Laine Pots a Pair As Jets Top Red Wings 4-3

Winnipeg Free Press https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/jets/laine-pots-two-as-jets-top-red-wings-4-3- 475717083.html

Laine pots a pair as Jets top Red Wings 4-3

By: Mike Sawatzky

Patrik Laine’s hands and goal-scoring savvy have never been in doubt but it’s the 19-year-old’s feet that have fuelled a recent upsurge in production.

On Friday night, the sophomore right-winger scored his team-leading 32nd and 33rd goals to power the Winnipeg Jets to a 4-3 triumph over the Detroit Red Wings in NHL action before 15,321 fans at Bell MTS Place.

Laine, Winnipeg’s second-overall choice in the 2016 NHL Draft, now has eight goals and 13 points in his last seven games. He is only three shy of equalling the 36 goals he scored in 73 games during his rookie season.

"I think I just started to skate more," said Laine. "I just try to work hard and play as simple as can and I think that’s the biggest reason why I’m getting rewarded. It’s just the skating, (that’s) the biggest thing."

Jets head coach Paul Maurice’s explanation was even more direct.

"His feet. He’s skating. He’s driving harder," said Maurice. "He’s skating better, with and without the puck and because of that, his timing is right and everything else is falling into place for him."

Detroit, fifth in the Atlantic, fell to 26-28-10.

The Jets spotted the Wings a 1-0 lead on a goal by Niklas Kronwall at 12:46 of the first period but Laine, who sniped after eluding the check of Dylan Larkin and curling to the net, and Ben Chiarot, with his first of the season, responded 26 seconds apart to give the hosts a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes. Laine’s first of the night was a good example of what Maurice was talking about.

"That is exactly the idea," said Maurice. "He’s a big strong powerful man that has whole other pieces to his game. He can still develop and are going to make him even more dynamic."

The Jets, who are second in the Central Division with a 38-17-9 record, hit the road for six-game trip beginning Sunday night in Carolina against the Hurricanes.

In the middle frame, Dustin Byfuglien added his fifth of the season on a one-timer, finishing off a superb cross-ice feed from Josh Morrissey. The goal capped an 85-second, 27-pass flurry of zone time by the Jets, leaving the five Detroit players on the ice exhausted.

"I think they were tired... We had a lot of O-zone time," said Morrissey, who finished the game with two assists and 24:21 of ice time. "They were gassed. You could see the puck would go to the corner and they were pretty straight-legged. That’s where you just want to keep buzzing.

"The forwards did a great job getting some pucks back and playing with Buff, we’ve played together enough, especially last year in practice. There’s a little bit of chemistry there... When you’re playing with him, he can see those areas and go to those places and he found a great spot and I just put it on his tape."

Detroit’s Anthony Mantha closed the gap to 3-2 before Laine went to work again, taking a clever feed from Nikolaj Ehlers at the Red Wings’ blue line and snapping a shot into the top corner over goaltender Jimmy Howard’s blocker.

In the third period, defenceman Trevor Daley pulled the Wings to within 4-3, beating Connor Hellebuyck with a nice individual effort.

The victory came three days after a late collapse resulted in a 6-5 home loss to the Nashville Predators.

"I thought we did a lot of good things against Nashville, probably played a better game than we did tonight even though we got the win," said Morrissey. "I didn’t love our first period, I really liked our second and in the third we took our foot off the gass a little bit. You have to find a way to win and in the last six minutes, we did pretty good job and Helly made some big saves."

Morrissey admitted the Jets will have to work hard to maintain a playoff level of play.

"It’s imperative you get it up to that level," said Morrissey. "You look at Detroit, they played hard tonight. They did a lot of the things we do to other teams in the first period and throughout the game. They’ve got a lot of speed, they really pressured us, they had good sticks. It just seemed like you never had a clean play. It’s something we’re really good at. When we got skating in the second, we started to find our games."

Hellebuyck finished the game with 30 saves. Howard stopped 38 shots.

MASON’S STATUS: Veteran goaltender Steve Mason will begin a one- or two-game conditioning stint with the AHL’s Moose Saturday against the Iowa Wild.

Mason will then rejoin the Jets Tuesday in New York against the Rangers. He is expected to make at least one start on the trip.

Mason, a 29-year-old unrestricted free agent who signed a two-year deal with Winnipeg in the off-season, suffered his second concussion of the season when he took a shot off his mask during a morning skate in Chicago on Jan. 12.

He has played only three times since suffering his first concussion Jan. 25 in San Jose. His season numbers thus far include a 3-6-1 record, .897 save percentage and a 3.52 goals-against average.

Once Mason is recalled, Michael Hutchinson will be reassigned to Manitoba.

NOTEWORTHY: Winnipeg went 0-for-3 on the power play. Detroit was 1-for-1 with the man advantage. https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/not-just-another-ordinary-joe-475723933.html

Not just another ordinary Joe New Jets defenceman Morrow takes connecting flights to NHL playing time

By: Jeff Hamilton

When the Winnipeg Jets acquired journeyman defenceman Joe Morrow with just moments to spare before the NHL trade deadline earlier this week, they did so with the hope of never having to play him.

