Winnipeg Free Press https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/jets/the-winning-formula-on-and-off-the-ice- 448397353.html

The winning formula on and off the ice Victory a matter of chemistry for talented young Jets

By: Jeff Hamilton

When Patrik Laine and Nikolaj Ehlers parted ways this past summer, they both knew it wouldn’t be long before they were back talking again. As the off-season rolled on, the number of Snapchats sent to one another also climbed. The updates were sporadic but followed a common trend, with the subject matter being mostly anything but hockey.

"More just, ‘Hey, what’s going on?" Ehlers said following Wednesday’s skate at Bell MTS Iceplex. "Or, ‘What kind of car do you have?’"

The Winnipeg Jets forwards clicked almost instantly in their first season together. Laine, a rookie after being selected second in the 2016 NHL Draft, and Ehlers, who was in just his second year, often worked closely with each other, perfecting small details of the game. Outside the rink they battled in front of the TV playing video games.

While their friendship blossomed off the ice, so, too, did their play on it. Laine scored a team- high 36 goals for the Jets, while Ehlers collected career highs in goals (25), assists (39) and points (64). Though they only played roughly 30 games on a line together, they both credit the kind of relationship they were able to build together — along with a number of their other friendships on the team — for their success.

"We all have some good chemistry together on and off the ice, so it doesn’t really matter who you play with, you still have that chemistry," Ehlers said. "It’s not that big of a change to switch lines — not on this team."

Chemistry is crucial for every team, but it’s even more important for a team as young as the Jets. Winnipeg had 20 players at or under the age of 25 play at least one game last season, with many in their first or second year in the league. While the Jets had some success in the offensive zone — finishing tied for sixth in the NHL last year with 249 goals — a lack of communication at the other end led to an average of 3.11 goals against per game (fourth worst in the NHL).

The Jets are expected to compete for a playoff spot this season after signing a number of free agents. They inked goalie Steve Mason for two years and shored up the left side of the defence by signing Dmitry Kulikov to a three-year deal. But while the additions were crucial to building a winner, making sure things gel quickly will be paramount in fulfilling any post-season aspirations.

On Wednesday, head coach Paul Maurice was asked what, if anything, his players or coaching staff could do to help improve that chemistry.

"More game-situation drills, which is really what we’ve tried to do here right from (the start of training) camp," the Jets coach said. "Chemistry is that anticipation of what the other player is going to do. So the more time you spend together, the more you learn to anticipate.

"Then if their skill sets don’t match and they’re not complementary, then there’s no chemistry there. They can be two really good players that just don’t fit by the style of their game."

Maurice has spent training camp trying to discover what fits best, including tinkering with line combinations at forward and pairings on defence. He said the goal is to find pairs on offence that work well together — Blake Wheeler and Mark Schiefele, Laine and Bryan Little, as examples — and from there, envision the different looks the lineup could take under varying circumstances. "It’s more important to have that chemistry on defence," Maurice said. "The communication, how a guy moves, whether he’s going to the corner for the puck or to the front of that net… that’s really important."

● ● ●

Forward Nic Petan has spent the past two seasons trying to create a role for himself with the Jets, playing the equivalent of one full season (80 games) since cracking the opening-day roster in 2015. He’s not alone, as forwards Andrew Copp, Marko Dano, and Brandon Tanev have all played notable time with the Jets but are fighting for more. Others, including Brendan Lemieux, J.C. Lipon and Kyle Connor, are looking for their first real taste of NHL life.

Petan knows if he’s going to earn a permanent spot with the Jets, it will be because he can complement a line and not because of his individual skill set.

"Chemistry is going to be the first thing that takes you to playoffs," he said. "If you’re just mixing in guys, there’s less of a chance of that. Where we’re at right now, the room is super close this year already. Chemistry off the ice with guys, chemistry on the ice — we are on the right path."

It took a few years for defenceman Josh Morrissey to find his place. It wasn’t until last season, three years after he was drafted as the 13th-overall pick, that he skyrocketed up the depth chart after being nurtured by Dustin Byfuglien.

"Competing alongside someone in practice or in a game, I think that’s when you really feel that bond where you know that guy has your back and he’s working with you and try to get the win," Morrissey said. "Then, outside the rink everyone talks about Patty (Laine) and Nikky (Ehlers) playing video games and stuff like that. We’re all just guys away from the rink where we hang out and that’s where a lot of those bonds are really made." https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/jets-score-comeback-win-over-sens-448391933.html

Jets score comeback win over Sens

By: Mike McIntyre

The spotlight was shining bright, with time running out on their chances to crack the roster of the Winnipeg Jets. By the end of the night, a pair of bubble players gave their coach plenty to ponder in a 5-3 victory over the . Marko Dano and Nic Petan teamed up to score a beautiful game-winning goal late in the final frame.

