Game 33: Jets vs Avalanche pre-game report

The Jets will face their toughest test in the Dave Lowry era tonight in Colorado as they take on the best team in the Western Conference (from a winning percentage perspective).

Morning skate:

As per Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press a few faces are missing from skate. He indicates “No Stastny, Harkins. And no Gustafsson, who we know is injured”. He also said that Dylan DeMelo was missing. Obviously if he can’t go they’ve got Nathan Beaulieu who can play. He lists the amended lines below.

Lineup moves:

Interim head coach Dave Lowry said that Paul Stastny is a game-time decision. He said Jets 2020 1st rounder Cole Perfetti will play tonight. He adds that Dylan DeMelo and Jansen Harkins are in the NHL covid protocol.  Also Nate Schmidt moves back with Josh Morrissey and Nathan Beaulieu will be paired with Logan Stanley.

We also learned after morning skate that taxi squad goalie Arvid Holm was also added to the covid protocol as was video coach Matt Prefontaine. As well following skate the team placed David Gustafsson on IR and activated Cole Perfetti from the taxi squad.

Warm-up skate:

No Paul Stastny according to Mike McIntyre which means CJ Suess will draw back in.

Jets projected lines & D pairs:

Connor-Dubois-Svechnikov
Vesalainen-Scheifele-Ehlers
Copp-Lowry-Reichel
Perfetti-Suess-Toninato

Morrissey-Schmidt
Dillon-Pionk
Stanley-Beaulieu

Hellebuyck
Comrie

Player media availability:

Coach media availability:

Topics:

1) Status of missing players?
2) Lineup question marks (:40)
3) Challenges the Avs create (1:14)
4) Trying to adjust lineup according to opponent (1:50)
5) Is there any worry about anyone else on roster for covid? (2:31)
6) How difficult it can be to play when dealing with heavy emotions (re: Ehlers) (3:02)
7) How does the forecheck change against this Colorado team? (3:52)
8) Plan for Cole Perfetti (4:50)
9) Perfetti’s ability to learn what they’ve been teaching him (5:28)
10) Further lineup clarity (5:56)

Up Next:

Puck drop is at 8 pm CST.  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 interim head coach Dave Lowry.  You can also join us afterwards for the Illegal Curve Post-Game Show here (be sure to smash that like/subscribe button).