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Jets Grind Down Avalanche 3-0

Jets Grind Down Avalanche 3-0

Winnipeg Free Press https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/jets/jets-grind-down-avalanche-3-0- 472555173.html?k=XlKK5r

Jets grind down Avalanche 3-0

By: Mike Sawatzky

The Jets are among the highest scoring teams in the NHL this season.

On Saturday, they showed they are also very capable of a suffocating defensive effort with some timely goals mixed in, beating the 3-0 before 15,321 fans at Bell MTS Place.

Sophomore scored a superb first-period marker off of a power-play feed from and rookie forward scored his second career on a third-period deflection, coming after Wheeler's original . added an empty- netter, his 20th, in the final minute.

The Jets, leaders of the Central Division, improved to 31-13-9 and 71 points. Colorado is 11 points back with a 28-19-4 record.

"In the Western Conference, it’s a dog fight," said Wheeler. "Every team we play is fighting for something. Being comfortable in those type games, the swing in momentum in those games, is important for a young team that hasn’t been through a lot of that. Learning how to stay with it mentally.

"We’ve built leads this year and been comfortable in tight games. Down the stretch, we’re going to be playing teams that are fighting and good teams that are fighting. You can’t expect to come in and blow away every team. That shouldn’t be the expectation. The more we stay with those games, the more success we can look to have down the stretch."

The Jets, who started the game without injured centres and , lost veteran two shifts into the game with an upper-body injury.

"There’s a certain amount of confidence building in the style of hockey and knowing we’ve had success," said Jets head coach . "We haven’t had to chase a lot of games. We’ve been in this position a fair amount of times and we’re getting more comfortable."

Laine's one-timer goal was his team-leading 24th of the season and his 13th on the power play, which tied him with Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin for the NHL lead in that category.

After being outshot 10-6 in the first period, Winnipeg pressed to extend its lead in the middle frame.

Ehlers, zipping in alone on a breakaway feed from , was denied by a Semyon Varlamov and a goal post eight minutes in. Two minutes later, Wheeler rattled another prime scoring chance off the iron behind Varlamov.

Winnipeg averted disaster later in the second when they allowed Avs forwards Matt Nieto and to break in alone short-handed, only to have Bourque miss the net with his shot.

"In that we lost Matt so early and you get to a shorter bench and a kind of a grinding game, we handled it pretty darn well," said Maurice. "At the 12-minute mark of the second period, the ’s line really got it going. We were very strong after that and after we got past the 2- on-0, short-handed breakaway… after that we were strong in the game but that’s the way all of these games are going to look."

The Avs found the neutral zone traffic difficult to navigate.

"They're a tough team," said Nieto. "They have a really tight neutral zone. We had trouble going through the neutral zone and getting into their end. But when we had sustained attack I thought we had chances that tested their goalie a little bit more and get more traffic in front of him for sure."

Connor Hellebuyck improved to 27-6-8 after stopping 25 shots for his fifth shutout of the season (all coming in his last 22 starts). Varlomov finished with 29 saves.

"It’s very exciting for me personally," said Hellebucyk, after establishing a career high for victories. "I’m going to continue going and strive for more. This is always what I expected, so it’s nothing too big. Kudos to the guys in front of me because they’re making it happen too."

The Jets next action comes Tuesday when they host the Coyotes, the fourth game of their current 10-game homestand.

SCHEIFELE CLOSE? Mark Scheifele missed his 15th consecutive game Saturday but the star could be less than a week away from a return to the Jets lineup.

Scheifele, who sustained an upper-body injury when he crashed into the boards in a game against the Oilers Dec. 27, participated in an optional pre-game morning skate Saturday after wearing a non-contact jersey earlier in the week.

"He looks good on the ice," said Laine. "And I mean he's one of key players so it's key players so it's nice to get him back soon, probably. I think it's exciting for everybody, especially for him."

Maurice said Scheifele would not play Tuesday but could return Friday against the St. Louis Blues.

"The next step is for him to get the contact," said Maurice. "It'll happen I think some time this week. It might be Monday — that'll be up to medical. Once he hits that and he has to get through it — probably a couple of days of it. He's not going to have any conditioning curve here because it's upper body and he's been able to skate and he's a real fit guy."