"Tonight was a good game, a lot of open ice. We capitalized on the loose pucks that we got," said Petan, who was credited with a first period power play goal before setting up linemate Dano with a sweet saucer pass to break the deadlock.

Winnipeg has just one pre-season game left, and they're expected to bring something close to their final team for the quick trip to Calgary on Saturday. There's not enough room on the team for Dano, Petan, Kyle Connor, Andrew Copp, Brandon Tanev, Brendan Lemieux and J.C. Lipon, who all dressed Wednesday. It's likely three, or possibly four, are destined for the Manitoba Moose barring injury. "I got a pretty good handle on the way I think it’s going to look," Maurice said following the win without tipping his hand.

Wednesday provided a good test as Ottawa brought an experienced lineup to town. Bobby Ryan opened the scoring just three minutes into the game, somehow bouncing a shot on the ice and past Connor Hellebuyck. It was definitely one the young netminder would like back.Petan tied it up late in the first, showing off a great set of hands with an apparent tip of a Josh Morrissey point shot during a power play. Dano provided a nice screen on the play. Petan was a buzzsaw in the first period with two other quality chances to score. The first one, a tip, was stopped by Ottawa goalie Mike Condon. The second was fired over the net.

Connor had a tough shift midway through the second, getting his pocket picked by Ottawa's Alex Formenton just outside his own blue-line. Formenton skated in alone and beat Hellebuyck to put the Senators up 2-1.Connor, Petan and Dano got caught running around in their end on an extended shift and delayed penalty later in the frame. Ottawa made them pay, as Kyle Turris finished off a sweet passing play to make it 3-1. That line had been on the ice for all three Ottawa goals.

Connor showed off his puck-handling skills late in the second with the Jets on the power play, drawing a slashing penalty that put his team on a two-man advantage. Dustin Byfuglien quickly capitalized as his blast found the back of the net just before the period expired.

Bryan Little tied it up midway through the third with the Jets once again enjoying a man advantage. Dano then set-up the winning goal with an incredible solo effort, stripping Ottawa of the puck in his own end, pushing it up to Petan, jumping into the rush and then burying the return saucer feed."Honestly, I didn’t think (Dano) was going to grab that puck there. It was kind of feathering through the blue line there, he got it with one hand and tipped it over to me. I had it cocked, I (was) ready to shoot. The D-man kind of slid on the ice over to me, so I just made the pass," Petan said of the highlight-reel play.

"Just do the things right and just be good in the practices, play hard in the game and earn a spot," Dano said following the game of his mindset.

Little sealed the win with an empty-net goal. Winnipeg's three power play goals Wednesday give them 12 through their six pre-season games. Nikolaj Ehlers and Dustin Byfuglien both had a pair of assists. Winnipeg only took two minor penalties Wednesday, but Copp and Tanev paired up to help kill both.

"Those power play goals were important, but that penalty kill was more important," Maurice said. "There are guys here that are good players. There’s an offensive group kinda competing with each other. Then there’s a group that’s out here to kill penalties and do some of the grinding work. So they had a good impact too.

"On the blue-line, all eyes were on Tucker Poolman. He was paired with Tyler Myers and moved to the left side as a test. Poolman, 24, spent much of his three years at the University of North Dakota playing on both sides, but Maurice wanted to see how it might adapt to the pro game.

Poolman didn't look out of place, making a great stick-check on his first shift of the game to break up an Ottawa offensive rush. He ended up playing more than 14 minutes on the night, registering three shots and going even on the plus-minus.

"I thought he was effective. I don’t think it was necessarily easy over there with the adjustment. But very effective," said Maurice.

Hellebuyck went the distance, allowing three goals on 18 shots. Maurice said he particularly liked Winnipeg's defensive game in limiting Ottawa.

The Jets are now 2-3-1 on the pre-season. Ottawa falls to 3-2-0.

Winnipeg Sun http://www.winnipegsun.com/2017/09/27/ehlers-more-than-high-speed-offence

Ehlers more than high-speed offence Maurice won’t rule out Poolman as seventh defenceman ... No fuss, no muss over birth of Perreault’s twins

BY PAUL FRIESEN, WINNIPEG SUN

His end-to-end rushes can be breathtaking, his ability to create breakaways unmatched on his team.

But the Winnipeg Jets’ Nikolaj Ehlers needs to be more than a high-speed, one-dimensional offensive player, and he appears to have chased that idea down in his own mind going into his third NHL season.

“It’s something I’ve been working on for a very long time,” Ehlers said Wednesday. “You’ve just got to put your mind to it, just go out and do it. You might lose some of those breakaways that I got in my first year.

“But I’ve got to get better defensively.”

On first blush, Ehlers improved dramatically from his first season to his second, increasing his goal total from 15 to 25 and his points from 38 to 64 last year.

But if any one player can be a microcosm of the team’s season, it was Ehlers.

