Game 4: Jets vs. Senators pre-game report

The Jets held a very optional practice on Wednesday afternoon in Ottawa.  While most players didn’t skate all eyes were on Patrik Laine who took to the ice briefly although his coach listed him as doubtful for tonight’s re-match with the Senators.

Morning skate news:

As per Brent Wallace of TSN no Patrik Laine on the ice this morning for Winnipeg.

The Jets also announced that they have recalled Kristian Vesalainen and Ville Heinola from the taxi squad.

Ville Heinola is speaking after skate which makes seem likely that he could be playing tonight.  We shall have to see if we get any info from Ottawa during skate or if we have to wait for an update from head coach Paul Maurice.

Roster news:

Ville Heinola confirmed he is in and paired with Josh Morrissey. Coach Maurice confirmed Patrik Laine will not play again tonight (third game in a row) and that the lines will start tonight’s game the way they ended the last game, which is reflected below).

Jets Projected Lines, D Pairs:

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

Morrissey-Heinola
Forbort-Pionk
Stanley-Beaulieu

Hellebuyck
Brossoit

Players availability:

Coach availability:

Topics:

1. Putting Heinola in tonight.
2. What is biggest difference he has noticed from last season?
3. Compare and contrast Niku and Heinola.
4. Not being able to use the 4th line as much due to score.
5. What does Heinola have to do to have a good start.
6. Roster decisions?
7. Is Kristian Vesalainen in the lineup?
8. What is the reason for Niku coming out of the lineup?

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.