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Home , Dustin Byfuglien, Josh Morrissey, Winnipeg Jets

Winnipeg Free Press https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/jets/byfuglien-bitter-about-brief-ice-time- against-buffalo-468220093.html

Byfuglien bitter about brief ice time against Buffalo

By: Mike McIntyre

Dustin Byfuglien was in no mood to talk following Friday night's 4-3 win over Buffalo, in which the veteran finally scored his first of the season but declined post-game interview requests.

And there was a noticeable edge to Byfuglien's demeanour less than 24 hours later as he faced the media following his team's practice in preparation for Sunday's 2 p.m. game in which the Jets (24-11-7) host the (21-12-6) at Bell MTS Place.

Byfuglien, 32, made it clear he wasn't happy playing just 17:53 against the Sabres, which included being stabled to the bench for the final 2:50 with his team clinging to a one-goal lead.

"No, I think I should be out there," Byfuglien replied Saturday when asked if he agreed with how coach deployed his troops. "I would rather play big minutes then sit there."

So has he made his dissatisfaction clear to Maurice?

"Yeah. It's something I think I should be, but they made the decision, and we won," he said.

Byfuglien led the NHL last season averaging 27:26 per night, the highest of his career. Much of that was due to extended absences from (early-season holdout) and (injury) which forced him into an even bigger role.

He came into Friday night's game averaging about 24 minutes a game as the Jets enjoy relative good health and depth this season. Yet he played more than six minutes below that against the Sabres. It's his lowest total in a non-injury game since the 2014-15 season.

A big part was Byfuglien's absence on the kill. Winnipeg fended off five minors Friday night, with Byfuglien seeing just 27 seconds of action during those combined 10 minutes. And with the game on the line at the end, Maurice relied on the pairings of Trouba and , and Myers and Dmitry Kulikov, to bring it home.

"It's a different change when you play big minutes to playing that. It's a little harder to stay in the game and stay focused. But when you're killing penalties that's all you can do," said Byfuglien, who has one goal and 15 assists in his 30 games this season.

Maurice had no issue with Byfuglien's comments Saturday, saying it's the kind of reaction he likes to see.

"We’d want everyone to feel that way. We would have everybody who’s not on the ice preferring to be, especially the guys who like to score goals with the goalie out, that’s prime time. Everybody wants that," said Maurice. "I liked the way the other group was playing. I think that’s probably, barring the games he was kicked out of or in the penalty box, that might be the first time he’s under 20 in an awfully long time. It won’t happen too often again. He’ll be alright."

Maurice said it was more about what the four defencemen he leaned on heavily Friday were doing, rather than what Byfuglien wasn't, that was behind his decision in the final few minutes of action.

"It’s a good issue. It really is. You have different players that are going on different nights. Usually you’ll have him there. I prefer bigger men on the ice at the end," said Maurice. "You watch Josh Morrissey’s game, he was playing so very well. And Jake as well. I also thought there was a rhythm to Myers and Kulikov. So I like that."

Byfuglien will have a familiar partner back today as Toby Enstrom returns to the lineup after missing more than seven weeks with a lower-body injury. He'll replace in the lineup.

"We’ll go back to rolling six guys. It’s been really good, with the injuries I think it’s gotten Kulikov and Myers to a range and their performance is real high," said Maurice. "It’s not an issue for me. I understand it. I’ve had every defencemen in my office at one point this year wondering how they can get a few more minutes. That’s a real good thing to have."

Maurice said he's still comfortable using Byfuglien in a penalty killing role at times, but didn't do so Friday with his team seemingly on a bit of a recent roll without him there which goes back to the 10-game stretch Byfuglien recently missed due to injury. After a tough start to the year, Winnipeg's penalty killing is now 13th-overall in the league at 81.6%.

"Before we go off on these minutes. I answered a lot of questions about the 27 or 28 he played every single night last year. I think his last game was at 25. And (today) he’s going to play between probably 22 or 25 and that’ll have nothing to do with the fact that I had to answer questions at 17," Maurice said Saturday. "It’s going to be whatever the flow goes. If we take more penalties than we get power plays, his minutes come down. He is going to kill penalties, he and Toby I think are a pretty effective pair. We’re on a bit of a PK run for the most part in our last stretch of games so we’ll just run those guys." https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/jets/toby-enstrom-ready-for-comeback-after- november-injury-468220453.html

Toby Enstrom ready for comeback after November injury

By: Mike McIntyre

It took longer than he wanted, but Toby Enstrom is finally ready to return to the lineup after missing nearly two months of action.