The Jets put the puck in the opposition net more than enough times, but had loads of trouble keeping it out of their own.

Changing that has been Job 1 in training camp.

“We all knew we had to change,” Ehlers said. “We were scoring a lot of goals. We’re going to do that again this year. But if we can step up on our defensive game we’re giving ourselves a pretty good chance.”

Whether gifted offensive players like Ehlers, Patrik Laine and Mark Scheifele can become dependable two-way players will go a long way to determining this team’s fate.

Sacrificing some personal statistics to be in good defensive position is not an easily embraceable concept, for many.

After all, big stats lead to bigger contracts, and when you’re still young and striving for your first mega-deal, that’s a powerful motivator.

“You play as a team,” Ehlers said. “It’s not bad getting some points once in a while. But if you just play for yourself.... you’re not going to make the playoffs.”

Head coach Paul Maurice this week singled out the 21-year-old Dane as having surprised him with his growth, acknowledging the lack of defensive awareness from Ehlers’ line had him “a bit nervous” going into training camp.

Maurice has been encouraged by what he’s seen through camp: Ehlers stopping and starting in his own zone, thinking defence, instead of always circling, ready to bolt for the next offensive break.

“It’s always nice to hear that,” Ehlers said of the validation from his coach. “I’m still not where I want to be. But I can get there.”

Besides, he said, being in alone on goal doesn’t always seem to work out.

“My first year I had a lot of breakaways, but it doesn’t really matter,” Ehlers said. “Because I wouldn’t score on them.”

THE SEVENTH D-MAN? Another reason not to pencil defenceman Tucker Poolman into the Manitoba Moose lineup emerged, Wednesday.

Maurice said he wouldn’t be averse to having the 24-year-old rookie start the season in the press box as the Jets’ seventh defenceman.

“We have to look at keeping our best seven,” the coach said. “I wouldn’t rule it out. I do believe he’s got to play. It is slightly different. He’s a smart, on-ice player. He’s not processing an awful lot of things out there. He’s figured a lot of them already.

“At 24... that’s a big difference between a 19-year-old defenceman coming in.”

The general consensus coming into camp was Poolman would start the season in the AHL and get lots of ice time.

But his steady play in the pre-season is giving pause to that plan.

Maurice was going to take a good look at Poolman playing his off side, the left, against Ottawa, Wednesday.

If he can do that seamlessly, his chances of cracking the Jets roster are even better, and not just because on the right side he’s behind Jacob Trouba, Dustin Byfuglien and Tyler Myers.

“If you can get a D that can switch both ways and is comfortable with it, it’s really helpful,” Maurice said. “It makes running the bench a lot easier.”

Especially if there’s an in-game injury.

One danger of the switch would be messing with a young player’s confidence.

“If he’d been just average, we’d leave him in his natural side and not want to over-complicate this,” Maurice said. “But he’s been strong on his right side. We’re confident that if he had a tough night on his off side, that shouldn’t affect him.”

TWO QUICK ONES Mathieu Perreault’s family went from three to five in a heartbeat.

Perreault was pulled from the lineup for Monday’s pre-season game against Calgary when he had to rush his wife to the St. Boniface Hospital, where she gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl, Monday afternoon.

“We went in at 4, and at 5:30 we had two babies,” Perreault said. “We didn’t have time for anything. We barely made it to the hospital. And then it was like, ‘Let’s go — push.’ And then one came out, two came out.

“My wife did great. She had them naturally, no C-section, no drugs, nothing. It went very quick. It was awesome.”

Newborns Penelope, less than four pounds, and Hector, six pounds, were born minutes apart, and are the couple’s second and third children.

“To go from one (child) under two to three under two — it’s going to be a busy house,” the 29- year-old said. “But we’re up for the challenge. My mom’s here, now, and we’ll have people come in to help so I can at least get a little sleep on game days.”

ROSTER MOVE The Jets got down to 30 players — 19 forwards, eight defencemen, three goalies — by sending defenceman Jan Kostalek to the AHL’s Manitoba Moose, Wednesday. http://www.winnipegsun.com/2017/09/28/jets-power-play-stays-hot

Jets power play stays hot

BY KEN WIEBE, WINNIPEG SUN

WINNIPEG - Slowly but surely, the decisions are becoming clearer for the Winnipeg Jets as time to leave a final impression is running out.

The Jets rallied for a 5-3 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday at Bell MTS Place and are down to one remaining final audition before the regular season begins on October 4 against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

After improving to 2-3-0-1, the Jets round out the pre-season on Saturday against the Calgary Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

“I’ve got a pretty good handle on the way I think it’s going to look,” said Jets head coach Paul Maurice, who has 30 players left in training camp for the 23 available spots. “Those power-play goals were important, but that penalty kill was more important. There are guys here that are good players. There’s an offensive group kind of competing with each other. Then there’s a group that’s out here to kill penalties and do some of the grinding work. So they had a good impact too.”