NOTEWORTHY: Centre Matt Hendricks, who left with an upper-body injury , did not return. Forward also left the game late in the third with an upper-body injury. Maurice did not have an update on their status... Winnipeg was 1-for-2 on the power play. Colorado was 0-for-1... Winnipeg is now 19-3-2 on home ice. https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/avs-are-more-than-mackinnon-472575383.html

Avs are more than MacKinnon Looking beyond loss of their No. 1 centre

By: Mike Sawatzky

The Colorado Avalanche have gone from the NHL’s worst team to a playoff-calibre club in less than a year.

But how good can they be without their offensive catalyst, No. 1 centre Nathan MacKinnon, who went down with an apparent shoulder injury early in Tuesday’s 4-3 loss in Vancouver?

The Avs are aiming to show the hockey world they are a deep and talented team, even without their star, who could be sidelined for up to four weeks.

"You can’t replace a guy like that," Tyson Barrie said prior to the Avs game in Winnipeg Saturday night.

"He’s a world-class player and he’d put himself in the Hart (Trophy) conversation. We’re going to miss him a ton, but it’s a chance to show we’re not just one player, and a deep team.

"Obviously, we’d like to get him back as soon as we can, but we’ve just got to stick around, try and win some games and stay in (the playoff hunt)."

Into the breach stepped rookie centre Alexander Kerfoot, a Harvard-educated Vancouverite who was subbed for MacKinnon on Colorado’s top line with wingers and and the unit scarcely skipped a beat.

"I don’t know if it was because it was his hometown, but I thought he was the best player on the ice (Tuesday)," Barrie said.

"Every time he touched the puck, he was moving his feet and making plays. He’s been great all year for us. For him to get this opportunity, I think he’ll make the most of it."

Kerfoot insists he hasn’t had to alter his game to smooth his transition to the top line.

"They’re two elite players and I just want to try and complement them as much as I can, because if you’re out there with those guys, you’re going to be playing against top lines, so you can’t turn the puck over in the neutral zone," Kerfoot said.

The 23-year-old Kerfoot has been a revelation for the Avs, who finished last overall in 2016-17 and underwent a massive restructuring in the off-season.

Although he was chosen by New Jersey in the fifth round of the 2012 draft, he never signed with the Devils. The Avs inked the 5-10, 175-pound college free agent to a two-year deal following Harvard’s Frozen Four appearance and he’s piled up 32 points, including 12 goals, in 47 games thus far.

"Just from his body of work this year, he’s been a guy that has provided us with some offence," head coach Jared Bednar said when asked to explain his choice of Kerfoot as MacKinnon’s replacement.

"He’s a gifted passer, playmaker. He sees the ice real well and he’s able to play with skilled players."

Colorado beat the 4-3 in overtime Thursday night and Kerfoot, Landeskog and Rantanen had combined for two goals and seven points in the two games heading into Saturday’s showdown with the Jets.

"Three out of four points without (MacKinnon), I think we’ll take that," Bednar said.

"We’ve seen some good things. Kerfoot has stepped in on that top line and done a nice job. Our second line with (Tyson) Jost, (J.T.) Compher and (Colin) Wilson has done a good job and the Soderberg line keeps clicking along. So, we’re still getting those contributions without him."

Kerfoot welcomes the added responsibility.

"We don’t want Mac out too long — he’s one of the best players in the league and a huge part of our team," Kerfoot said. "We also want to win games in the meantime. I just want to do a good job."

Jets head coach Paul Maurice believes MacKinnon’s absence can be overcome.

"It changes them the way (losing Mark Scheifele) changes us," Maurice said.

"That’s another real strong offensive weapon. So, their game hasn’t changed, their game in Edmonton was powerful, they scored goals, they dominated at times in that game. It’s just one less finisher, one less play-creator, but a good player goes in. It’s a big hole to fill. It can be done.

"You look at any of the teams that have lost a (No. 1) centreman — L.A., Anaheim — there’s a cost to it, for sure. More, I think, over time. Not necessarily in one game. The players they put in and get more ice time are good players."

Winnipeg Sun http://winnipegsun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/winnipeg-jets/jets-blank-avalanche-hellebuyck-makes- 25-saves-to-record-fifth-shutout

Jets blank Avalanche: Hellebuyck makes 25 saves to record fifth shutout

By Ken Wiebe

This new normal suits just fine.

Sure, there are still going to be games when he needs to do more than just make the routine saves, but the Winnipeg Jets have made a concerted effort to tighten things up and are making life a lot easier on the men between the pipes.