"I would have been ready if you asked me two weeks ago," Enstrom said following Saturday's practice, in which he passed his final hurdle. "I feel great. The last few days have been good for me, with the team on the ice. No setbacks at all."

Enstrom, 33, is expected to resume his normal spot on a pairing with in today's matinee against the San Jose Sharks. He's missed 23 games after suffering a lower-body injury in a Nov. 18 contest against the .

"It's never fun to sit on the side. But it makes is easier seeing the team playing well. It's great to see that everyone is chipping in and doing their part," said Enstrom. Winnipeg was 12-4-3 at the time he went down, and went 12-7-4 in his absence.

The Jets will now have their top six defencemen all in the lineup at the same time, pushing Ben Chiarot to the press box. Rookie is also still with the team, and could be headed back to the Moose soon to get some valuable playing time.

"That's a big thing on this team, too. It doesn't matter who's out or not. We have guys that are waiting to get into the lineup. Everyone that stepped in — you see injured here, too – has done a great job. The depth is definitely something the have, and it's great," Enstrom said Saturday of how others have stepped up.

Enstrom doesn't bring the offence like he used to, as he has just two assists so far this season. But he's still a reliable puck-mover who can help his team get out of trouble in their own end.

"He's one of those solid D-men that's always in the right place. The first pass is key with him. He's one of those players that makes the forwards get the puck a little easier out of the zone," Byfuglien said Saturday.

Enstrom, who is an unrestricted free agent following this season, has had plenty of time to watch the team from above to see what's working so well as the Jets push themselves near the top of the standings.

"I felt like we already had it going last year. We kept building and the coach did a good job here and kept pushing the guys and we finally got some pieces together, and it feels like we're moving the right way every day, as it moves on," said Enstrom. "Goaltending has been really good for us, too. It makes a huge difference. Everyone is happy right now. We just have to keep pushing the right way."

Winnipeg Sun http://winnipegsun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/winnipeg-jets/i-should-be-out-there-byfuglien-wants- ice-time-when-games-on-the-line

'I should be out there,' Buff says... Maurice wants his D-men hungry... Enstrom returns with a new look

By Paul Friesen

Dustin Byfuglien was in a surly mood and refused post-game interviews after the Winnipeg Jets beat Buffalo, Friday.

Saturday he relented, and it sounded like there’s one thing he might dislike more than media obligations: not getting much ice time.

Byfuglien was noticeably absent in the last few minutes of Friday’s game, the Jets protecting a one-goal lead.

Hockey players settle into and accept roles all the time, but this is one No. 33 doesn’t embrace.

“No, I think I should be out there,” he said. “But they made the decision, and we won.”

Byfuglien spent more time sitting on the bench, Friday, than he has in any other game this season.

In fact, the 17:53 of ice time he got was his lowest total in the last four seasons, not including games in which he’s been hurt.

“It’s a change when you play big minutes to playing that,” he said. “It’s a little harder to stay in the game and stay focused. But when you’re killing penalties that’s all you can do.”

Byfuglien is no longer on the Jets penalty-killing units, which were on the ice for a full 10 minutes against the Sabres.

But his minutes have been down all season.

After Friday he was ranked 28th in the NHL with an average 23:31 of ice time, compared to his NHL-leading 27:26 per game last season, when the injury-depleted Jets leaned on him heavily. Too heavily, at times.

That’s nearly a full four-minute drop, though.

“I would rather play big minutes than sit there,” Byfuglien said.

The man doling out the minutes says of course, everybody wants more.

“Especially the guys who like to score goals with the goalie out,” coach Paul Maurice said. “That’s prime time.”

Maurice repeated his assertion that the defence pairing of Tyler Myers and Dmitry Kulikov had a good rhythm going, while acknowledging Byfuglien’s minutes were unusually low.

“Barring the games he was kicked out of or in the penalty box, that might be the first time he’s under 20 in an awfully long time,” Maurice said. “It won’t happen too often again. He’ll be alright. It’s not an issue for me. I’ve had every defenceman in my office at one point this year wondering how they can get a few more minutes.

“That’s a real good thing to have.”

