3 Talking Points: Winnipeg Jets Lose 3-0 to Pittsburgh Penguins

2. The Fourth Line’s Ice Time

One major headline regarding the Jets right now is their injury problems, especially on offense. Three forwards from the Jets’ opening night roster are currently out with long-term injuries.

Those players include Morgan Barron (4-5 weeks), Mason Appleton (8-12 weeks), and Nikolaj Ehlers (who will have surgery next week; no timetable indicated).

With all of these injuries, many people are stating that Kevin Cheveldayoff and the Jets’ front office should make a trade, but in the meantime, the Jets have made some call-ups from the Manitoba Moose.

Yesterday, the Winnipeg Jets employed a fourth line of Mikey Eyissmont, David Gustafsson, and Dominic Toninato.

At the end of the game, Eyissmont played a total of 4:06, Toninato had 4:21, and Gustafsson led these three players with 5:14 of ice time. It is worth noting that 1:30 of Gustafsson’s ice time was on the penalty kill.

These stats show that the Jets are a three-line team. The fourth line rarely plays and thus cannot have an impact on the game.

This may be something to watch over the next couple of games: How Bowness manages the fourth line’s time on ice, especially if the Jets do not make any trades or roster moves.