for morning skate however Mark also indicated that Laine was only on the ice for a short period of time and then left.  Courtesy of the Jets social media crew we see that Nikolaj Ehlers was on the bench for today’s skate.

Lineup news:

Defenceman Logan Stanley confirms he will make his NHL debut tonight.  Jets coach Paul Maurice confirms that Nikolaj Ehlers will play and Patrik Laine will not due to an upper-body injury and that Jansen Harkins will play as well.

Jets Projected Lines, D Pairs and starting goalie:

Ehlers-Scheifele-Wheeler
Connor-Stastny-Perreault
Copp-Lowry-Appleton
Harkins-Thompson-Lewis

Morrissey-Niku
Forbort-Pionk
Stanley-Beaulieu

Hellebuyck
Brossoit

Leafs Projected Lines, D Pairs and starting goalie:

As per Kristen Shilton from TSN sports here is how Toronto skated this morning.  David Alter of The Hockey News provides an update from Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe indicating that the team will dress seven defencemen and Winnipegger Adam Brooks will only play if Jason Spezza, who is on waivers, gets claimed. (Update: Spezza cleared waivers so he is in and Brooks is out).

Thornton-Matthews-Marner
Nylander-Tavares-Vesey
Mikheyev-Kerfoot-Hyman
Spezza-Simmonds

Rielly-Brodie
Muzzin-Holl
Dermott-Bogosian
Lehtonen

Andersen
Campbell

Player interviews:

Coach interview:

Questions:

1. What does this season feel like?
2. His lineup and Logan Stanley making his debut
3. Patrik Laine and his confidence.
4. Timeline on Patrik Laine.
5. On Logan Stanley fueling himself to get to next level.
6. Configuration of the Jets PP.
7. Would he keep the All-Canadian division beyond this season?
8. On the way Mark Scheifele has come into this season.

Up Next:

Puck drop is at 6:00 pm CT.  Be sure to head over to illegalcurve.com following the game for a recap of the action which includes post-game interviews from the Jets room as well as from coach Maurice.