Game 61: Jets vs Kings pre-game report

The Jets are mired in a slump that has seen them win just one game in their last five contests and they’ve fallen from the second spot in the Central to the first wild card position. The good news for Winnipeg is they remain just four points back of top spot in the Central.

Given what we learned at practice on Monday it seems highlight unlikely that Mason Appleton (UPI) plays and there is some doubt as to whether Pierre-Luc Dubois (LBI) plays as he left practice early as he deals with something nagging. While David Gustafsson is in a regular uniform he is going to need a few more days of practice before he is ready to go according to Rick Bowness.

It seems likely that the team recalls at least Axel Jonsson-Fjällby who was reassigned to the Moose on Monday as insurance and possibly another forward if either 22 or 80 or both are unable to play tonight. But that would necessitate a roster move since Jets are at 23.

Skate news:

As per Ken Wiebe of Sportsnet no Pierre-Luc Dubois this morning at morning skate nor is Mason Appleton. He did indicate that Connor Hellebuyck is starting.

Wieber added that “Kyle Capobianco and David Gustafsson staying on for extra work, Dylan Samberg and Logan Stanley” which means if Pierre-Luc Dubois cannot play then the Jets could go 11/7. Or they could always add a player to IR which would allow them to make a recall from the Moose.

Lineup news:

If Pierre-Luc Dubois cannot play tonight the Jets will go 11/7. Mason Appleton has been ruled out by head coach Rick Bowness. The Jets don’t have any roster room to make a recall unless they place someone on IR or send someone down.

Warm-up news:

No Pierre-Luc Dubois for the skate ahead of puck drop which means Jets are going 11/7. Positive is that Dubois and Appleton aren’t serious enough to justify putting them on IR (retroactive to Sunday’s game) which would make them unavailable for a week.

Jets projected lines & D pairs:

Connor-Scheifele-Wheeler
Niederreiter-Lowry-Ehlers
Maenalanen-Stenlund-Kuhlman
Barron-Gagner

Morrissey-DeMelo
Dillon-Pionk
Samberg-Schmidt
Stanley

Hellebuyck
Rittich

Player availability:

Coach availability:

Topics:

1) Lineup decisions.
2) Focal points regarding Kings (:54)
3) How to get players not to see this as “too big a moment”? (1:39)
4) How does he feel his team has reacted last 24 hours? (2:13)
5) What he’s seen from Dylan Samberg’s game this year? (2:58)
6) How Nino Niederreiter fits into the team (4:00)

Betway Odds:

The Kings lost their last game to the Rangers 5-2 on Sunday but they are 5-3-2 in their last ten games. They sit 2nd in the Pacific division just two points back of the Golden Knights in 1st which makes this an important two points for the visitors. They’ve been a good road team going 16-11-6 away from California although interestingly they are the only Western Conference playoff team with a negative goal differential (-1). Be sure to check out the latest game day odds from Betway.

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).