Game 43: Jets vs. Canadiens projected lines

The Jets are in Montreal for the second game of this four-game road trip.  This will kick off three straight against Eastern Conference opponents.

The big question coming into today’s game is whether Andrew Copp is feeling well enough to play and whether Sami Niku will be playing in his second NHL game of the season.

AM Skate News:

As per Mitchell Clinton of Jets TV it looks to be an optional today but he does indicate that “Copp is skating (once again in a regular jersey, like yesterday). Wheeler and Sbisa are skating after missing practice yesterday. Kulikov still in non-contact.”

Mike McIntryre of Winnipeg Free Press offers further clarity as to which players are skating “A dozen skaters on the ice. Wheeler, Scheifele, Connor, Copp, Harkins, Appleton, Shore, Shaw, Niku, Dahlstrom, Sbisa, Kulikov. And Brossoit. Everyone else taking a pass.”

Lastly, Ken Wiebe of The Athletic will make many folks happy with news that “Sami Niku is not staying on for extra work so expect him in.”.

Although we will have to wait for Jets bench boss Paul Maurice to speak before we get a sense as to who is in his lineup tonight.

Lineup news:

In:  Sami Niku, Andrew Copp
Out: Carl Dahlstrom, Jansen Harkins.

Jets Projected Lines, D pairs and Starting Goalie:

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

Morrissey-Poolman
Sbisa-Pionk
Bitetto-Niku

Hellebuyck
Brossoit

Audio:

Blake Wheeler

Sami Niku

Coach Maurice:  What does Sami Niku bring to the team?  How does he straddle the line between fearless and reckless?  What goes into choosing a D partner for Niku?  Who will he start with?  On Niku’s misunderstanding with Huddy.  Was that the reason he was in the minors?  Tangible benefits to playing in the AHL.  Pulling Jansen Harkins from the lineup.  What did he learn from the Habs from the first time they played?  What has changed in Patrik Laine’s game from last year to this year?  What has Mason Appleton done on the penalty kill?  With Niku in will the existing D have to do more?  Did he see a freshness upon reunifying the top power play unit?  Has Blake Wheeler become more of a shooter this season?

All audio courtesy of TSN 1290 Winnipeg.

Up Next:

Puck drop is at 6:00 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.