Maurice also pointed out he fielded plenty of questions about Byfuglien’s heavy minutes last season.

“And (Sunday) he’s going to play between probably 22 or 25 and that’ll have nothing to do with the fact that I had to answer questions at 17. It’s going to be whatever the flow goes.”

Byfuglien is on the Jets’ power-play, and scored his first goal of the season with the man advantage, Friday.

“It’s never easy to go that long without scoring,” he said. “But we got our two points and our team continued to do good things.”

ENSTROM ITCHING TO GO Byfuglien will get Toby Enstrom back as a defence partner in Sunday’s matinee against San Jose.

Enstrom, who’s missed the better part of seven weeks to injury, is sporting a new beard and an itch to get back in the lineup.

“It’s been a tough seven weeks,” Enstrom said. “I would have been ready if you asked me two weeks ago. I feel great. The last few days have been good for me… no setbacks at all.”

Asked what he’s seen in the Jets’ turnaround from his seat up high, Enstrom actually pointed to evidence from nine or 10 months ago.

“I felt like we already had it going last year,” he said. “We kept building and the coach did a good job here and kept pushing the guys and we finally got some pieces together, and it feels like we’re moving the right way every day. Goaltending has been really good for us, too. It makes a huge difference.

“Everyone is happy right now.”

Enstrom will take Ben Chiarot’s spot in the lineup, giving the Jets a smoother puck-mover, if less physical presence.

“He’s one of those solid D-men that’s always in the right place,” Byfuglien said of Enstrom. “The first pass is key with him. He’s one of those players that makes the forwards get the puck a little easier out of the zone.”

Chiarot was limited to 13 minutes on Friday, the lowest total among defencemen.

“We’ll go back to rolling six guys,” Maurice said of his blue line. “With the injuries I think it’s gotten Kulikov and Myers to a range and their performance is real high.”

HOW SWEDE IT ISN’T Enstrom, a Swede, was being ribbed by Canadian Josh Morrissey about ’s gold-medal win in the World Junior final.

“It’s been pretty quiet, actually,” Enstrom said of the chirping. “Unfortunately Team Sweden lost, but congrats to all the Canadians.”

Enstrom could relate to Swedish Lias Andersson tossing his silver medal into the stands in frustration right after he received it.

“They just lost. Stuff going through your mind, you’re just disappointed, probably,” Enstrom said. “Losing is always tough, especially when you’re that close.”

Andersson did get the medal back. http://winnipegsun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/winnipeg-jets/five-keys-to-jets-vs-sharks-2

Five keys to Jets vs. Sharks

By Paul Friesen

SAN JOSE SHARKS at WINNIPEG JETS

2 p.m., Bell MTS Place

TV: TSN3; Radio: TSN 1290

THE BIG MATCHUP

Jets defence vs. It took him a while to bounce back from a head injury, but Couture, the Sharks’ top scorer, might be back in form. Couture recorded three assists in the Sharks’ loss in Ottawa, Friday, his first points since returning New Year’s Eve. Jets defenders Josh Morrissey and Jacob Trouba will likely have the task of shutting down his line.

FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME

Expect more These aren’t the cellar-dwelling coming to town. The Sharks will be ornery after blowing a 5-2 lead in the third period in Ottawa, and they’re pretty good even when they’re not ticked off. The Jets will need to be better than they were, Friday.

Sticks down and in Paul Maurice wasn’t thrilled with his team’s stick penalties against the Sabres, and they won’t get away with the same against the Sharks. Unlike Buffalo, this team has a real power play, ranked sixth in the NHL.

Speaking of special teams San Jose is adept at killing penalties, too, ranked third in the league. The Jets are climbing in this department, so one slip-up on the PP or PK could easily be the difference in what should be a close game.

A hungry Buff Dustin Byfuglien made it clear he wasn’t happy with his ice time against the Sabres. He’ll likely get more by default if the Jets stay out of the penalty box. But playing with a chip on his shoulder wouldn’t hurt. Sulking, on the other hand, would.

Final test for Toby Toby Enstrom returns after a 23-game absence, saying he’s raring to go. But there’s nothing like live fire to test a recovered injury. Enstrom gives the Jets their full complement on the blue line.

Global Winnipeg https://globalnews.ca/news/3949957/toby-enstrom-ready-to-return-for-winnipeg-jets/

Toby Enstrom ready to return for Winnipeg Jets

By Russ Hobson Sports Anchor/Reporter

After getting Dustin Byfuglien back from injury earlier in the week, more help is on the way for the Winnipeg Jets’ blueline.