Morrow, who came over from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for the Jets’ fourth-round pick this year, was brought in to provide depth on a sturdy blue line. If all was to go well on the injury front — a big if, of course — it’s certain Morrow would have spent the rest of season in the press box.

But if injuries are anything, they’re unexpected. With Jacob Trouba already out with a high ankle sprain, and the loss of Toby Enstrom, the Jets’ newest defenceman was immediately added to the active roster. Morrow didn’t have to wait long for his chance. He has played in both games since arriving in Winnipeg, creating a situation that is both unusual and familiar for the Edmonton native, who, days after joining the Jets, says he feels an equal dose of enthusiasm and disbelief in his new surroundings.

"I thought I would have been the last person to be shipped out of there," said Morrow, in a sit down with the Free Press ahead of the Jets tilt with the Detroit Red Wings on Friday. "It’s more an honour than anything to be brought into a situation like this…I’m going to play my heart out for this team."

Morrow’s surprise at being dealt by the Canadiens wasn’t because he hadn’t been in that same place before. In fact, the Jets are his fifth organization in seven years. And to suggest he’s been around the block once or twice would be a gross understatement. He just figured with Montreal declaring themselves sellers at the deadline, that there would be bigger fish on the club eager to test out new waters.

"For me, I thought it was a situation where I would play out the season and do what I can to leave a lasting impression," said Morrow, a restricted free agent by the end of the year.

Morrow was once a big fish himself. Although he’s just 25 years old, that already seems like a lifetime ago.

Drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round — 23rd overall — in the 2011 NHL draft, he returned that year to the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League. That season, he finished second in league scoring among defencemen, with 64 points (17 goals, 47 assists) in 62 games, and was named a first-team all-star.

"It’s understandable to think that when you’re selected in the first round that things are kind of going to be a given for you, and that’s not the case at all," Morrow said. "It’s a cool token to have in your pocket, it’s cool to have that experience of going up on stage on national television and accepting that jersey from a team and being looked at as one of the best players in the world at your age group. But that’s about as far as it goes."

After that standout season in Portland, Morrow was ready to make the jump to the professional ranks. But his timing couldn’t have been worse, as the NHL lockout stopped any chance of him jumping up with the big club.

With the NHL on hold, Morrow was assigned to Wilkes-Barrie/Scranton, the Penguins’ American Hockey League affiliate. After posting modest numbers there, he was traded to Dallas later that year — along with a fifth-round pick — for Brendan Morrow (no relation) and a third-round pick. By the summer, he was shipped off to the Boston Bruins as one piece in the blockbuster trade that sent superstar forward Tyler Seguin the other way.

"I’ve definitely had some tough times," said Morrow, whose dad, Dave, spent time with the Indianapolis Racers of the WHA. His brother, Josh, was selected late by the Nashville Predators in 2002. "It doesn’t really have a value on it, to be able to have a family like I have to lean on."

It wouldn’t be until the 2014-15 season that Morrow would finally make his NHL debut, scoring one goal in 15 games for the Bruins that year. Over three seasons with Boston, he collected three goals and seven assists in 65 games. A smooth skater who can be inserted into the lineup with little notice, perhaps Morrow’s greatest contribution came in last year’s playoffs. After sitting out the first game in Round 1, Morrow averaged more than 22 minutes over the next five, while the Bruins were eliminated by the Ottawa Senators.

"The kind of diverse career that I’ve had — because it definitely hasn’t been a straight-and- narrow path by any means — it just builds you up as a person, and solidifies your desire to play hockey and desire to keep going in this business," Morrow said. "At 25 years old, I still have a lot to go and a lot to learn, and I really do think my best hockey is yet to come."

Though he was in and out of the lineup throughout his time in Boston, Morrow must have done something to impress then-head coach Claude Julien. After the Bruins fired Julien in February 2017, he resurfaced with the Canadiens shortly thereafter. The next season, Morrow, a free agent at the time, signed a one-year deal with Montreal.

In an odd twist of fate, Winnipeg had also offered Morrow a contract that off-season, which he respectfully declined in favour of Montreal.

"At the time, I viewed confidence and comfortability in a situation over diving into a brand-new experience," said Morrow, who echoed his appreciation for Winnipeg in continuing to see something in him. "Ending up on a team like this at the end of the season, it’s always tough coming into a group that has been successful and been together since Day 1.

"You’ve got to prove yourself. These guys want to win, and to be able to slot in and help with that is the only way you kind of get accepted. That’s where my mind is at right now."

Winnipeg Sun http://winnipegsun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/winnipeg-jets/jets-only-flirt-with-trouble-this-time-in- win-over-wings

Jets only flirt with trouble this time in win over Wings

By Paul Friesen

This time, they shut the door.

Three days after coughing up a two-goal, third-period lead to Nashville, the Winnipeg Jets only flirted with trouble against the Detroit Red Wings, Friday night.

The result was a much-needed 4-3 win that prevented a two-game skid on home ice and gave the Jets an extra two-point cushion on Minnesota in the race for second place in the NHL’s Central Division.

Leading 4-2 after 40 minutes, the Jets allowed the Wings to close the gap five minutes into the third, before saying enough is enough.