On Saturday, Hellebuyck made 25 saves to record his fifth shutout of the season in a 3-0 victory over the Colorado Avalanche.

While rock-steady, Hellebuyck didn’t need to be spectacular, which suits him just fine.

“I thought we controlled (the game). Kept the shots to the outside and I was able to control my rebounds,” said Hellebuyck, who picked up his career-high 27th win in his 43rd appearance this season. “The team is playing really well in front of me. They’re bringing it every night and you can tell. Everyone is together on this. You can see the success that comes from it and we’re all buying into it and we’re loving to play that way.”

The Jets, who improved to 31-13-9, continue a 10-game homestand on Tuesday against the .

The best chance for the Avalanche came on a rare two-on-zero rush while shorthanded during the second period.

After Matt Nieto passed the puck over to him, Garbriel Bourque wired a one-timer over the net.

“I think I might have intimidated him a little bit,” said Hellebuyck, with tongue firmly planted in cheek. “Let’s just say I got a piece of it and we’ll go with that.”

Obviously, the Jets were fortunate not to give up a shorthanded goal for the second time in as many games.

For the most part, the second period was another example of the growth the Jets have shown this season.

Despite carrying the play and limiting the Avalanche to only four shots on goal, the Jets were unable to extend the lead or put their opponent away.

Instead of cheating or straying from their structure, the Jets simply stuck with it and were rewarded during the third period.

The Jets caught a break when they extended the lead 5:27 into the third period when captain Blake Wheeler’s shot from the slot went off the pants of Jack Roslovic, caromed into the air and ended up behind Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov and in the net.

“We’ve built leads this year and been comfortable in tight games,” said Wheeler, who had two assists to give him 14 goals and 58 points in 53 games this season. “Down the stretch, we’re going to be playing teams that are fighting and good teams that are fighting. Every team we play is fighting for something. You can’t expect to come in and blow away every team. That shouldn’t be the expectation. The more we stay with those games, the more success we can look to have down the stretch.

“Being comfortable in those type games, the swing in momentum in those games is important for a young team that hasn’t been through a lot of that. Learning how to stay with it mentally.”

Going into the season, the Jets spoke at length about the need to be more committed to keeping the puck out of the net.

Offensive firepower was not going to be an issue, but in order to get above the playoff line, improved defending was going to be critical.

“There’s a certain amount of confidence building in the style of hockey and knowing we’ve had success,” said Jets head coach Paul Maurice. “We haven’t had to chase a lot of games, we’ve been in this position a fair amount of times and we’re getting more comfortable.”

Nikolaj Ehlers rounded out the scoring with an empty-netter with 17.4 seconds to go in regulation time.

Ehlers snapped an eight-game goal-scoring drought hours after Maurice was raving about his improved defensive play.

Patrik Laine got the Jets on the board with a power-play goal at 2:27 of the opening period, taking a beautiful cross-ice pass from Wheeler before blasting home a one-timer.

It was the team-leading 24th goal of the season for Laine, who moved back into a tie for the league lead in power play goals with centre Evgeni Malkin.

The Jets lost veteran centre Matt Hendricks to a suspected back injury before the midway of the first period.

Hendricks, who was limited to just two shifts in the contest, was involved in what looked to be a relatively harmless knee-on-knee collision in the offensive zone with Avalanche defenceman Patrik Nemeth.

But after Hendricks made his way to the Jets bench, he doubled over and had to be helped down the tunnel.

Late in the third period, after the Jets killed off a power play, forward Brandon Tanev left the game with an upper-body injury.

Maurice called both players day-to-day, though it sounded like Tanev’s issue might keep him out a bit longer.

Although the Jets are expected to welcome a player or two back from the injured list in the coming games, dealing with guys going in and out of the lineup is simply part of the game.

“We’ve had injuries for the last how many games and we’ve got guys stepping up,” said Ehlers, who is up to 20 goals and 39 points in 53 games. “That’s the thing about this team. We like the way that we’re playing right now and we have to continue this.” http://winnipegsun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/winnipeg-jets/scheifele-inching-closer-to-returnlowry- aggravates-upper-body-injuryjets-discuss-ot-woeschiarot-stays-in-lineup

Scheifele inching closer to return…Lowry aggravates upper-body injury…Jets discuss OT woes…Chiarot stays in lineup

By Ken Wiebe

Barring an unforeseen setback, Mark Scheifele could be back in the Winnipeg Jets lineup as early as next Friday against the St. Louis Blues.

