Game 25: Jets vs Hurricanes pre-game report

The Jets learned on Monday that for the first time this season they wouldn’t have the same top six D men in the lineup as a result of Neal Pionk‘s suspension for two-games. The team did put Riley Nash on waivers so it seems likely that they will recall a defenceman from the Moose who were also off on Monday. My best guess is 2017 3rd rounder Johnny Kovacevic who is a right shot or 2019 1st rounder Ville Heinola.

The question is will the Jets simply toss Nate Beaulieu back into the lineup on his off side or will they give a prospect like Johnny Kovacevic (if he was recalled) a shot? If they put Beaulieu in the lineup then DeMelo likely moves up to be paired with Dillon and Beaulieu would go with Stanley.

Morning skate:

According to Scott Billeck of the Winnipeg Sun goalie Connor Hellebuyck is in the starter’s crease this morning. Ken Wiebe of Sportsnets adds that there are no extra D on the ice which makes it likely that Nate Beaulieu will draw back into the lineup. Colour me incorrect on the speculation of the D pairings as Ken indicates that it is Stanley on his off side with Dillon while Beaulieu is on the left side paired with DeMelo. That is curious as I cannot recall a single instance of Stanley playing on the right side with the Moose.

Health news:

In addition to being suspended Neal Pionk is in concussion protocol according to head coach Paul Maurice. He took a shot to the head from Jason Spezza after his hit on Rasmus Sandin.

Waiver news:

Friedman reported that Riley Nash was claimed off waiver by the Lightning.

Jets projected lines & D pairs:

Connor-Scheifele-Wheeler
Copp-Dubois-Ehlers
Stastny-Lowry-Vesalainen
Harkins-Toninato-Svechnikov

Morrissey-Schmidt
Dillon-Stanley
Beaulieu-DeMelo

Hellebuyck
Comrie

Players media availability:

Coach media availability:

Topics:

1) How did he land on his D pairings?
2) Status of Pionk after the hit? (:54)
3) Who will they bring up from the Moose? (1:04)
4) What did he think of Logan Stanley’s touchdown move last game? (1:43)
5) His yelling at Sheldon Keefe during the game (2:40)
6) More on the D pairings. (3:02)
7) Did he know much about Evgeny Svechnikov’s road to the NHL? (3:41)
8) Getting Svechnikov to take more shots (5:46)
9) The opportunity for Logan Stanley to play more minutes (6:33)
10) More on Stanley’s moves during the game and post-game (7:53)
11) Being able to connect with his players (8:48)
12) His assessment of the Hurricanes (10:11)
13) What he has seen from Rod Brind’Amour’s development as a coach (11:47)

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).