Game 57: Jets vs. Capitals pre-game report

The Capitals come into the game at the top of the Metropolitan Division with a four point lead on the Penguins holding two games in hand.  They’ve gone 4-3-3 in their last ten contests.  The Jets will have to hope the old Southleast rivalry can get them motivated because they need to turn things around after dropping their past two games in regulation.

Morning skate notes:

According to Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun it looks like Brendan Lemieux has recovered from the ailment that was bothering him as he has rejoined the Jets in a regular practice uniform.  Ken also indicated that the Jets didn’t have line rushes so the projected lines below are based on the previous game although he did say that Connor Hellebuyck gets the start.   Coach Maurice confirming following skate that he will be using the same lineup as last game.

Jets lines, D pairs and goalies:

Perreault-Scheifele-Wheeler
Laine-Little-Ehlers
Connor-Copp-Armia
Petan-Hendricks-Roslovic

Morrissey-Myers
Enstrom-Byfuglien
Chiarot-Kulikov

Hellebuyck
Comrie

Extra: Poolman, Dano and Lemieux.
Injuries: Tanev (IR), Trouba (IR), Hutchinson, Mason (IR), Lowry (IR) and Matthias (IR).

Health Updates:

Quite a laundry list of players.  Began with an update on Brendan Lemieux who skated with the group today and coach Maurice said “Brendan skated today. We’re hoping he gets the green light today.  We’ll see how he comes off the ice.”  Brandon Tanev, Shawn Matthias and Michael Hutchinson all skated today according to coach and he provided an update on them as well as Adam Lowry and Steve Mason.  “I would think Hutchinson and Tanev are the leads guys to be back first, Matthias would be then next, Lowry is still not on the ice and Mason is still alternate days.”

Audio:

Blake Wheeler

Matt Hendricks

Coach Maurice:  Same lineup?  Tightness of games at this point in the season.  Thoughts on top line.  Health updates.  Thoughts on Alex Ovechkin this season?  Does he see similarities between Laine and Ovechkin?  Thoughts on Jets D pairs since Trouba went down.  On Blake Wheeler’s goal scoring drought.

Audio courtesy of TSN 1290 Winnipeg.