Game 79: Jets vs. Blackhawks pre-game report

The Jets held an optional practice on Sunday before leaving Winnipeg so we don’t have any real indication if they plan on switching things up today in Chicago.  Until morning skate gets underway the lineup below will simply be based on the last game.

Morning Skate Notes:

As per Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun defenceman Josh Morrissey continues to skate in a yellow non-contact jersey.  He also indicates that Laurent Brossoit isn’t on the ice for morning skate and he also confirms that Connor Hellebuyck will get the start in goal.

Jets projected lineup:

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

Beaulieu Trouba
Chiarot Byfuglien
Kulikov Myers

Hellebuyck
Comrie

Audio:

Andrew Copp

Dustin Byfuglien

Coach Maurice:  What is the key focal point to kick off the road trip?  On the Jets controlling their own destiny.  On the Jets needing to flip a switch.  On the Jets being a measuring stick within the division.  On players (Wheeler, Toews, Kane) raising their game as they age.  Is there a chance that Brossoit will be available tomorrow?  Does he have Comrie penciled in for a start tomorrow?  Any lineup changes tonight?  Josh Morrissey update.

Audio courtesy of TSN 1290 Winnipeg.

Health Update:

Coach Maurice was asked about the status of Laurent Brossoit “I don’t have him available tomorrow.  He’s not far off but there is no reason for us to put him in the lineup and set him back so that he’s not 100%.  Our expectation is that come next Wednesday or Thursday that he’d be ready to go.  There’s always a chance I guess that things don’t heal but our expectation is he’s at 100% soon so I am not going to risk that.”  The Jets bench boss was also asked about Josh Morrissey “Back skating, feeling strong and shooting pucks hard.  He’s again not far off.  I’d put him in the Laurent Brossoit category too.  Will take the extra three or four days rest.  He’s been training real hard, and he says he feels great and his legs feel great so we want to make sure we maximize that so we don’t have to worry about it.”  Asked if he would want to get him in a regular season game the coach added “I don’t think there is a big enough value to that.”

Up Next:

Puck drop is at 7:30 pm CDT.  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.