Defenseman Toby Enstrom is now ready to return from a lower body injury after missing the past seven weeks.

“It’s been a tough seven weeks but finally back skating with the team and I feel pretty good.” Enstrom said.

Enstrom, 33, was originally hurt in a win over the New Jersey Devils back on November 18 and is slightly ahead of the original eight week timeline for recovery. He’s expected to suit up on Sunday against the San Jose Sharks barring a last minute setback.

“We’ll make the paper work at the last minute obviously.” Jets head coach Paul Maurice said. “We’ll make sure he wakes up and he doesn’t have an issue in the parking lot.”

Enstrom will go back to playing alongside his longtime defense partner Dustin Byfuglien. Enstrom has two assists in 19 games this season.

“I would have been ready if you asked me two weeks ago.” Enstrom said. “But I feel great, like I said, the last few days have been good for me. I’ve been with the team on the ice, no setbacks at all.”

With points in five straight games the Jets close out their short two game homestand on Sunday against the Sharks starting at 2:00 pm at Bell MTS Place. www.winnipegjets.com https://www.nhl.com/jets/news/enstrom-expected-to-return-sunday-as-jets-host-sharks/c- 294720868

Enstrom expected to return Sunday as Jets host Sharks 33-year-old has missed 23 games with a lower-body injury by Mitchell Clinton @MitchellClinton / WinnipegJets.com

WINNIPEG - Cross another name off the Winnipeg Jets injured list.

After missing 23 games with a lower-body injury, Toby Enstrom is set to make his return Sunday afternoon when the Jets host the San Jose Sharks.

"Toby goes in tomorrow," said head coach Paul Maurice, adding Enstrom will be paired with Dustin Byfuglien. "We'll make the paperwork (to activate Enstrom from injured reserve) at the last minute, but we'll make sure he wakes up and doesn't have an issue in the parking lot, and away he goes."

Enstrom was injured Nov. 18 in Winnipeg's 5-2 win over the New Jersey Devils, and after shedding the non-contact jersey for a regular one the last three days - and a quick meeting with the team doctor last night - he says he's anxious to get back in the line-up.

"I would have been ready if you asked me two weeks ago. But I feel great. The last few days have been good for me. No setbacks at all," said Enstrom.

"It's been a tough seven weeks, but finally back skating with the team, and I feel pretty good."

The 33-year-old defenceman will be joining a line-up that is 4-0-1 in the last five games, including a 4-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Friday night.

The win moved the Jets to 19-0-1 when leading after 40 minutes, and 7-0-7 in one-goal games.

We hadn't beaten that team, for whatever reason, in a couple years. So there's something in the way the teams match up that means it's not going to be an easy game," said Maurice. "We didn't come out of our game. We didn't chase it. It wasn't particularly fun to watch. It wasn't that up and down the ice. What we've done a good job this year is playing the game that's played. We want to dictate, and you do, but the other team has a big piece to the way the game is played as well. I thought we managed that part very well."

With the 2 pm CT puck drop Sunday, the Jets held a fast-paced 30-minute skate on Saturday. , , and Tyler Myers were the only ones absent, but Maurice anticipates all three will be available for the match up with the Sharks, with starting in goal.

Like the Sabres, the Sharks will also come into Winnipeg off a tough loss. After letting a 5-2 lead evaporate in Ottawa, San Jose left the nation's capital with a 6-5 overtime loss.

"They're a veteran group, they'll go back to their game. One of the very best defensive teams in the National Hockey League," said Maurice. "They've always had such great continuity of players that have played together for so long. They have that anticipation advantage on most teams. They have a pretty good idea where the puck is going. They change sides in the offensive zone as often as any team in the league.

"It's a real challenge defensively against them."

The Sharks' power play (sixth) and penalty kill (third) both rank in the league's top ten. Thanks to going 2-for-4 on the man advantage in the win over the Sabres, Winnipeg's power play is tied for second, and the penalty kill has continued to creep up the standings as well, sitting 13th, thanks to only allowing two goals on 27 shorthanded situations since Dec. 17.