Scheifele, who has been out of action since suffering a suspected shoulder injury against the Edmonton Oilers in the second period of a game on Dec. 27, continues to progress and appears ready to clear his final hurdle early next week.

The Jets’ top centre did some one-on-one battle work and he appears set for a full-contact practice on Monday.

“He’s not going to have a conditioning curve here. Because it’s upper body, he’s been able to skate. He’s a real fit guy and he pushes himself real hard,” Jets head coach Paul Maurice said following an optional morning skate. “So once he gets through a couple of heavy contact days, he’ll be ready to go. I don’t have him for Arizona (on Tuesday), but I won’t rule him out for St. Louis (on Friday) just yet.”

The Jets have done an excellent job of weathering the storm during Scheifele’s absence from the lineup.

Jets captain Blake Wheeler helped fill the void down the middle on the top line, prompting some to wonder if Scheifele could shift to the wing once he returns.

Others wondered if the Jets might break up the successful duo and use Scheifele and Wheeler as the top two centres.

The most likely scenario will see Scheifele and Wheeler reunited, with both guys playing their natural positions.

The Jets won’t need to hold Scheifele out of taking draws either.

“He’s going to be healthier than that when he goes in and I won’t hold him out of any of it,” said Maurice. “For a guy that’s played one position for so long and is coming off injury, (you want him) in normal spots on the ice. He’ll go back in at centre.”

Scheifele, who has missed the past 15 games, has 15 goals and 38 points in 38 games while averaging 20:58 of ice time per game.

Lowry back on sidelines Jets centre Adam Lowry aggravated an upper-body injury in Thursday’s game against the and is officially listed as day-to-day.

“It’s not as significant as the last one,” said Maurice. “He’s not in (Saturday), but I’m not going to rule him out for Arizona (on Tuesday). I’m not going to list him as probable though either. I don’t know is the answer.”

Even if the injury is not as significant as the last one, making sure this doesn’t become something that is a recurring issue during the final two-and-a-half months of the season is important as well.

With Lowry out, slid from left wing back to his natural position of centre on the checking line with and Brandon Tanev.

“It wasn’t too long ago,” said Copp, referring to the eight games he played centre when Lowry missed after suffering the original injury in a game against the . “There’s nothing crazy. I’ve been transitioning back and forth all year, so it shouldn’t be any sort of hiccup or hesitation. I’m ready to go for it.”

Overtime issues addressed One of the statistical oddities for the Jets this season is a 1-7 record in overtime.

Given the speed and skill on the roster, one would expect the Jets to flourish in three-on-three action.

Instead, they’ve had a hard time earning the extra point.

“No idea. We would probably win more games if we would know what’s wrong,” said Jets forward Patrik Laine. “We haven’t had any luck on those three-on-three opportunities, but we’ve just got to find a couple of ways to win in overtime. We’ve got to find a way to score and play better defence on three-on-three.”

Early in the season, the Jets struggled in the puck management department in overtime.

Then on Thursday, the Jets managed several quality scoring chances but were unable to convert.

“There’s a bit more structure to it than there used to be, but it can go either way,” said Jets centre Bryan Little. “We had a couple of chances where the puck was just sitting on the goal line. That’s just the way it goes sometimes and you miss those.”

Chiarot finding form With Jets defenceman Dmitry Kulikov returning to the lineup after missing the past three games with a concussion, there was some debate over which blue-liner was going to come out of the lineup.

For Saturday’s tilt, Maurice opted to keep in, thanks in part to his physical play during the past two games, which meant rookie was a healthy scratch.

Chiarot, who started the season as an extra defenceman, has five assists in 28 games this season.

“When I’m skating, feeling good and on the body, things happen for me,” said Chiarot. “I’ve felt good the past couple of games, so just keep going with that. The coaches seem to be happy with what I’m doing.”

As for Kulikov taking some shifts on his off side, Maurice wasn’t concerned.

“I watched every shift he played in Buffalo (last season) and he played a big chunk on the right side. And I liked him on the right side,” said Maurice. “It’s something we had talked about at the start of the year, before we had even known where he fits.”

Canadian Press https://www.chrisd.ca/2018/02/03/connor-hellebuyck-makes-25-saves-winnipeg-blanks- colorado-3-0/#.WncwEKinGuU

Connor Hellebuyck Makes 25 Saves, Winnipeg Blanks Colorado 3-0

By Judy Owen, The Canadian Press

WINNIPEG – Connor Hellebuyck appreciates his Winnipeg teammates sacrificing their bodies to help him look good.

