Game 58: Jets vs. Avalanche pre-game report

The Jets are fresh off a massive 4-3 overtime win over the Capitals on Tuesday night.  They had a busy practice on Thursday which followed the Skills Competition held Wednesday night which seemed to loosen up the team.

Colorado is coming off a 2-0 win over the Habs in Denver on Wednesday night.  The Jets caught a break as Avs leading scorer Nathan MacKinnon, who is close to returning to the lineup, will miss his eighth straight game as he gets healthy after dealing with a shoulder injury.  As good as Colorado has been at home (20-7-1) they are 11-14-3 away from the Pepsi Center.

The projected lines listed below are based on yesterday’s practice at Bell MTS Place.

Morning skate notes:

Only two players missing from today’s skate are Dustin Byfuglien and Connor Hellebuyck according to Jaime Thomas of Jets TV.

Projected Jets lines, D pairs and goalies:

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

Morrissey – Myers
Enstrom – Byfuglien
Chariot – Kulikov

Hellebuyck
Comrie

Extras: Poolman & Dano

Audio:

Blake Wheeler

Mathieu Perreault

Andrew Copp

Coach Maurice:  Biggest differences he is noticing in the Avalanche.  Does he have to guard against a letdown after an emotional win like Tuesday night?  On the upcoming trade deadline.  On Perreault’s versatility.  On the things that the young players can learn from Perreault.  Does he feel there is enough experience in the room to handle the stretch drive?  What is he hoping to see from Ehlers/Laine with Copp?  On overall Jets defensive game.  What is key for Copp?

Audio courtesy of TSN 1290 Winnipeg.