Game 68: Jets vs. Capitals pre-game report

The Jets wrap up this four-game road trip against a tough Capitals team that has won six straight as they look to round into form as they defend their Stanley Cup championship from last season.

Only anticipated change for the Jets is Connor Hellebuyck taking back the net from Laurent Brossoit.

Morning Skate:

According to Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press “Very optional, plenty of players not participating. Joe Morrow out with the group in yellow no-contact. First time since injury he’s joined the group.”

Jets projected lineup:

Laine – Scheifele – Wheeler
Connor – Hayes – Ehlers
Tanev-Lowry-Little
Perreault-Copp-Roslovic

Beaulieu – Trouba
Kulikov – Myers
Chiarot – Niku

Helllebuyck
Brossoit

Capitals projected lineup:

Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Wilson
Vrana-Backstrom-Oshie
Hagelin-Eller-Connolly
Burakovsky-Dowd-Boyd

Kempny-Carlson
Orlov-Niskanen
Orpik-Jensen

Copley
Holtby

Audio:

Kyle Connor

Sami Niku

Coach Maurice:  Same skaters as last game with Hellebuyck in net?  Challenges presented by the Capitals.  On Bryan Little handling the transition to the wing.  What did they do better on the power play last game?  With four weeks left in the regular season what is the one thing that he most wants to improve upon?  Update on Joe Morrow.  Update on Dustin Byfuglien?  Is there a benefit to having a rested Dustin Byfuglien?  Status of Bogdan Kiselevich?  Scouting report on Kiselevich?  Needing 10 NHL defenceman to make a run.  What is Patrik Laine doing differently these days?  What did he move Laine to the top line?  Is Laine delivering?

Audio courtesy of TSN 1290 Winnipeg.

Up Next:

Puck drop is at 6:00 pm CT.  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.