Hellebuyck made 25 saves for his fifth shutout of the season as the Jets blanked the Colorado Avalanche 3-0 on Saturday.

“They’re bringing it every night and you can tell,” Hellebuyck said. “Guys are getting a little banged up, that means they’re blocking shots and doing the right things. My hat is off to my teammates.”

Patrik Laine scored his team-leading 24th goal, rookie Jack Roslovic was credited with his second and Nikolaj Ehlers put his 20th into an empty net for the Jets (31-13-9).

Blake Wheeler added a pair of assists as Winnipeg extended its point streak to seven games (5- 0-2). It was the third game of a season-high, 10-game homestand (2-0-1).

Semyon Varlamov was back in net for Colorado. He missed 10 games in total with an injury and backed up Jonathan Bernier in the Avalanche’s overtime win in Edmonton on Thursday.

The veteran netminder stopped 29 shots as the Avalanche (28-19-4) wrapped up a season- long, six-game road trip with the loss (2-3-1).

“It was great to see him back in the net and he was our best player tonight,” Colorado coach Jared Bednar said.

Winnipeg led 1-0 after the first period and kept that edge until a Wheeler shot bounced off Roslovic and went up and over Varlamov into the net at 5:17 of the third.

Laine scored 2:27 into the opening period on a play that’s become familiar to Winnipeg fans. Wheeler threaded a pass through defenders across the front of the net to Laine on the left and he one-timed his 13th power-play marker past Varlamov on his blocker side.

Winnipeg lost veteran forward Matt Hendricks to an upper-body injury early in the first. Coach Paul Maurice said later it didn’t look significant.

“In that we lost Matt so early and you get to a shorter bench and a kind of a grinding game, we handled it pretty darn well,” Maurice said.

The Jets had three shots hit the post in the scoreless second period, while the Avalanche had a 2-on-0 while shorthanded. Matt Nieto and Gabriel Bourque went in alone on Hellebuyck, but Bourque’s high shot missed the net.

Hellebuyck had his tongue planted firmly in his cheek when asked about the duo bearing down on him.

“I think I might have intimidated (Bourque) a little bit,” he said with a grin.

Nieto described Hellebuyck as a big goalie who takes up a lot of the net.

“If he sees the puck he’s going to save it,” Nieto said. “We just had to get guys in front of him and get more second and third chances.”

Bednar said his players looked good for the first half of the game.

“I thought the final 30 minutes of the game our execution was poor,” he said. “We were passing into skates and turning the puck over and that led to them creating a bunch of good scoring chances in the second period. Eventually they took over the game.”

The Avalanche had a power play with 4:43 left in the third when Jets centre Bryan Little was called for hooking, but Hellebuyck made a couple of stops, a few shots were blocked and Ehlers scored into the empty net with 18 seconds left.

Winnipeg hosts Arizona on Tuesday. Colorado heads home to take on San Jose the same day.

Denver Post https://www.denverpost.com/2018/02/03/avalanche-shut-out-by-winnipeg/

Avalanche shut out by Winnipeg in Semyon Varlamov’s return

By DARRIN BAUMING

Winnipeg, — Despite the lopsided 3-0 defeat to the Winnipeg Jets — a fourth loss in their last five games for the Avalanche — goaltender Semyon Varlamov was solid in his first start after missing 11 games with a groin injury.

“I thought (Varlamov) played great,” said Colorado coach Jared Bednar. “It was great to see him back in the net, and he was our best player tonight.”

Varlamov stopped 29 of the 31 shots he faced, including a handful of saves to halt some dangerous Jets chances throughout the game.

“Outstanding. I think he kept us in the game and gave us a chance, for sure,” said Matt Nieto of his goaltender. “He’s worked tremendously hard over the last few weeks, so it’s too bad we couldn’t get the win for him. He played unbelievable.”

Varlamov entered the contest — his first since Jan. 2, when he left the game in the second period in Colorado’s last meeting with the Jets — with a .912 save percentage in 26 previous appearances.

The 29-year-old veteran didn’t stand a chance on the two pucks that found their way past him Saturday.

Jets sophomore sniper Patrik Laine moved into a tie with Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin for the NHL’s lead in power-play goals (13), blasting a one-timer into a gaping net off of a cross-ice pass from Winnipeg captain Blake Wheeler early in the first period.