The Jets gave the night off for three of their top forwards, as Mark Scheifele, Blake Wheeler and Patrik Laine got a breather after combining for 12 points on Monday.

In what has become a recurring theme, the Jets’ power play was dangerous, striking three more times in seven opportunities.

That gives the Jets 12 power-play goals out of the 15 they’ve scored during the pre-season.

“We’re not running at 40% during the regular season. Nobody does,” said Maurice. “But there’s lots of confidence there and lots of good players there.”

In the battle for jobs up front, Nic Petan was given credit for a redirection goal, though even he wasn’t sure actually tipped it home.

“I don’t know if that’s correct, but I’ll take it if they want to give it to me,” said Petan, who added an assist. “I don’t think I got it. But I thought the chances were there.

“Tonight really wasn’t about my offensive ability. It was about the defence. Besides a lucky goal in the first and the 6-on-5 goal, our whole team played a good defensive game.”

With the game tied 3-3 late in the third, Petan delivered a perfect saucer pass to Marko Dano for the game-winner.

It was the first point of the pre-season for Dano, who hadn’t been able to get much going offensively but showed soft hands in being able to get his shot off quickly.

“Just do the things right,” said Dano, when asked about his mentality going into training camp. “Be good in the practices, play hard in the game and earn a spot.”

Maurice liked what he saw from Dano.

“He got better as the game went on,” said Maurice. “We’re looking for strength out of him along the walls, being able to control the puck and drive the game. He’s a powerful man and he’s got a good set of hands. Speed is something that we’re constantly looking to improve so we can get to those places a little faster and a little quicker.”

It was an up-and-down affair for second-year pro Kyle Connor, who was able to generate several quality scoring chances but unable to convert any of them.

Connor was also guilty of having his pocket picked on the Senators third goal, losing a puck battle in the neutral zone before Alex Formenton walked in alone and buried his chance.

Bobby Ryan and Kyle Turris had the other goals for the Senators.

Bryan Little had a pair of goals for the Jets, including the equalizer in the third period and the empty-netter with 4.5 seconds to go in regulation.

“It’s always good to get the confidence going in pre-season and going into the first game feeling good,” said Little.

“It was a really good effort from the whole team. They had some good guys and skilled forwards in the lineup and we did a really good job of taking the game to them for the most part.”

THREE STARS

1. Nikolaj Ehlers (Jets) The winger used his speed to create scoring chances and draw penalties while chipping in two assists.

2. Dustin Byfuglien (Jets) The blue-liner had a power-play goal and had a pair of helpers while logging 23:17 of ice time.

3. Bryan Little (Jets) Was around the puck all night before getting rewarded with two goals in the third period.

Global Winnipeg https://globalnews.ca/news/3773197/bryan-little-scores-twice-as-winnipeg-jets-come-back-for- second-straight-pre-season-triumph/

Bryan Little scores twice as Winnipeg Jets come back for second straight pre- season triumph

By Russ Hobson Sports Anchor/Reporter

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Jets struck for three goals in the third period as they rallied for their second straight victory of the pre-season.

The Jets defeated the Ottawa Senators 5-3 on Wednesday at Bell MTS Place. Dustin Byfuglien had a goal and two assists while Bryan Little scored a pair of goals in the exhibition win.

“It’s always good to get the confidence going in pre-season and going to the first game feeling good.” Little said.

“I thought it was a really good effort from the whole team though. They had some good guys in the lineup and some skilled forwards in the lineup and I thought we did a really good job of just taking the game to them.”

The Jets scored three more goals on the powerplay to finish the night 3-for-7 with the man advantage. The Jets have scored 15 goals in their six pre-season games with 12 of them coming on the man advantage.

“Since the second powerplay didn’t get much time last game it was fun to be out there again.” Nikolaj Ehlers said. “And it’s something we’ve wanted to do better in the past two years and it feels good right now, but we got to keep working on it.” Ehlers recorded a couple of assists while Nic Petan and Marko Dano also scored for the Jets in the victory. The Jets’ penalty kill was perfect for the night killing off both the Senators’ opportunities.

“There’s an offensive group kinda of competing with each other and then there’s a group that’s out here to kill penalties and do some of the grinding work so they had a good impact too.” head coach Paul Maurice said. “Those powerplay goals were important but that penalty kill was more important. That keeps it at three and it’s the deciding factor in being able to do that.”

Connor Hellebuyck stopped 15 of the 18 shots he faced for his first pre-season win. Bobby Ryan, Alex Formenton and Kyle Turris scored the goals for the Sens while Mike Condon made 29 saves.

The Sens struck for the game’s first goal just 2:33 into the hockey game. From along the boards, Ryan threw a harmless looking shot towards the net. But his shot deflected off Jets forward Marko Dano and in behind Hellebuyck. Ryan’s first goal of the pre-season was unassisted and the Senators were out in front.

