Some of the Jets did hit the ice at the IcePlex before they took off for Pennsylvania to kick off their four game road trip with stops in Pittsburgh, Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto. According to Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun this group included Marko Dano wearing a non-contact uniform. Ken also indicated that Andrew Copp (upper body) won’t make the trip with the Jets. Coach Maurice indicated that Marko Dano and Ondrej Pavelec will be with the team on the road trip although he didn’t indicate if either would get into a game.
A few players plus Jets bench boss did speak before departing and this is what they had to say.
Mark Scheifele: On guys having some good feeling this morning. What did he like about last night’s win? What did it mean to the group to play tighter defensively? On Laine’s game winning goal. Any thoughts on hitting 200 for his career last night? On the importance of this road trip. Thoughts on Pittsburgh and Crosby trying to reach the 1000 point plateau.
Josh Morrissey: Looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead on this road trip? What has it been like to play with Trouba? Biggest challenge to try to contain Sidney Crosby? How can they bottle the effort from last night?
Coach Maurice: On the sense of enjoyment his players can have coming to the rink today. How much will this road trip impact their playoff push? On last night’s defensive effort and keep that moving forward. His thoughts on Michel Therrien being let go. Was he surprised that Therrien was let go? How much time does he get his guys to embrace/block out the external storylines? (i.e. Crosby going for 1000, Claude Julien coaching first game, Leafs rookies). Will he have to settle down Laine for the game against the Leafs? Thoughts on Crosby. Can Pavelec play in one of the four road games?
Audio courtesy of TSN 1290 Winnipeg.
