Game 50: Jets vs Sabres pre-game report

After a road trip that saw the Jets go .400 they return home to play their final three games before the All-Star break. The team welcomed Logan Stanley back into the fold in their last game which necessitated Ville Heinola being reassigned to the Moose. The question which remained unanswered was whether Dylan Samberg was one of the game-time decisions that bench boss Rick Bowness spoke about prior to puck drop in Nashville on Tuesday.

We shall also have to wait and see if David Gustafsson is ready to come off IR which would necessitate another move by Winnipeg. And perhaps there will be an update on Mason Appleton as well.

Skate news:

As per Scott Billeck of the Winnipeg Sun there are no changes to the lineup from last game. He adds that Sam Gagner, Dylan Samberg and Kyle Capobianco are skating as extras while Mason Appleton remains in a non-contact uniform and David Gustafsson is not present.

Health news:

Jets coach Rick Bowness indicated that David Gustafsson is dealing with an upper-body injury and still needs a few days off. Had an MRI yesterday. He wouldn’t rule out Mason Appleton before the All-Star break but is seems more likely after that long break.

Jets projected lines & D pairs:

Ehlers-Scheifele-Wheeler
Connor-Dubois-Perfetti
Barron-Lowry-Kuhlman
Jonsson-Fjallby Stenlund Maenalanen

Morrissey-DeMelo
Dillon-Pionk
Stanley-Schmidt

Hellebuyck
Rittich

Betway Odds:

The Sabres are 5-4-1 in their last ten but have won four straight games as they fight for a wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. With that recent run of success they have been solid on the road boasting a 14-7-1 record away from upstate New York while the Jets counter with a 17-6-0 home record which is likely why they are seen by the oddsmakers as favourites. Be sure to check out the latest game day odds from Betway.

Players media availability:

Coach media availability:

Topics:

1) Status of David Gustafsson and Mason Appleton?
2) Challenges of the game tonight (:44)
3) What has stood out about Nikolaj Ehlers since his return? (1:33)
4) Situation with Bruce Boudreau in Vancouver (2:38)
5) What does he like about what Logan Stanley brings? (3:42)
6) Getting Stanley to use his size properly (4:47)
7) Swapping 27 & 91, how has he liked top six? (5:30)
8) On how Cole Perfetti has adapted (6:47)
9) More on the adaptation of 91 (8:00)
10) What has he seen from Neal Pionk? (8:46)
11) When protecting a lead changing the personel (10:25)

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 interviews from Jets players as well as from head coach Rick Bowness.

You can also join us afterwards for the Illegal Curve Post-Game Show (be sure to smash that like/subscribe button). This season you’ll have a chance to win great schwag including authentic Jets jerseys, hats, etc after every single game (For a variety of ways to enter click here).