The Jets tied it up with just 11.5 seconds left in the opening period. Byfuglien sent it back to the blueline for Josh Morrissey and he unloaded a one-timer that was re-directed in by Petan. It was Petan’s first tally of the pre-season and it was 1-1 through one period of play.

Winnipeg outshot Ottawa 14-5 in the period.

Midway through the second stanza the Sens went back on top. Kyle Connor turned the puck over in the neutral zone and Formenton waltzed in on the breakaway. He roofed it behind Hellebuyck. The goal was unassisted and Ottawa had a 2-1 lead.

With just over three minutes remaining in the middle period the Senators tacked on another goal. Mark Stone made a beautiful pass to a wide open Turris and he had the gaping cage to make the deposit. Zack Smith drew the other helper and it was a 3-1 Ottawa lead.

For the second straight period the Jets would score in the dying seconds. Just nine seconds into a powerplay and with just 10 seconds left in the frame, Byfuglien blasted the shot past Condon. Ehlers and Mathieu Perreault had the assists on Byfuglien’s second goal of the pre-season. The Jets trailed by a goal after 40 minutes of play after having a 12-7 advantage in shots in the period.

The Jets powerplay connected for the third time midway through the final frame. Cruising through the slot Little picked the top corner for his first exhibition goal. Byfuglien and Ehlers had the assists on the powerplay marker and it was 3-3.

With under seven minutes to go Petan blocked the shot in his own end and raced in on a 2-on-1 with Dano. Petan sent it across to Dano and he flipped it into the top shelf for the go ahead goal. It turned out to be the game winner in a 5-3 Jets’ victory as Little scored into the empty net with just five seconds remaining.

The entire top line for the Jets sat out with Blake Wheeler, Patrik Laine and Mark Scheifele all scratched.

The Jets will close out their pre-season schedule on Saturday in Calgary. The season opener is set for Wednesday when the Jets play host to the Toronto Maple Leafs at Bell MTS Place.

Ottawa Citizen http://ottawacitizen.com/sports/hockey/nhl/senatorsextra/senators-backup-goalie-mike-condon- shines-in-preseason-loss-to-jets

Senators backup goalie Mike Condon shines in preseason loss to Jets

BY DON BRENNAN

WINNIPEG — Mike Condon’s final preseason tuneup was a solid one.

And it would have been even better had he received some help.

Clearly feeling the results of practising in Ottawa before flying to Manitoba to play on the same night, the Senators were careless and sloppy in a 5-3 loss to the Winnipeg Jets at Bell MTS Place on Wednesday. That left the Senators’ preseason record at 3-2 with just a single game on the docket before the 2017-18 campaign commences.

The final exhibition, in Montreal on Saturday, will belong to No. 1 Craig Anderson.

Against the Jets, Condon stopped 13 of 14 shots in the first period and 11 of 12 in the second to keep his team in the game. It was a fine rebound from the seven goals he surrendered during less than a half game of work in P.E.I. that left Condon with a 6.86 goals-against average and .805 save percentage in two preseason appearances.

“I guess it’s an early test of adversity in the preseason, if there is such a thing,” said Condon. “Whenever you have an outing like I did the day before, it’s always good to get back in there as quick as possible. I felt very comfortable. It’s just fighting through screens and tonight was difficult.”

While Condon faced a total of 33 shots by the Jets, the Senators took advantage of Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who was tested just 18 times.

“It’s a tough day, it’s a long day in the plane and as the goalie you kind of expect that to happen,” said Condon. “It’s the preseason, it’s OK if the guys are a little sluggish. That means you get a lot more work.”

Scoring the Ottawa goals were Bobby Ryan, Alex Formenton and Kyle Turris.

Nic Petan, Dustin Byfuglien and Bryan Little scored power-play goals for the Jets before Marko Dano notched the winner off a 2-on-1, with only Thomas Chabot back, at the 13:12 mark of the third. Little added an empty-netter with five seconds to play and Condon on the bench for an extra attacker.

“I thought five-on-five the guys did a great job,” said Condon. “I guess we have some work to do on the penalty kill, myself included. We will be working on fighting through screens and getting better vantage points. Lot of lessons to be learned here tonight.”

While the Senators dressed only three rookies for the game, most conspicuous by their absence from the Jets lineup were Patrik Laine, Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler, arguably their three best forwards.

The Senators had a 3-1 lead in the second period on goals by the 18-year old Formenton, his first as an NHLer, and Turris.

Both had plenty of appeal.

Formenton picked the pocket of Jets first-rounder Kyle Connor in the neutral zone, then broke in alone on Hellebuyck, beating him with a flick of the wrists that sent the puck to the top corner, stick side.

“The puck was open, so obviously you want to jump on that opportunity,” said Formenton. “It turned out well.

