Game 38: Jets vs. Blues projected lines

The Jets have enjoyed a few days off to flush the memory of Monday night’s 6-2 defeat at the hands of the Montreal Canadiens and they will have their focus straight above them as they welcome the defending Stanley Cup champion St.Louis Blues to town this evening.  Above because the Blues currently sit 10 points up on Winnipeg with the benefit of having played just one more game.

St. Louis has been as excellent on the road as they have been at home sporting an identical 12-4-3 record when wearing the dark or light uniforms this season. St. Louis has won six straight games coming into tonight’s action.

Might the Jets lineup get a boost from Mathieu Perreault who was judged to be getting close to a return by his coach last weekend?  We shall wait and see what morning skate brings.  For now the projected lines are simply based on the last game versus Montreal.

AM Skate:

No Mathieu Perreault this morning according to Scott Billeck of the Winnipeg Sun.  Lines and D pairs remain the same as last game according to Scott.

Jets Projected Lines, D pairs:

Connor-Scheifele-Laine
Ehlers-Wheeler-Roslovic
Bourque-Lowry-Appleton
Harkins-Shore-Shaw

Morrissey-Poolman
Sbisa-Pionk
Bitetto-Beaulieu

Hellebuyck
Brossoit

Audio:

Neal Pionk

Nikolaj Ehlers

Coach Maurice:  Update on Perreault/Little.  Is surgery on the table for Bryan Little?  Game following the break sans practice.  Do the Blues help his group focus?  What does he look at in the next two weeks.  The high level of competition.  What it could mean for the season?  On guys not knowing what is ahead of them.  What strides have the second line taken?

All audio courtesy of TSN 1290 Winnipeg.

Health Update:

Bryan Little and Mathieu Perreault are both back skating.  Little intermittently while Perreault will get in full contact tomorrow at practice.  Jets coach Paul Maurice did say that while surgery was initially an option for Little they are allowing the healing to take place naturally.  You can read his full comments here.

Up Next:

Puck drop is at 7:00 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.