Of course, that’s easier against the offensively-challenged Wings than it is against the high- octane Preds.

Time now for the longest road trip of the season, five games through the East, plus a stop in Music City.

If the Jets are still comfortably in second place by then, it’ll have been a success.

MASON ON THE VERGE Goalie Steve Mason spoke with reporters Friday for the first time since suffering his second concussion of the season, seven weeks ago.

“It’s been just an overall long year,” Mason said. “Being out of the lineup so much, it’s not fun. But it’s the way the cards have fallen this year. You deal with that. I’m excited to finally be almost getting into game action.”

Mason is one or two AHL games away from rejoining the Jets as the backup.

He’ll start for the Manitoba Moose here, Saturday, with the option to play again for the Moose, Sunday afternoon, after which he’s supposed to join the Jets in New York for the second stop on their six-game road trip to the East.

Mason’s second head injury came when he took a puck off the chin of his mask in the morning skate of a game day in Chicago, Jan. 12.

“Much like the first one, the symptoms came on as the day progressed,” Mason said. “They lingered quite a bit longer than the original one this year. With these things you never know how long it’s going to take. You have to try and stay patient and try and stay engaged. But it’s tough at times.

“When you get two in one year it’s frustrating, and maybe a little bit worrying.”

Saying he’s felt good for the last two and a half weeks, Mason has upgraded his mask to add some protection.

Regaining his confidence wasn’t as simple.

“Not flinching when the puck is coming — because when I first got back on the ice that’s what I felt myself doing, was kind of pulling away from the puck,” Mason said. “Obviously as a goaltender you can’t be doing that.”

That’s a startling admission. I don’t know how many goalies would be honest enough to say that.

Mason is aware of the dangers of further concussions, too, acknowledging he’s now had “three or four” in his career.

“You’re always going to want to have your health. I want to have a normal lifestyle down the road.”

Signed to a two-year, $8.2-million deal to be the Jets starter this season, Mason has played in just 11 games, and only three since Nov. 25, the date of his first concussion.

Luckily for the Jets, Connor Hellebuyck has grabbed the No. 1 position and run with it.

A NEW NO. 2 That didn’t take long.

Two games into the Paul Stastny-Patrik Laine-and Nik Ehlers-as-a-third-line experiment, the trio became the Jets’ second line, Friday.

The distinction is there in black and white on the game sheet.

Stastny was on the ice, even-strength, for 15:58, Friday, compared to Little’s 12:01. Ehlers and Laine had similar edges in that department over Mathieu Perreault and Jack Roslovic.

In their first game together, Tuesday’s loss to Nashville, the Stastny line was just behind Little’s in ice time.

It’s no surprise that changed. Laine and Ehlers are the team’s top goal scorers, after all.

Head coach Paul Maurice said before Friday’s game he expected opposing coaches to treat the threesome as a No. 2 scoring unit, behind the Mark Scheifele-Blake Wheeler-Kyle Connor unit.

“You’re going to draw probably the three-four (defencemen),” Maurice said. “I still think Scheif and Wheeler are going to draw the one-two, shutdown pair of D, and they’ll get the three-four coming out next.”

Maurice doesn’t plan to break up his newest combo for a while.

“We’ll invest some time in the line to give it an opportunity to get comfortable,” Maurice said. “I’m going to leave them, unless I want to just see something else, to see another combination.”

WATCH AND LEARN Stastny should be a good influence on his young linemates, and not just on the scoresheet.

You know how occasionally Ehlers and Laine make high-risk plays that lead to turnovers?

“There’s a patience to his game,” Maurice said of Stastny. “He doesn’t have to prove to anybody that he can do some offensive things. The young guys come in at times, because that’s what they’re selling to the team, they feel like they’ve got to show it every time.

“You throw something into the middle when there’s no place to put it, and you’ve got a real problem going the other way.”

QUOTABLE “He’s a Man United fan. I don’t like that. I’m a Chelsea guy.” — Ehlers, on what he’s learned about Stastny over the first few days. http://winnipegsun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/winnipeg-jets/mason-eyes-return-to-jets-crease

Mason eyes return to Jets crease

By Paul Friesen

Steve Mason is one or two AHL games away from rejoining the Winnipeg Jets as their backup goalie.

Mason will start for the Manitoba Moose, Saturday, with the option to play again for the Moose, Sunday afternoon, after which he’ll join the Jets on their six-game road trip to the East.

Mason spoke with reporters today for the first time since suffering his second concussion of the season, seven weeks ago.

Mason’s second head injury came when he took a puck off the chin of his mask in the morning skate of a game day in Chicago, Jan. 12.

“When you get two in one year it’s frustrating, and maybe a little bit worrying.”

Saying he’s felt good for the last two and a half weeks, Mason has upgraded his mask to add some protection.

Regaining his confidence wasn’t as simple.

“Not flinching when the puck is coming — because when I first got back on the ice that’s what I felt myself doing, was kind of pulling away from the puck,” he said. “Obviously as a goaltender you can’t be doing that.”

Signed to be the Jets starter this season, Mason has played in just 11 games, and only three since Nov. 25, the date of his first concussion.