"We gave up four in our first two games. You're fighting that statistic for a long time," said Maurice. "Slightly more aggressive in that we understand our routes a little bit better, a little more aggressive at the blue line, a little more aggressive in the zone. You're trying to get your PK unit to a point of anticipation.

"You're short a guy. So you've got to get the right stick in the right body lane. To get that right at the start, you have a lot of stationary positioning. Then you want to start moving and you want to start anticipating where the puck is moving, and having the confidence to jump a little bit earlier so you start to look more and more aggressive, without chasing the puck."

The Jets are 10-3-0 against Pacific Division opponents, with one of those three losses coming in San Jose by a score of 4-0 back on Nov. 25.

"They beat us in their building. We'll prepare ourselves for a hard game. They're a good team," said . "They're in our conference and we're fighting for a playoff spot. It's going to be big game for us."

JETS GAME NOTES

Today's Game The Winnipeg Jets welcome the San Jose Sharks to Bell MTS Place tomorrow afternoon to finish a two-game weekend homestand...The Jets beat the Buffalo Sabres 4-3 on Friday night to begin the homestand with their fourth consecutive home win...After today's game, the Jets head out on a three-game road trip, beginning in Buffalo on Tuesday.

Jets vs. Sharks Notes - The Jets have lost four straight games to the Sharks and five of the last six contests. - Winnipeg has also dropped three straight home games to San Jose. - Since relocating to Winnipeg in 2011, the Jets franchise is 5-9-0 against the Sharks. - The Jets are 1-for-11 (9.1%) on the power play in their last four games against the Sharks.

Home, Sweet Home The Jets hold down one of the best home records in the NHL this season at 15-3-1, good for an .816 points percentage...The Jets have won 11 of their last 12 home games, outscoring their opposition 52-25 in the process...Winnipeg has scored four goals or more in 10 of the 11 wins...Only the (2) have fewer losses in regulation at home in the NHL this season...In 2017-18, the Jets have already tied franchise records for consecutive wins on home ice (seven: Nov. 14 - Dec. 11) and consecutive games with a point on home ice (11: Oct. 20 - Dec. 14)... The Jets have the best power play in the NHL at home at 32.9% (23-for-70).

Points in Five The Jets have a point in five consecutive games (4-0-1) since the Christmas break and have points in eight of their last nine games (6-1-2)...Winnipeg's longest point streak of the season is eight games (5-0-3) from Oct. 20-Nov. 6/17...The Jets have only suffered three losing streaks of two or more games so far this season...In the games following those streak-breaking victories, the Jets have yet to fall back and suffer another loss, going 6-0-2 in games after ending a losing streak.

Two-Wheeler Captain had a goal and an assist on Friday against the Sabres to register his 14th multi-point game of the season, which is the most on the Jets this season...He has three multi-point games in his last four outings...Wheeler is the only player in the NHL this season to have three four-point games.

Gettin' Streaky Blake Wheeler's two-point game against Buffalo extended his point streak to five games (5G, 3A) and goal scoring streak to four games (5G)...It's his fourth point streak of three games or more this season... had an assist against the Sabres on Friday to extend his point and assist streaks to four games (6A)...It's the first time in his career that Laine has had a point streak of three games or more without scoring a goal.

Third First Star Connor Hellebuyck led the Jets to three consecutive wins last week coming out of the Christmas break to be named the NHL's First Star of the Week for the week ending Dec. 31/17...Since Dec. 16/17, Hellebuyck is unbeaten in regulation with a 5-0-2 record and has a 1.82 goals-against average and .941 save percentage in the seven games...He's in the NHL's top 10 in wins (3rd - 21), goals-against average (9th - 2.38), save percentage (T-10th - .922) and shutouts (T-4th - 3) ...This is the first time in his career that Hellebuyck has been selected in the NHL's Three Stars of the Week...He joins Blake Wheeler (Dec. 4 - First Star) and (Oct. 16 - First Star) as members of the Jets that have earned NHL Three Stars of the Week honours this season.

Facing the West The Jets are 17-6-2 against the Western Conference this season, including a 10-3-0 record versus the Pacific Division... Only one other NHL team (Vegas) has 10 wins against the Pacific... Winnipeg has won four straight games against Pacific Division opponents and is 8-1-0 in their last nine versus the Pacific... Nikolaj Ehlers leads the Jets with 14 points (8G, 6A) against the Pacific Division, while Connor Hellebuyck leads the league with eight wins against the Pacific.