“It was definitely something special, to get the first one out of the way. But it would have been nice to get a win for the team.”

Head coach Guy Boucher said Formenton and fellow rookie Logan Brown would be in the lineup against Montreal. Chabot is also expected to play at the Bell Centre.

“I knew we’d come out of that plane ride a little stiff, and that’s what it looked like,” said Boucher, who didn’t like the way his team “managed” the puck. “We took the lead and we didn’t deserve the lead, so it’s not like we faded away.

“We didn’t get the shots we should have had. We were trying to make pretty plays, lots of turnovers on zone entries, turnovers in the offensive zone, turnovers in the ‘D’ zone. We kept coming back on ourselves, going back basically into their pressure. So a lot of stuff that we don’t want.”

Turris notched his first nine minutes later, taking an uncanny cross-slot pass from Mark Stone that left him with a wide-open net.

Byfuglien drove in a one-timer from the point with 10 seconds remaining in the second period and Tom Pyatt in the box to cut into the Senators’ lead, then Little tied the game 8:33 into the third with a quick snapper and Alex Burrows in the penalty box at the 8:33 mark.

The Senators were pressing in the offensive zone when Petan and Dano turned the tide and broke down ice to get the winner.

Trying to get back to playing the right way after losing 8-1 to New Jersey two nights earlier, the Senators were outshot 14-5 in the first period. Condon made four saves before they managed their first shot on goal. When Ryan did send the first puck toward Hellebuyck, it was like the thing had eyes. The shot, an easy one from the left-wing boards, missed the stick of Jean- Gabriel Pageau and the defenceman he was engaged with in front of the net, then somehow snuck by Hellebuyck as well.

It was the first goal of the preseason for Ryan, who had one assist in two previous games.

The Senators appeared to be getting out of the period with the lead thanks to the work of Condon, who did get some backchecking help from Mike Hoffman on an in-alone chance by Bryan Little that otherwise would have resulted in a goal. But a half-minute from the intermission, Johnny Oduya stopped moving his legs when pursuing the puck, and as a result was called for interfering with big Byfuglien.

Eighteeen seconds after that Petan cracked Condon’s goose egg by deflecting a point shot from Josh Morrissey.

Canadian Press http://www.chrisd.ca/2017/09/27/byfugliens-three-points-leads-jets-pre-season-win- senators/#.Wcz0xFtSzIU

Head Coach Paul Maurice Getting Sense of Jets Lineup After 5-3 Win Over Senators

By Judy Owen, The Canadian Press

WINNIPEG – Paul Maurice is getting a clearer picture of the Winnipeg Jets roster after they pumped out a 5-3 come-from-behind victory over the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday.

Dustin Byfuglien, Bryan Little and Nic Petan scored on the power play, while Marko Dano broke the 3-3 tie and Little added a second goal into an empty net. Byfuglien and Nikolaj Ehlers each added a pair of helpers.

Winnipeg capitalized on three of its seven power-play opportunities and held the Senators at bay during their two chances with the man advantage.

“I’ve got a pretty good handle on the way I think it’s going to look,” Maurice said of his roster. “Those power-play goals were important, but that penalty kill was more important.

“There are guys here that are good players. There’s an offensive group kinda competing with each other. Then there’s a group that’s out here to kill penalties and do some of the grinding work. So they had a good impact, too.”

Winnipeg (2-3-1) has scored 15 goals in the pre-season, with 12 of those coming on the power play.

Little tied it 3-3 at 8:33 of the third, then Dano scored on a two-on-one with Petan, sending a high shot over goalie Mike Condon’s stick side at 13:12 of the third period.

Bobby Ryan, Alex Formenton and Kyle Turris scored for Ottawa (3-2-0) while Condon made 29 saves and had two screened shots beat him.

Connor Hellebuyck turned aside 15 of the 18 shots he faced for the Jets.

“They’re very good at getting traffic in front of the net,” Condon said. “Even guys the size of (Mathieu) Perreault, little guys do a great job of getting in your line of sight and forcing you to pick a side.

“The (defence) do a great job of reading off that, too, so whatever side you’re looking, they’re going to shoot the opposite side.”

The Senators held a 2-1 lead at 7:26 of the second after Formenton stripped the puck from Jets forward Kyle Connor just outside the blue line and went in alone on Hellebuyck, beating him on the blocker side. Formenton was Ottawa’s second pick (47th overall) in this year’s NHL draft.

Turris was on the receiving end of a quick pass across the front of the net from Mark Stone and he easily flipped the puck into a wide-open net at 16:30 to go ahead 3-1.

But with 11 seconds left in the second and Sens forward Tom Pyatt off for slashing, Byfuglien ripped a low shot past Condon and the comeback was ignited.

“We capitalized on the loose pucks that we got,” said Petan, who scored Winnipeg’s first goal.

Puck handling was one area of his team’s play that irked Boucher.