Luckily for the Jets, Connor Hellebuyck has grabbed the No. 1 position and run with it. He’ll be starting his 51st game tonight at home against Detroit.

The Jets aren’t expected to make any lineup changes, despite a loss in their last game.

That means Paul Maurice will once again send out newly-acquired centre Paul Stastny between top goal scorers Patrik Laine and Nik Ehlers on one of the NHL’s top “third lines.”

The Jets head coach says he simply calls it “the Stastny line.”

Stastny played more than 14 minutes in his debut, Tuesday’s 6-5 loss to Nashville, scoring a goal at even strength and setting up Mark Scheifele for a power play marker.

Ehlers and Laine each had two points, as well.

Maurice says Stastny, acquired in a trade with St. Louis, Monday, will eventually get work on the penalty kill, too.

The Jets trail first-place Nashville by six points in the Central Division, with Minnesota just four points back in third.

Detroit is seven points off the playoff line in the East.

Canadian Press https://www.chrisd.ca/2018/03/02/patrik-laines-two-goals-power-winnipeg-jets-past-detroit-red- wings-4-3/

Laine Continues to Impress Jets Teammates with Two Goals in Win Over Red Wings

By Darrin Bauming, The Canadian Press

WINNIPEG – Patrik Laine’s accurate shooting has caught the attention of his opponents in the NHL, but it’s actually the 19-year-old’s feet that are capturing the attention of his teammates on the Winnipeg Jets.

Laine’s two goals Friday night, including the winner, helped the Jets edge the Detroit Red Wings 4-3.

“His feet. His skating. He’s driving harder,” said Jets head coach Paul Maurice of what he’s seen emerge in Laine’s game. “He’s skating better with and without the puck, and because of that his timing is right and everything else is falling into place for him. It’s all in his feet.”

Laine’s two point night extend his point scoring streak to seven games, where he has totalled eight goals and 13 points. Laine’s 33 goals this season move the Jets’ sophomore into a tie for fifth in the NHL with Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov and Minnesota’s Eric Staal.

“I think I’ve just started to skate more,” said Laine, who leads the league with 16 power-play goals. “I’m just trying to work hard and play as simple as I can, and that’s the biggest reason why I’m getting rewarded. It’s just the skating that’s the biggest reason.”

Winnipeg’s victory is its sixth in its past eight games. At 38-17-9 and 85 points, the Jets continue to nip at the heels of the Central Division-leading Nashville Predators.

Dustin Byfuglien and Ben Chiarot also added goals for Winnipeg.

Niklas Kronwall, Anthony Mantha, and Trevor Daley replied for Detroit (26-28-10). The Red Wings have lost five of their last seven games, each by a one-goal margin.

“It’s another one-goal loss here. We can say that we were close and that we battled hard in the third but there’s no reason for us to be in that situation,” said Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg. “We’re not consistent enough.”

Connor Hellebuyck turned away 30 of the 33 shots he faced to capture his 33rd victory of the season — good for the third most in the NHL. Detroit’s Jimmy Howard made 38 saves in the loss.

“I thought we started off pretty good, came out with a lot of energy,” said Kronwall, who opened the scoring with the man-advantage midway through the first period. “We made it too hard on ourselves, kept turning the puck over. They’re a good team. When you give them the space and give them the puck back all of the time, they’re going to make you pay.”

Kronwall capitalized on Detroit’s only power play — but 38 seconds later Winnipeg responded with two goals in a span of just 26 seconds to take the lead.

Laine scored his first with a wrist shot from in close following a Red Wings turnover in their own zone. Chiarot put away his first of the season with a soaring shot from the perimeter.

Winnipeg entered the game with the league’s No. 2-ranked home power play, but went 0 for 3 on the night.

Byfuglien’s back-door chip-in from a Josh Morrissey cross-ice feed put Winnipeg up 3-1 before Detroit responded with Mantha’s 21st of the season and, eventually, Daley’s eighth.

“There’s a little bit of chemistry there, especially offensively,” said Morrissey of his defensive partner Byfuglien. “When you’re playing with him he can see those areas and go to those places. He found a great spot and I just put it on his tape.”

Laine’s eventual winner was similar to his first goal of the game – a lightning-quick release wrister, beating Howard high.

“It’s always nice to finish the homestand with a win,” added Laine. “We needed that.”

Following 12 off their last 14 games on home ice, the Jets now head out on a season-long six- game road trip through the eastern United States beginning in Carolina on Sunday. The Red Wings complete their four-game road trip with visits to Minnesota and Boston.

NHL.com https://www.nhl.com/news/detroit-red-wings-winnipeg-jets-game-recap/c-296553038

Laine scores two goals to lift Jets past Red Wings Defensemen have five points for Winnipeg, which gets fourth win in six games by Scott Billeck / NHL.com Correspondent

WINNIPEG -- Patrik Laine scored two goals, and the Winnipeg Jets held on for a 4-3 win against the Detroit Red Wings at Bell MTS Place on Friday.

Defensemen Dustin Byfuglien and Ben Chiarot scored for the Jets, who have won four of six games. Connor Hellebuyck made 30 saves for his 33rd win.