Varlamov displayed maybe his best work midway through the second period as Winnipeg created two excellent scoring opportunities. Nikolaj Ehlers’ breakaway was stopped by Varlamov as Ehlers attempted to go five-hole with a move to the backhand. Moments later, Jets captain Blake Wheeler rang a shot from the slot off the post as Varlamov didn’t allow an inch.

Winnipeg’s second goal came early in the third as Wheeler fired a shot from the high slot, hitting Jets rookie Jack Roslovic in the back and sending the puck high into the air and over Varlamov’s head — and line of vision — and in.

Ehlers added an empty-netter inside the final minute.

“They do a good job defensively. They don’t give you much,” said rookie Alexander Kerfoot, who lined up at first-line center for a second game in place of the injured Nathan MacKinnon. “But I think that it was a little bit on us, too. We were a little bit stubborn with the puck.”

“A lot of that I think was execution, not will or competitiveness,” added Bednar. “I just think that we weren’t sharp with the puck and we weren’t seeing it quick enough.

“We just weren’t sharp in the second half of the game, and then they started to outwork us a little bit, too.”

Winnipeg’s Connor Hellebuyck recorded his fifth shutout of the season as the recent all-star turned away all 25 Colorado shots.

“He’s a big goalie and takes up a lot of the net,” added Nieto. “If he sees the puck he’s going to save it. We just had to get guys in front of him and get more second and third chances.”

The Avalanche return to Winnipeg later this month to complete their four-game season series with the Jets. Colorado is now 2-1 against the division-leading Jets this season, with a pair of 3- 2 overtime wins at home.

With a season-long six-game road trip now behind them — going 2-3-1 in the process — the Avalanche return home for a single game at Pepsi Center on Tuesday against the .

Sportsnet.ca http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/winnipeg-jets-considering-trading-top-six-forward/

Winnipeg Jets considering trading for top-six forward

By Emily Sadler

Logic tells us the Winnipeg Jets are likely to target a little bit of blue line help ahead of the NHL’s upcoming trade deadline, but Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos believes that’s not the only position on the club’s shopping list.

“Don’t be surprised if they start shopping for a top-six forward as well,” Kypreos said during Saturday’s Headlines on . “In a perfect world, they’d still like to maybe find someone on the left side that can go in there with [Mark] Scheifele and [Blake] Wheeler.”

The Jets are currently sitting atop the Central Division and looking like a legitimate contender — something captain Blake Wheeler discussed in an exclusive interview with David Amber earlier in Saturday’s broadcast.

“Maybe, just maybe, a guy like Rick Nash would be of interest,” Kypreos said. “I don’t know whether or not that would fit in with where he is in his list of teams that he’d want to go to. But that’s the type of guy I think that Winnipeg would be looking at.”

Nash’s name has been floated as a potential rental for a little while now with the Rangers widely reported to be sellers at the Feb. 26 deadline. Per his contract, the pending UFA can submit a list of 12 teams he’d accept a trade to.

“I think when it comes to Nash, I think that’s coming any day now, where the Rangers go to him officially and say, ‘Rick, we want your list,’” said Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. “One of the story lines that is developing is there are some teams out there who believe that Rick Nash and [Michael] Grabner could get traded and then go back to New York next season. They both really like it there.” http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/breaking-jets-blake-wheelers-move-centre/

Breaking down Blake Wheeler’s move to centre

By Andrew Berkshire

Since Mark Scheifele went out with an injury in late December, the Winnipeg Jets have tried a bit of an experiment, using their best two-way forward in Blake Wheeler in the middle.

Wheeler is one of the best wingers in the NHL; I had him ranked as the fourth-best right wing in hockey over the last three years before this season began, but moving to centre is a serious challenge.

The extra defensive responsibility can force players who are inclined towards offence to struggle a little bit, but Wheeler is excellent without the puck, and one of the NHL’s better puck battlers.

Moving from the wing to centre, you would expect that where Wheeler battles for loose pucks would change; he would be less inclined to forecheck, and much more involved defensively. Looking at the splits before and after Scheifele went down, we can check if this is actually the case.

As expected, Wheeler has seen his forechecking drop a fair amount, while his involvement defensively is way up, as is his aggressiveness in the neutral zone. Wheeler has always been one of the Jets’ best forecheckers, it’s one of his biggest talents in generating offence, so this takes him a little outside his comfort zone offensively.