“We’re trying to make pretty plays,” Boucher said. “Lots of turnovers on zone entries, turnovers in the offensive, turnovers in the D zone.”

He did like the speed and play of Formenton and said the 18-year-old will get another game.

The Jets close out the exhibition season Saturday against Calgary. Ottawa travels to Montreal for its last game Saturday against the Canadiens.

Sportsnet.ca http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/31-thoughts-olympic-roster-decisions-starting-take-shape/

31 Thoughts: Olympic roster decisions starting to take shape

By Elliotte Friedman

15. A Western Conference exec joked last summer he was worried “the Jets would stop taking bad penalties and get more consistent goaltending, because then we’d all be in trouble.” Spoke to him earlier this week. “My comment stands. They have great young talent, and those players are ready to take the next step.” http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/laine-ehlers-best-buddies-taking-flight-winnipeg/ (VIDEO LINK)

LAINE AND EHLERS BEST BUDDIES TAKING FLIGHT IN WINNIPEG

Sean Reynolds report from Winnipeg where Nikolaj Ehlers and Patrik Laine have formed a bond.

TSN 1290 (AUDIO LINKS) http://www.tsn.ca/radio/winnipeg-1290/hamilton-opportunities-abound-for-jets-bottom-six- 1.869042

Hamilton: Opportunities abound for Jets bottom six

Jeff Hamilton of the Winnipeg Free Press joins the Afternoon Ride to discuss which Winnipeg Jets players are on their way to securing a spot on the regular season roster. Hamilton also explains why Matt Hendricks could find a key role on the penalty kill, and why Adam Lowry could be used on any of the Jets lines. http://www.tsn.ca/radio/winnipeg-1290/dreger-new-penalty-going-to-reduce-off-side-challenges- 1.868998

Dreger: New penalty going to reduce off-side challenges

TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger joins the Afternoon Ride to discuss the newly-approved penalty for unsuccessful off-side challenges. Dreger also explains why he thinks that, despite being out of the season with a re-injured knee, Robby Fabbri will be kept close to his St Louis Blues teammates. www.winnipegjets.com https://www.nhl.com/jets/news/jets-rally-from-two-goal-deficit-to-beat-ottawa-5-3/c-291415432

Jets rally from two-goal deficit to beat Ottawa 5-3 Marko Dano broke a 3-3 tie with 6:48 to play in the third period by Ryan Dittrick @ryandittrick / WinnipegJets.com

WINNIPEG - It was another red-letter day for this red-hot power play.

Three goals.

Seven chances.

All to set up one brilliant finish.

Marko Dano broke a 3-3 tie with 6:48 to play in the third period as the Jets rallied from a 3-1 deficit to beat the Ottawa Senators 5-3 in preseason action Wednesday at Bell MTS Place.

On a 2-on-1 that developed in the neutral zone, Dano finished off a beautiful feed from Nic Petan to score his first of the preseason and vault the Jets their second win of the exhibition campaign.

Petan, Dustin Byfuglien and Bryan Little scored the first three - all power-play markers - to help the Jets overcome three separate Ottawa leads.

The Jets have now scored 12 PPGs on only 37 chances this preseason.

Little found the empty net with 4.5 seconds left, after Connor Hellebuyck made a key save and Matt Hendricks chipped in with two huge blocked shots, to preserve the victory.

"He says the right things; he's got a feel for the game, for what players need to hear when they're coming to the bench," said Head Coach Paul Maurice. "He's just a really good pro, and he's just a hard, grinding man. He's going to block shots and if it's with his face, so be it. He's a good example for the other players."

Hendricks finished the night with the blocks, two shots, a team-leading three hits and was 7-for- 11 (64%) in the faceoff circle.

As a team, the Jets held a good Senators team to only 18 shots on goal. Winnipeg's focus on improving its defensive game this year appears to be paying dividends early.

"I thought it was a really good effort from the whole team," Little said. "They had some skilled players in their lineup, but I thought we did a good job taking the game to them, for the most part.:"

It all started with a response - a big, big goal after the Senators opened up a 3-1 lead.

Just nine seconds into a 5-on-3 - and with only 10 ticks left in the second period - Byfuglien wired one home from the top of zone to make it a one-goal game entering the third. Then, on a 4-on-3 midway through the final frame, Little briefly fumbled the puck in the high slot before collecting it, changing the angle and rifling a shot high over Ottawa goalie Mike Condon's right shoulder.

No. 56 did the rest.

On Dano, Maurice said he got better as the game went on, and that he's looking for "speed" and strength along the wall if he's going to look up a job before next Wednesday's home opener.

"He's a powerful man and he's got a good set of hands. Speed is something that we're constantly looking to improve so he can get to those places faster."

Tonight, Dano was parked in front of the net on the top power-play unit, using his 210-pound frame as wrecking ball in and around the blue paint.