"I just started to skate more and tried to work hard and play as simple as I can," said Laine, who has eight goals and five assists in a seven-game point streak. "That's the biggest reason why I'm getting rewarded."

Winnipeg (38-17-9) trails the Nashville Predators by six points for first place in the Central Division and leads the Minnesota Wild by six for second.

"This was a good building day for us," Hellebuyck said. "I know we have better and we want to shut teams down. This is a good steppingstone to realize we have more to give. We worked hard enough to get it done."

Niklas Kronwall, Anthony Mantha and Trevor Daley scored for the Red Wings, who are 2-4-1 in their past seven games.

"It's another one-goal loss here," Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg said. "We can say that we were close and that we battled hard in the third, but there's no reason for us to be in that situation."

Detroit (26-28-10) is seven points behind the Columbus Blue Jackets for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference. Jimmy Howard made 38 saves.

Kronwall gave the Red Wings a 1-0 lead when he scored on the power play at 12:46 of the first period with a slap shot from the point.

Laine tied the game 1-1 at 13:24 with a quick wrist shot after taking a pass from defenseman Tyler Myers in the right face-off circle.

Chiarot gave the Jets a 2-1 lead when his point shot beat Howard high to the glove side at 13:50. It was his first goal of the season, ending a 38-game drought dating to March 19, 2017.

"When you give them the space and give them the puck back all of the time, they're going to make you pay," Kronwall said. "It's tough when you dig yourself a whole like that."

Byfuglien tapped in a cross-ice pass from defenseman Josh Morrissey to make it 3-1 at 6:25 of the second period. Morrissey had two assists.

Mantha got the Red Wings within 3-2 at 7:35 when he scored off a pass from Gustav Nyquist from below the goal line to the right of the net.

Laine scored his second of the night on a wrist shot at 12:17 to make it 4-2.

Daley made it 4-3 when he scored with a wrist shot from the point at 5:29 of the third period, but Hellebuyck made a save on all seven shots he faced the rest of the game.

Red Wings defenseman Jonathan Ericsson missed the game because of an illness.

Goal of the game Laine's goal at 12:17 of the second period.

Save of the game Hellebuyck stopping Mantha at 15:38 of the third period.

Highlight of the game Byfuglien's goal at 6:25 of the second period.

They said it "Well, tonight, I thought we had too many unforced errors, mistakes on goals where I thought we didn't need to. Certainly, they got lots to do with it, they're a real good team. But I thought in the first, in particular, we were playing really good, we scored the first goal, and then we gave away two goals. We got to be way better defensively. We got to make teams earn it more than they did on those two goals." -- Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill

"It's imperative that you do get it up to that level. Every team now is playing for something. For them, they're trying to keep it tight (in the Eastern Conference standings). Obviously, they're trying to get better all of the time. We've been in that position. They played a good game. You have to be ready every night in this league because with the teams and the parity, if you take a night off or you're not ready to go, you're going to look silly." -- Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey

Need to know Zetterberg has 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in his past 13 games. … Hellebuyck is one victory from tying the Jets/Atlanta Thrashers franchise record of 34 wins, set by Kari Lehtonen in 2006-07.

What's next Red Wings: At the Minnesota Wild on Sunday (7 p.m. ET; NBCSN, NHL.TV) Jets: At the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday (7 p.m. ET; SN, FS-CR, NHL.TV)

Sportsnet.ca https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/winnipeg-jets-prospect-report-fallout-big-trade-deadline/

Winnipeg Jets Prospect Report: The fallout from a big trade deadline

By Rory Boylen

Winnipeg Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff finally did it: he made a deadline day deal.

The acquisition of Paul Stastny from the Blues came out of almost nowhere as St. Louis was itself in the hunt for a playoff spot when they made the move. But after finding themselves one point out of the wild card following back-to-back shutout losses, GM Doug Armstrong decided it was better to get assets back for the pending UFA rather than lose him for nothing.

The Jets picked up a playmaking centre for the “third line,” which puts him with Patrik Laine and Nik Ehlers. Stastny got two points in his first game against Nashville and he figures to be a key element in their push for the Stanley Cup.

The Jets didn’t have to give up anything risky in the deal. Sure, they moved their first-round pick but it should be a late one, and the NHL lineup is dotted with top picks already. Hilariously, the pick is conditional in that if it ends up in the top three, St. Louis will get Winnipeg’s 2019 pick instead. Not happening.

One prospect was moved in the deal, but he’s still a few years away from being NHL-ready and with a well-stocked cupboard of futures anyway, the Jets can easily deal with that loss. The team matched what was being done in Pittsburgh and Nashville around the deadline, and are still set up for long-term success. It was a big win for Cheveldayoff on deadline day.

Here’s a look at the team from the draft pick/prospect perspective post-trade deadline.

PROSPECTS OUT Erik Foley: After missing out on Derick Brassard a couple of days before the deadline, the Jets found another opportunity to pounce on an offensive centre when Stastny became available. On top of Winnipeg’s first-rounder the Blues got Foley, a six-foot left winger who is leading the NCAA’s Providence Friars in scoring. Should Foley not sign with the Blues by August of 2019 and become a free agent, the Blues will get Winnipeg’s 2020 fourth-rounder instead.

