Game 31: Jets vs. Red Wings projected lines

The Jets are turning Bell MTS Place back into a formidable place to earn a win for the opposition as the home side has now gone 6-1-1 in their last eight games.

The Wings languish at the bottom of the NHL standings and are just 3-10-2 away from Detroit and have lost nine straight games.

Four Jets players missed practice yesterday and while coach Maurice indicated all four are expected to play we shall have to wait and see what happens when morning skate gets underway.  For now the projected lines are based on last game.

Pre-Skate News:

The Jets announced that they have assigned Mason Appleton to the Manitoba Moose.  The third year pro has missed 6.5 weeks since he broke a bone in his foot so he will get a chance to play some games.  The Moose left today on a five-game road trip.

AM Skate:

As per Ken Wiebe of the Athletic Winnipeg it was an optional skate but did potentially offer some clarity as according to him ” Gabriel Bourque isn’t staying on late. That could be a sign he’s ready to return to the lineup. Logan Shaw has come off as well, David Gustafsson and Joona Luoto are still on the ice. So fourth line could be Bourque-Shore-Shaw”.

Jets Projected Lines, D pairs and Starting Goalie:

Connor-Scheifele-Laine
Ehlers-Wheeler-Roslovic
Copp-Lowry-Perreault
Bourque-Shore-Shaw

Morrissey-Poolman
Sbisa-Pionk
Bitetto-Beaulieu

Brossoit
Hellebuyck

Audio:

Blake Wheeler

Coach Maurice:  Thought behind sending Mason Appleton to the AHL.  Bourque in?  The new look 4th line.  What led him to believe that Neil Pionk could have this type of impact?  Does he see Nikolaj Ehlers, Kyle Connor and Patrik Laine taking leadership roles?  When he thinks of Eric Comrie what is the first thing that comes to mind?  The value of a guy who wants the puck on his stick when the game is on the line.  Adam Lowry’s evolution.  The Jets playing as a five man unit.  Did he feel guys bought in right away for what the team would need to have success?

All audio courtesy of TSN 1290 Winnipeg.

Wings news:

Former Jets/Moose goalie Eric Comrie will make his first NHL start this season against the club that drafted him.

Up Next:

Puck drop is at 7 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.