He was thorn in Ottawa's defence all night.

The Senators took a 2-1 lead at 7:26 of the second after the Jets evened the score late in the first. After Kyle Connor turned the puck over the neutral zone, the recently drafted Alex Formenton broke in alone and went bar down on Hellebuyck to restore the Sens' one-goal lead.

Kyle Turris helped the Sens open up a two-goal lead on a delayed penalty with three-and-a-half minutes left in the period. With the Jets running around, unable to get possession and stop play, Winnipeg native Mark Stone delivered a beautiful pass to the near circle, and Turris made no mistake in hitting the yawning cage.

It was all Jets from that point forward.

Ottawa's Bobby Ryan drew first blood just into 2:33 into the first period after getting a bounce off an otherwise innocent play. Ryan posted up at the far boards and drifted a shot that skipped off the ice about five feet out, beating Hellebuyck under the arm for the game's opening score.

The Jets answered back with - what else? - a power-play goal at 19:49. With Dano parked in front, Josh Morrissey unloaded a one-timer that Petan got a piece of en route, beating Condon clean over the shoulder for No. 19's first of the season.

Asked about the goal post-game, Petan wasn't even sure if it was rightfully his.

But he'll take it.

"I've always liked playing against good players. I was going against Turris for some of the game tonight and I knew I had to be on my game." https://www.nhl.com/jets/news/a-good-offence-is-a-good-defence/c-291415650

A good offence is a good defence Maurice seeing defensive commitment from Jets in preseason by Mitchell Clinton @MitchellClinton / WinnipegJets.com

WINNIPEG - A blocked shot, a two-on-one, a nifty pass, and a smooth finish - just what Nic Petan, Marko Dano, and the Winnipeg Jets needed to seal a win.

Petan threaded a feed to Dano who made no mistake beating Ottawa Senators goaltender Mike Condon to put the Jets up for good with 6:48 remaining in regulation.

"Honestly I didn't think he was going to get that puck. He got it with one hand and tipped it over to me," Petan said of Dano. "I had it cocked and had it ready to shoot, but the defenceman kind of slid on his knee over toward me, and I saw the lane and made the pass."

The goal was Winnipeg's second even strength marker of the preseason, and was Petan's second point of the night. But after the game, Petan didn't want to talk offense.

"Tonight wasn't really about my offensive ability, it was more about the defence," said Petan. "Besides a lucky goal in the first and the 6-on-5 goal, our whole team played a really strong defensive game."

That they did.

Facing a veteran Ottawa line-up, Winnipeg held the Senators to 18 shots on goal, and for the second straight game, didn't allow a goal while shorthanded.

"We didn't give up much tonight," said Maurice. "The Minnesota game, in Minnesota, a very young team, a lot of mistakes, but the structure started. I don't think you can judge the Calgary game of where your team is at, but I did like a lot of what we saw tonight in terms of what we gave up."

The coach cautioned that both rosters weren't complete tonight, but added moving Mathieu Perreault to the line with Dano and Petan, and shifting Kyle Connor to Bryan Little's wing with Nikolaj Ehlers helped to even things out on the offensive and defensive sides of the puck.

With one preseason game left before the home opener on Oct. 4, Maurice believes improvement can still be made defensively, but the team is making strides.

"We've got some good offensive talent here. We're seventh in the NHL (in goals scored), and I think we can score more. We just can't play like we need to every time we touch the puck," he said. "(We've had) an awful lot of offensive zone time. We were third in the last year in that.

"It'll look a little bit like tonight. In terms of when they have the puck what we're supposed to be doing, I think we can do more with it." https://www.nhl.com/jets/video/postgame--jets-5-senators-3-f/t-277437442/c-53003403

POSTGAME | Jets 5 Senators 3

JetsTV's Jamie Thomas wraps up tonight's win in the final home game of the pre-season https://www.nhl.com/jets/video/postgame--paul-maurice/t-277437442/c-53002803

POSTGAME | Paul Maurice

Winnipeg Jets Head Coach Paul Maurice following the 5-3 victory over the Senators https://www.nhl.com/jets/video/postgame--nic-petan/t-277437442/c-53002303

POSTGAME | Nic Petan

Nic Petan on the play of his team in a 5-3 victory https://www.nhl.com/jets/video/postgame--bryan-little/t-277437442/c-53001703

POSTGAME | Bryan Little

Winnipeg Jets forward Bryan Little talks about getting back into the lineup vs. Ottawa https://www.nhl.com/jets/video/postgame--nikolaj-ehlers/t-277437442/c-53002103

POSTGAME | Nikolaj Ehlers

Nikolaj Ehlers spoke with the media following tonight's game https://www.nhl.com/jets/video/postgame--tucker-poolman/t-277437442/c-53001903

POSTGAME | Tucker Poolman

Tucker Poolman weighs in on tonight's contest and how he felt about playing on the left side