Winnipeg Jets Playoff Practice Report

Photo Credit: Dave Mahussier

The Jets are back on the ice today as they continue to prepare for the Nashville Predators at a still to be determined time and date. Many questions ahead of today’s skate on the health of the Jets squad. While we won’t expect coach Maurice to change his policy of ‘cone of silence’ we may see some players in the skate which has been the best (and only) indication of health. Will Nikolaj Ehlers and Tobias Enstrom continue to wear yellow non-contact uniforms? Might Joel Armia, Mathieu Perreault, Dmitry Kulikov return to the ice anytime soon? And will goalie Steve Mason continue to skate ahead of the Jets practice? Stay tuned to find out.

Pre-practice note:

According to Scott Billeck of the Winnipeg Sun injured goalie Steve Mason is back on the ice today working ahead of today’s skate with goalie coach Wade Flaherty.

Practice notes:

Also via Scott Billeck we have an appearance of Joel Armia at today’s skate in a yellow non-contact uniform.  As well he indicated that Nikolaj Ehlers and Tobias Enstrom have shed their non-contact jerseys.  Ken Wiebe also of the Winnipeg Sun indicated that Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck took a puck up high and left practice but did return although for the second consecutive practice Patrik Laine has left early.

Listed below are the lines and D pairs via Brian Munz of TSN 1290 Winnipeg.

Lines & D Pairs:

Connor-Scheifele-Wheeler
Ehlers-Stastny-Laine
Tanev-Lowry-Little
Hendricks-Copp-Roslovic

Extra forwards: Matthias, Dano

Morrissey-Trouba
Enstrom-Byfuglien
Chiarot-Myers
Morrow-Poolman

Audio:

Blake Wheeler

Andrew Copp

Matt Hendricks

Coach Maurice: On handling the waiting game about finding out when the 2nd round begins.  Matching up down the middle.  On Stastny’s addition to centre depth.  Versatility to send skilled centres to the wing.  Update on Enstrom?  Trying to shut down the skill.  Seeing similarities between the two teams.  How well suited is Enstrom to this series and what kind of weapon can he be?  If Enstrom does come back then someone is coming out that has been playing well.  Does he have any concern with Laine?  When things get chippy does he want his team to take the high road?  When he saw Hellebuyck go down in practice what was his thought?  When does he expect to find out when the series starts?  Will they skate tomorrow?  Update on Armia?  Morrow vs Chiarot decision- what does it come down to?  On the different styles of Chiarot and Morrow.  Would Enstrom go back with Byfuglien?  On the Nashville extra curricular and how they handle it.  Any different mindset to starting on the road?  On the pressure of being the home team.  On Nashville not selling tickets to those outside the market.  On the reads by the D based on the way Nashville moves the puck up the ice.

Audio courtesy of TSN 1290 Winnipeg.

Health Updates:

When questioned about Tobias Enstrom‘s health after the veteran defenceman shed the non-contact uniform for today’s skate Jets bench boss Paul Maurice gave his usual playoff non-answer indicating “He looks good man”.  Similarly when asked about whether Joel Armia, who was in a non-contact jersey, appears to be progressing the coach answered “Yes, yes he does”.

Patrik Laine left practice early again today but the coach didn’t seem concerned.  “I don’t have any concerns.  He’s been hanging out with Nikky too much.  He’s caught the malaise.  It’s a light malaise.  It’s a low fat.”.  As indicated above Connor Hellebuyck left practice and returned after taking a shot.  Coach Maurice said he looked to see goalie coach Wade Flaherty’s face and wasn’t too concerned based on his response.