Yet, since he was moved to the middle, Wheeler leads the Jets with 14 points in 14 games, and has even been respectable on faceoffs at 49 per cent. The question I have, is aside from a little less forechecking, has Wheeler’s offensive game changed since he was moved to the middle?

While Wheeler wasn’t above team average in scoring chances while on the wing, one thing he was good at was staying open in the slot to receive passes, then shooting quickly. More of his shots on goal involved pre-shot movement than most of his teammates, making him a dangerous scorer.

Since moving to centre, his personal scoring chances have dropped off significantly, as have his pass receptions in the slot, because he has become the playmaker on his line, increasing his own passes into the slot.

As a result, the of chances he creates for teammates has rocketed upwards to one of the best marks in the league.

However, taking Wheeler’s best shots out of the equation does come at a cost, even if he’s setting up Patrik Laine.

Wheeler is creating more opportunities for linemates, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the Jets are better off. Let’s look at Wheeler’s on-ice differentials to see how much the Jets have benefitted from this move.

Wheeler’s shot attempt differentials haven’t been great all season, and really it’s not a surprise that he took a hit in Corsi moving to the middle — it’s brand new for him. However, despite his poor shot attempt numbers, he has consistently been brilliant in high danger scoring chance differential on the wing, but that hasn’t been true at centre.

The Jets are a very good even-strength team, one of the few that has been able to consistently outperform its shot attempts by controlling shot quality this season. Losing Scheifele does more than just force Wheeler to move to the middle, it allows opponents to focus their checking on fewer lines, making Wheeler’s job even tougher.

Looking into how things have changed with Wheeler on the ice, defensively the Jets are giving up almost the exact same number of high danger chances at 5-on-5, so he’s adjusted to the defensive responsibilities of the centre position perfectly.

The main change has been that the Jets have gone from producing 7.8 high danger chances per 60 minutes when Wheeler was on the ice as a , to just 6.2 as a centre. That may not seem like much, but for a low event statistic, it’s pretty significant.

Luckily, Wheeler has been great on the power play, with eight of his 14 points over the last month or so coming with the man advantage, but there’s still something missing at even strength.

Ironically, what Wheeler could probably use the most is a winger who plays similar to himself to support the attack and hang out in the slot after recovering pucks off the forecheck.

Wheeler’s success at centre is a good story, especially defensively, but some good fortune in the short term has made it look a bit more promising than it’s actually been. Though who knows what could happen if he adjusts offensively as well as he has defensively. http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/headlines-goalie-interference-controversy-not-going-away/ (VIDEO LINK)

HEADLINES: GOALIE INTERFERENCE CONTROVERSY NOT GOING AWAY

The Hockey Night in Canada panel discuss all the news and rumours around the league including goalie interference and the upcoming NHL trade deadline. http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/blake-wheeler-can-imagine-bringing-stanley-cup-winnipeg/ (VIDEO LINK)

BLAKE WHEELER CAN IMAGINE BRINGING THE STANLEY CUP TO WINNIPEG

Blake Wheeler sits down with David Amber to talk about missing out on a possibly historic Olympics, his friendship with Mark Scheifele and wanting to bring the Stanley Cup to Winnipeg.

The Athletic Winnipeg https://theathletic.com/228217/2018/02/01/adam-lowry-and-andrew-copp-relish-tough-minutes- against-oppositions-best-lines/

Adam Lowry and Andrew Copp relish tough minutes against opposition's best lines

By Murat Ates

On Tuesday night against the , Andrew Copp and the Winnipeg Jets got their tough-minutes centre back. Adam Lowry, who missed nearly a month with an upper-body injury, returned to his role as Copp's centre on Winnipeg's premiere checking line.

Their importance as a duo is perhaps best illustrated by their role in sealing Tuesday's win:

With the Jets up 3-1 and the Lightning’s Louis Domingue on the bench for the extra attacker, Brayden Point streaked through the neutral zone and took a pass just inside the Jets’ blueline. Point carried the puck into Winnipeg’s zone at full flight and then, in an effort to create space, slammed on the brakes against .

Point’s gambit failed. Copp closed in on him along the wall and Morrissey closed in, too. Then, as Nikita Kucherov and rushed to Point’s aid, Lowry joined the fray, beginning a twenty-second war began along the boards – three Jets vs. three Lightning for a three-inch piece of rubber and bragging rights between two of the NHL’s best teams.

