The Jets have lost two straight games and four of their last five as they get set to face the Carolina Hurricanes tonight in Raleigh to conclude the season series. About a month ago the Hurricanes came into Winnipeg and doubled up the Jets by a score of 6-3. The Hurricanes currently find themselves in the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference and while they have gone 5-4-1 in their last 10, they are an impressive 16-8-1 at PNC Arena.
We know based on yesterday’s practice that Andrew Copp said he’d be lining up with Mathieu Perreault and Mason Appleton and it seems reasonable to expect Jansen Harkins jump back on the 4th line. 2017 1st rounder Kristian Vesalainen was recalled on Monday from the Moose but is not expected to play.
Lineup News:
Coach Maurice confirms he will revert back to Mark Scheifele back on the top line with Blake Wheeler on the 2nd line.
Goaltending Plan:
Coach also confirms that Connor Hellebuyck starts tonight, Laurent Brossoit will play tomorrow night in Columbus.
Projected Lines and D pairs:
Connor-Scheifele-Laine
Ehlers-Wheeler-Roslovic
Perreault-Copp-Appleton
Bourque-Shore-Harkins
Morrissey-Kulikov
Niku-Pionk
Bitetto-Sbisa
Hellebuyck
Brossoit.
Audio:
Kristian Vesalainen spoke about his excitement at being recalled, what he has been doing with the Moose, how he has adjusted to the smaller ice surface and more.
Nikolaj Ehlers on trying to get the Jets back on track, on the team staying positive, the challenge presented by the Hurricanes, what’s the difference playing with 55 or 26 as his centre, keeping confidence at a high level, Carolina active stick and more.
Coach Maurice: Reason for recalling Kristian Vesalainen. Will he play? Goaltending plan? The difference in the Hurricanes game from what they are used to seeing in the West. Team maintaining positivity. Will the Wheeler and Scheifele flip stay? Will Harkins play in the middle?
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.