With forward prospects such as Kyle Connor and Jack Roslovic graduating to the NHL, and Mason Appleton putting together an impressive rookie season in the AHL, Foley is not a damaging loss for a Jets team in win-now mode. A third-rounder in 2015 — which is proving to be a very successful draft for Winnipeg — Foley has 34 points in 32 games for the third-place Friars in his junior season. Expect him to return to Providence for his senior year before making a call on his NHL future.

DRAFT PICK OUTLOOK With five first-round picks made over the past three drafts, and seven of the nine first-rounders selected by GM Kevin Cheveldayoff currently in the NHL lineup, this year’s first was an obvious piece to use in trade to bolster a Cup-contending lineup. But the Jets did well to not have to also move a top prospect in their system, such as 2017 first-rounder Kristian Vesalainen or Logan Stanley, who was the 18th-overall pick in 2016. The cupboard is relatively untouched, and because of that even next year’s first-rounder could be on the table in future deals.

Winnipeg still has 12 selections over the next two drafts, including second-rounders in both 2018 and 2019, which hold enough value on their own to acquire a solid depth piece for next season. Winnipeg is both strong at the NHL level and in the pipeline, so Chelevdayoff has plenty of room to manoeuvre over the summer and into next season to improve the NHL team again.

REASON FOR OPTIMISM A lot of attention has been paid to Canucks prospect Elias Pettersson, who is putting up an historical season in Sweden’s top league as a 19-year-old. But in Finland, Winnipeg prospect and 18-year-old Kristian Vesalainen, the 24th-overall pick last summer, is quietly putting together a monster season of his own.

Ranked 16th in Liiga scoring and fifth in goals, both tops among U20 players in the league, Vesalainen has taken a huge step from last year, so you’d excuse Jets fans for dreaming about a future line with the combination of Finns Vesalainen and Patrik Laine on the flanks. With such a young collection of forwards already in the NHL lineup, you have to wonder if Vesalainen will join them as early as next season. He’s mentioned it’s a goal for himself in 2018-19, though he still has work to do on the defensive side of the puck.

Detroit Free Press https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nhl/red-wings/2018/03/03/detroit-red-wings-irritated-weary- one-goal-losses-define-season/388625002/

Detroit Red Wings irritated, weary as one-goal losses define season

By Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — The one-goal games chafe as the Detroit Red Wings keep coming up short.

The Wings head into Sunday’s game at Minnesota with their playoff hopes dimmed by an 0-2 start on the trip. Good push in the first and third periods Friday at MTS Place couldn’t salvage the game, and the Wings ended up losing, 4-3 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. It was the 19th one- goal loss of the season.

“We’re shooting ourselves in the foot,” Niklas Kronwall said after a two-point night. “It’s been said before. It’s one of the reasons why we are where we are at. First period I thought we started off pretty good, came out with a lot of energy. Made some mistakes in our own zone that cost us.

“Then in the second, for whatever reason, we didn’t want the puck. We made it way too hard on ourselves. Kept turning the puck over. They’re a good team. You give them space and you give them the puck back all the time, they are going to make you pay. It’s tough when you dig yourself a hole like that.”

The Jets are one of the better teams in the NHL, one that got stronger by acquiring Paul Stastny at the trade deadline. Their defense corps is among the best in the league. Patrik Laine is a superstar and demonstrated it with a two-goal night. But the Wings outplayed the Jets the first 10 minutes, took the lead when Kronwall converted on a power play — only to lose it over the next minute as the Jets scored twice.

“They’re good players when they get their chances,” Henrik Zetterberg said. “Very strong on the puck, they’ve got a big reach. They’re good when they get the puck into our end. I thought we handled it pretty good for two periods but in the second we were shooting ourselves in the foot again and turning pucks over and letting them come back in the game. We’ve seen that before.

We can say that we were close and we battled hard in the third, but there’s no reason for us to be in that situation.”

More: Detroit Red Wings fight hard, but fall short at Winnipeg Jets, 4-3

More: Tyler Bertuzzi, Martin Frk eager to grab opportunities with Red Wings

Kronwall said the Wings, “have to look ourselves in the mirror and say what could we have done differently. In the first period, we were right there. And we can keep up with the best of them when we play like we should. But a few too many mistakes against a high-powered offense like this, it’s tough.”

The Wings don’t have the talent to overcome mistakes; their 2.58 goals-per-game average ranks in the bottom-five in the league.

“In the first in particular we were playing really good, we scored the first goal, and then we kind of gave away two goals,” coach Jeff Blashill said. “We have to make teams earn it more than we did on those two goals.

“You’re going to have some push back-and-forth especially against really good teams and we’re in a stretch of playing some really good teams. What you can’t do when the push comes is give up goals like that.”

Jimmy Howard said that, “it’s frustrating for all of us. We have to find ways to win games, not lose.”

Credit the Wings for continuing to show fight. They’ve come up a goal short in five of their last seven games, but they’ve had several good starts in a row even as a reward has been elusive.

