And now back to regularly scheduled programming. The Olympic games are over and the stretch run for the Jets got underway last night in Vancouver as Winnipeg downed the Canucks 3-2 in overtime. It was the start of a three game Western swing that will see the Jets head south to California for a date with the Ducks on Saturday and the Sharks on Sunday. Winnipeg's lineup is still coming together with Connor Hellebuyck set to rejoin the team in California and fellow Olympians Nino Niederreiter and Josh Morrissey out with injuries.
The top six picked up where they left off
It was a good night for the Jets' top two lines. Kyle Connor, Gabe Vilardi, and Cole Perfetti found twine against the rebuilding Canucks. Connor's goal was a feel good moment after being scratched four consecutive times for team USA in Milan. He had some extra grit and hustle in his first game back in the National Hockey League, as he looked to move on from the situation in the Olympics. Mark Scheifele got the helper with an impressive no-look pass behind the net. The second line had an even more impressive night despite burying only one goal - the overtime winner from Cole Perfetti. The combination of Alex Iafallo, Adam Lowry, and Perfetti regsitered nine scoring chances while surrendering only four. Lowry and Perfetti seem to be building chemistry after head coach Scott Arniel has given them a run of games and put Jonathan Toews on the third line. With the trade deadline approaching and some injuries set to return, the lineup will look different throughout the last two months of the season.
Injuries still plaguing Jets defenceÂ
The blue line had a different look in Vancouver. With Josh Morrissey out after an injury in the first game in Milan, the Jets called up Kale Clague to give some extra coverage. With where the Jets are in the standings they really should not rush Morrissey back - a prolonged setback that impacts next season would be catastrophic. On the brighter side, fellow defencemen Haydn Fleury, Colin Miller, and Neal Pionk appear close to returning. Ville Heinola made an appearance despite his recent comments about his development with the organization. When Morrissey, Fleury, and Miller are back to full strength you would expect to see Clague and Heinola return to the American Hockey League. What the Jets do with Elias Salomonsson will be more interesting. One of the top prospects in the organization, now is the perfect time to get him minutes in the NHL while the points in the standings aren’t critical.Â
The Jets will have a back to back this weekend while trade rumours start to accelerate with the trade deadline next Friday. Stay tuned to Jets White Out for the latest on all things Jets.