Winnipeg Free Press https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/jets/narrow-escape-for-jets-kulikov- 471034943.html Narrow escape for Jets' Kulikov Moose's Poolman called up as insurance against Ducks By: Mike McIntyre ANAHEIM, Calif. — Tomas Hertl escaped suspension and Dmitry Kulikov may have escaped a serious injury. The Winnipeg Jets defenceman is listed as "possible" for tonight’s game in Anaheim, just 48 hours after he was crushed from behind by Hertl in San Jose. The NHL department of player safety opted to take no action against the San Jose forward beyond the five-minute boarding major and game misconduct he received. Kulikov was cut on the play in the first period and did not return. He was held out of Wednesday’s practice as a precaution. "Dmitry had a good day, so he’ll go out for the morning skate and we’ll just make sure he’s trending in the right direction," Jets head coach Paul Maurice said. Defenceman Toby Enstrom was also missing from the skate, and Maurice said he is "probable" to play tonight against the Ducks. The Jets recalled Tucker Poolman from the Manitoba Moose to serve as insurance in case Kulikov and Enstrom are unable to play. Ben Chiarot would likely be the first option to step in and play if another defnceman was required. "I haven’t heard anything and I don’t know anything yet. I just always stay ready, it’s kind of my job," Chiarot said. Chiarot has appeared in 24 games this season and was a healthy scratch for the other 25. "I don’t think you ever want to embrace being out of the lineup. You don’t know that when you sign your contract. You don’t know that’s the role you are going to be in. But that’s how things played out this year and that’s where I’m at," Chiarot said. "You’re getting paid to do your job, so you just do it to the best of your ability." Chiarot said getting back up to speed, literally, is the toughest part of coming in and out of the lineup. "Any time you’re not playing for any amount of time and everybody else is playing, the speed of the league picks up. It’s more about your personal rhythm and making plays and just picking that back up every time," he said. "It’s kind of like restarting your season almost. It’s tough and it’s not the most fun job, but it’s the role I’m in right now and I’ve got to do the best with it." Jets centre Adam Lowry will be held out of action until after the all-star game, missing his eighth straight game tonight. He had been hopeful to return to action much sooner, but a nagging upper-body injury isn’t healing fast enough. Lowry continued to wear a yellow non-contact jersey during Wednesday’s practice, although he did begin to participate in some battle drills. Winnipeg enjoys a four-day hiatus following tonight’s game, returning to action Tuesday at home against the league-leading Tampa Bay Lightning. Jets forward Joel Armia has shown plenty of offensive flash during this season, and his nine goals are just off his career-best of 10 set last year in 57 games. Armia has already exceeded his highest previous point total of 19, also set last year, with 20 so far this year in 46 games. Maurice was asked Wednesday if he’s been tempted to move Armia further up the lineup, perhaps on the top line with Blake Wheeler and Patrik Laine, given of Kyle Connor’s recent struggles. "It’s not about a depth chart in terms of your lines. Who’s playing the best gets moved up the depth chart. It’s roles and what we’re asking them to do," Maurice said. To hear the Jets’ head coach explain it, moving Armia up might actually do more harm than good — considering how valuable he is right now on the third line, currently in more of a shutdown role with Andrew Copp and Brandon Tanev while Lowry is out of the lineup. "I’m not going to give Joel a more offensive opportunity as a payment for really good play and lose what’s more important to the Winnipeg Jets, and that’s winning hockey games," Maurice said. "Joel’s been great. We need him there. We need Joel doing what he’s doing right now." Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and captain Blake Wheeler won’t get the same rest as their teammates this week, instead heading from California to Florida to represent the Jets in the all- star game. While Maurice is happy that they’re being rewarded for their strong play, he admits to wishing they weren’t going. "I completely wish they wouldn’t. But two guys who really deserve to go, and I hope they have a great time," Maurice said. Jack Roslovic’s recall to the Winnipeg Jets means he’ll be a no-show at the upcoming American Hockey League all-star game. The league announced Wednesday that Manitoba Moose rookie forward Mason Appleton will take Roslovic’s place. "Yeah, really happy for him. He deserved it. He’s playing well and he earned that. So it’s good for him. As far as it goes for me, I want to be in the NHL as long as I can. If that is what it takes, then you have to sacrifice some things," Roslovic said. Appleton currently leads the Moose in scoring with 12 goals and 24 assists in 42 games. Roslovic, with 15 goals and 20 assists in 32 games, is right behind him. https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/jets/roslovics-time-to-shine-with-jets-has- arrived-471010613.html Roslovic's time to shine with Jets has arrived By: Mike McIntyre ANAHEIM, Calif. — Jack Roslovic admits he’s still waiting for his first big "wow" moment to come on a National Hockey League rink. He may be closer than ever to reaching that pinnacle thanks to an intriguing lineup change by Winnipeg Jets head coach Paul Maurice. Roslovic will skate on his team’s top line tonight as the Winnipeg Jets (29-13-7) take on the Anaheim Ducks (23-17-9) and try to go into the all-star break with a fourth-straight win. With Blake Wheeler and Patrik Laine at his side, Roslovic is certainly being given every opportunity to shine. "You know, I try to judge my games off of chances for versus chances against. It’s a big part of the game. The chances are coming, and that’s a good thing. But I wanna get one here soon," Roslovic said following Wednesday’s practice at Honda Center. Although the 20-year-old rookie has yet to register a point in seven NHL games this season, he’s had plenty of good looks in recent games. Roslovic was bumped up during Tuesday’s 5-4 overtime victory in San Jose, and the new-look trio will remain intact at least for now. "You learn a lot from those guys. You just gotta keep your game simple, to be honest. With Wheels and Patty there, it’s going to be a good game," said Roslovic. "We’re going to go up against their top line. So just battle, keep it simple and don’t try to force plays. You don’t want to force plays to look like a hero. Just do the right thing." Of course, his promotion means good friend Kyle Connor took the elevator all the way down to the fourth line to play with Matt Hendricks and Marko Dano. Connor has points in just two of his past nine games (two goals, two assists), and just one helper over his past five contests. And he’s also made a handful of potentially costly mistakes in terms of giveaways, positioning and coverage. "Coach’s decision. I just play wherever I play," Connor, 21, said Wednesday when asked about the move. With 15 goals and 14 assists this season, Connor is still very much a big part of the team. But Maurice said he felt a switch between the young wingers was necessary, especially with some things he saw in the game against the Sharks. "I think that line with Kyle and Patty (and Wheeler), it stopped moving particularly well. I think Jack’s done some really good things with his speed, and when he went there they started to get some offensive-zone time, which they’d kinda gotten away from. Like they’d run a bunch of games where they didn’t really spend very much time in the offensive zone," said Maurice. That’s not to say Roslovic was a perfect fit, as Maurice said there is still plenty of room for improvement and nothing is set in stone. "I thought, for the most part, and there were some instances you can tell me I’m wrong, the stuff Jack was doing well to get pucks out, and there’s some areas he can get better at that, you’re able to apply that in the offensive zone as well to keep pucks in," said Maurice. Connor somewhat bristled at the notion his play had dipped. "It’s fine, I’m playing good," was his brief response. He said he’ll keep bringing speed and energy to whatever line he’s playing on. Maurice said managing emotions, especially with young players, is an important part of his job.