“I’ve talked about it lots,” Blashill said. “Everybody gets knocked down. We got knocked down here again. You have to make sure you keep getting back up so we’re going to have to answer the bell again on Sunday.” https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nhl/red-wings/2018/03/02/detroit-red-wings-winnipeg- jets/388617002/

Detroit Red Wings fight hard, but fall short at Winnipeg Jets, 4-3

By Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — For as hard as the Detroit Red Wings played, the Winnipeg Jets proved too talented.

The Wings scored first and found ways to push back as the Jets built momentum, but it wasn’t enough to prevent a 4-3 loss on Friday at Bell MTS Place. Jimmy Howard made 38 saves to give teammates a chance.

Niklas Kronwall converted on a power play but sloppiness with the puck left the Wings trailing, 2-1, after the first period. Anthony Mantha used his 21st goal of the season to pull the Wings within a goal in the second period. Two second-period penalties hampered the Wings’ offensive efforts, and they trailed by two goals going into the third period. Trevor Daley cut it to a one-goal deficit with his eighth goal of the season.

Solid start undone in a minute The Wings did a good job getting in Winnipeg’s zone and getting shots on Connor Hellebuyck. Mantha took a couple whacks at a rebound by the left side of the net as the Wings ran up a 9-5 edge in shots. The Wings went on a power play at 11:57 and had success with a new looks. Frans Nielsen joined Henrik Zetterberg’s power play with Gustav Nyquist, Justin Abdelkader and Kronwall, who scored at 12:46 when he fired the puck through traffic, benefiting from Abdelkader screening Hellebuyck.

Winnipeg Jets' Mathieu Perreault (85) is tripped by Detroit Red Wings' Danny DeKeyser (65) as Dylan Larkin (71) looks for the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, March 2, 2018, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. JOHN WOODS, AP The momentum did not last long. Daley’s attempt at clearing the puck was intercepted along the wall by Tyler Myers even as Andreas Athanasiou was right there, and Myers fed Patrik Laine for his 32nd goal of the season, at 13:24. Ben Chiarot one-timed the puck for a 2-1 Jets lead at 13:50. The Wings limited the Jets to one shot during a power play and emerged from the first period with a 17-12 shot advantage.

Laine too good The Wings looked really good killing the Jets’ second power play, with Nielsen and Darren Helm creating an odd-man rush and Howard only having to make one save during the stretch. Terrific passing back at even stretch saw the Jets move ahead 3-1 when Dustin Byfuglien was in position by the left side of the net to finish a perfect pass from Josh Morrissey. The Wings stemmed the Jets’ momentum when Nyquist wheeled the puck around behind their net and found Mantha for a goal at 7:35 of the second period. Laine made it 4-2 at 12:17. The Jets had 19 shots in the second period, five of them during power plays.

Wings come close again Tyler Bertuzzi fired a stretch pass to Athanasiou early in the third period, but Hellebuyck stopped Athanasiou’s forehand shot. Daley scored his third goal in four games when he fired a wrist shot from the low slot at 5:29, making it a 4-3 game. Hellebuyck robbed Mantha on a wrist shot from the bottom of the right circle as the clock ticked towards 4 minutes remaining.

TSN.ca https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/video/laine-the-difference-maker-as-jets-bounce-back-from-slow- start~1337454 (VIDEO LINK)

Laine the difference-maker as Jets bounce back from slow start

The Jets didn't really find their game against the Red Wings until the second period, but when they did it was Patrik Laine and Connor Hellebuyck who led Winnipeg to the win. Dennis Beyak and Dave Tomlinson have more. https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/video/despite-differing-soccer-allegiances-ehlers-and-stastny-chemistry- comes-quickly~1338723

Despite differing soccer allegiances, Ehlers and Stastny chemistry comes quickly

Nikolaj Ehlers, Patrik Laine and Paul Stastny recorded two points each their first time together as a line, and as Ehlers tells us, it's easy to play and learn from a veteran like Stastny, but unfortunately Stastny is a Manchester United fan. Sara Orlesky has more.

TSN 1290 (AUDIO LINKS) https://www.tsn.ca/radio/winnipeg-1290/mckenzie-hart-trophy-race-tightest-in-years-1.1015827

McKenzie: Hart Trophy race tightest in years

TSN's Bob McKenzie joined the Big Show with a look around the NHL after the trade deadline including the details of how Paul Stastny became a Jet, the drama in Ottawa, as well as Blake Wheeler's chances of a Hart Trophy nomination in a tough field. https://www.tsn.ca/radio/winnipeg-1290/ferraro-jets-depth-is-enviable-1.1016361

Ferraro: Jets depth is enviable

TSN’s Ray Ferraro joins Andrew Paterson and Rick Ralph on the Afternoon Ride. They discuss the final ‘sprint’ towards the playoffs, the Jets acquisition of Paul Stastny, LA’s second half push, the stiff competition in the Western Conference, the current situation in Ottawa and Evander Kane’s success in San Jose after two games. https://www.tsn.ca/radio/winnipeg-1290/morrissey-jets-not-worried-about-lack-of-playoff- experience-1.1014767

Morrissey: Jets not worried about lack of playoff experience

Winnipeg Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey joined the Big Show to break down what went wrong in Tuesday's loss to Nashville, the trade of Paul Stastny to Winnipeg and why the team isn't worried about heading into the post-season with little experience at the NHL level. www.winnipegjets.com https://www.nhl.com/jets/news/laine-scores-twice-to-help-jets-to-win-over-red-wings/c- 296563880

Laine scores twice to help Jets to win over Red Wings Hellebuyck makes 30 saves; Laine extends point streak to seven by Mitchell Clinton @MitchellClinton / WinnipegJets.com

WINNIPEG - Losses are going to happen over the course of an 82-game schedule.

But as Josh Morrissey said Friday night, "you have to cut it off at one."

That's exactly what the Winnipeg Jets did, as they held off the Detroit Red Wings by a score of 4-3, earning a split of the two-game home stand.

After the tough loss to Nashville on Tuesday, this was an important win.

"I thought we did a lot of good things in the game against Nashville. We probably played a better game than we did tonight, even though we got the win," said Josh Morrissey, who had two assists in the victory.

"You look at Detroit, they played hard tonight. They did a lot of the things that we do to teams in the first period and throughout the game. They have a lot of speed, they really pressured us, they had good sticks. It just seemed like we never had a clean play."

Patrik Laine scored twice, while Dustin Byfuglien and Ben Chiarot added singles, to help the Jets move to 38-17-9.

"I think I've just started to skate more. I've tried to work hard and play as simple as I can. I think that's the biggest reason why I'm getting rewarded," said Laine, who extended his point streak to seven games with his two goals.

"It's always nice to finish the home stand with a win. It was a huge win. We needed that."

After Niklas Kronwall scored his third of the season on a Detroit power play to open the scoring, the Jets responded in a big way.

Laine took advantage of a great pinch from Tyler Myers on the right side boards, and circled back to the middle of the ice, cutting through Dylan Larkin and Tyler Bertuzzi, before snapping home his 32nd goal of the season past Jimmy Howard's glove.

Just 26 seconds later, Chiarot hammered a one-timer off a pass from Bryan Little.

It was Chiarot's first of the season, and it put the Jets up 2-1.

After a Jets power play expired in the second, Winnipeg kept Detroit hemmed in their zone for another 1:12 - fitting in almost a full line change in the process. With tired Red Wings on the ice, and constant puck movement, Morrissey sent a beautiful seam pass from the right point, to the left wing back door side, where Byfuglien buried his fifth of the season, putting the Jets up 3-1.

"They were gassed. You could see that the puck would go to the corner, and they were pretty straight legged. That's where you just want to keep buzzing. The forwards did a great job getting pucks back," said Morrissey.

"Playing with Buff, we've played together enough - especially last year in practice and stuff like that - there is a little bit of chemistry there offensively. He can see those areas, and go to those places. He found a great spot and I just tried to put it on his tape, and he made a great goal."

But just over a minute later, Anthony Mantha got the Red Wings back within one. The 23-year- old found open space in front of Hellebuyck, and when Gustav Nyquist sent a pass in front from below the goal line, Mantha capitalized.

Morrissey's passing skill would set up another Jets goal with 7:43 remaining in the middle frame. His pass from the defensive zone sent in Ehlers into the Detroit zone with speed, and the Denmark native slipped a pass through Kronwall's legs to Laine, who snapped home his second of the game, this time over the blocker of Howard.

The Jets outshot Detroit 19-5 in the middle frame.

"We have to give them some credit in that first, they were really quick. There wasn't a lot of room to make plays," said head coach Paul Maurice.

"I thought we made a real good adjustment in the second. Just a mental adjustment in how the game was going to be played, and the speed we needed to get to. We left a lot of offence there on some missed shots and some block shots.

"Then in the third, you have a game that's going to tighten up when they scored."

Detroit came out quickly in that third period, and after Hellebuyck made stops on both Nyquist and Andreas Athanasiou in the opening minutes, Trevor Daley would take advantage of sustained pressure in the Jets zone, and snap home his eighth of the season to pull the Red Wings within one.

But Detroit couldn't find the equalizer, as Hellebuyck turned away the other 10 shots the visitors had in the final period.

The 24-year-old goaltender is now 9-1-3 after allowing four or more goals in his previous start.

"It means a lot. It's what I'm there for. It's my job," said Hellebuyck, who made 30 saves overall.

"We're going to dominate for a period, and teams don't go away. They're going to grind and they're going to have their push. I'm excited to get there and work on the process. Today was a good learning curve for me."

Next up for the Jets is a six-game road trip that begins Sunday night against the Carolina Hurricanes. https://www.nhl.com/jets/video/postgame--josh-morrissey/t-277437442/c-58381703

POSTGAME | Josh Morrissey

Josh Morrissey talks about his pass on the Byfuglien goal, the win over the Red Wings as a whole and more https://www.nhl.com/jets/video/postgame--connor-hellebuyck/t-277437442/c-58381403

POSTGAME | Connor Hellebuyck

Connor Hellebuyck on his bounceback performance, making 30 saves in a 4-3 win over the Red Wings