You know how it ended. The Jets players prevail, the puck is sent down the ice and 16,000 Jets fans go home happy with a 3-1 win.

For Copp and Lowry, it was all in a night’s work. Lining up against top opposition is simply what they do.

To use the Lightning game as an example, Stamkos and Kucherov played eighteen shifts together. Fifteen of those shifts were against Copp and Lowry.

“Before the game, we know who we’re going to play against,” Lowry said Wednesday. “We might not necessarily have the puck skills that (Stamkos and Kucherov) have, but as a line – whether it was with Brandon (Tanev) or with Joel (Armia) – we really read each other well.”

Lowry is right to praise both versions of Winnipeg’s third line.

In 245 5-on-5 minutes of Lowry/Copp/Tanev this season, Winnipeg has had 61 per cent of the shot attempts and 72 per cent of the high danger scoring chances. In almost 58 minutes of Lowry/Copp/Armia, the numbers are quite similar – 58 per cent of the shot attempts and 61 per cent of the high danger scoring chances.

No matter which form the line takes, its job is to take on matchups like Stamkos and Kucherov so other lines don’t have to.

“When we look at our team’s makeup, we look at the job we do and it kind of lessens the load on (Mark Scheifele's) line. For Bryan (Little) and the younger guys, it gives them a certain advantage… They can keep the creativity up in their game because they know they’re not playing against Stamkos’ line or Giroux’s line or guys like that.”

In the playoffs, any team Winnipeg lines up against is going to have at least two dangerous lines. If the Jets can get Scheifele’s line against one of them and Lowry’s against the other, it will open up opportunities elsewhere in the lineup. The key to all of this is that Lowry’s line needs to be able to handle tough opposition.

That’s where having so much defensive awareness on one line comes into play.

“With Andrew, it’s nice. He’s a natural centreman so he really understands the game,” Lowry said. “We have a lot of switch-offs in the D-zone and I think with him being so comfortable down low, that really makes our job easier. On faceoffs, I can cheat a little more knowing that we have someone that’s strong in the circle being able to come in – especially in the D-zone.

“Army is a big body and he’s got terrific puck skills. He protects the puck really well. Then you get Brandon, he brings a bit of a different element to us – he’s kind of all over the ice… You can almost just lay the puck to his side and you’re going to create footraces for him. I think each one of us brings a little something different to the line and for whatever reason it’s seemed to click.”

I commented on the area passes I've seen Tanev track down and Lowry got a kick out of it.

“He’s like a greyhound chasing a ball — he just wants to fly.”

To illustrate Lowry and Copp's defensive zone prowess, we can look at their possession metrics in terms of rates instead of as percentages.

It’s one thing to say that Lowry and Copp have had 60 per cent of the shot attempts at 5-on-5. Scheifele and Blake Wheeler, for comparison, are at 48 per cent SAT. But when you convert the shot attempts for and against into rates, you find that both duos have nearly identical shot attempts for per minute.

The difference? Lowry and Copp don't seem to give up anything.

Scheifele and Wheeler: 0.96 SAT for per minute, 1.03 SAT against. 0.20 HDSC for per minute, 0.17 HDSC against. Lowry and Copp: 1.04 SAT for per minute, 0.69 SAT against. 0.22 HDSC for per minute, 0.10 HDSC against.

That’s an impressive commitment to defence, especially given Lowry and Copp start so many shifts in their own zone.

“I think that’s just how we play the game,” Copp said. “It’s how I was taught to play the game from a young age – just being really responsible in my own zone, first and foremost, and then developing my offensive game from there. The four of us have kind of combined to be that line.

“I guess the theme is [we're ] all heavy on the puck. Just the difference between Joel and Brandon is how they come up the ice. Joel is a little bit more calm and hangs onto the puck a little bit longer and Brandon has such great speed that he wants to utilize that. Adam is big, strong, responsible defensively, always in the right spots. Good in the faceoff circle, always good at protecting pucks down low… We have good chemistry together.”

Like Lowry, who told me he’s played tough match-ups as far back as bantam hockey, Copp is used to having extra defensive responsibilities.

In his final year at the University of Michigan, Copp played the role of shutdown centre on a team loaded with offensive talent in the form of and defenceman Zach Werenski.

“And then last year it was the start of this [line] and it’s progressed from there. I really enjoy the challenge of playing the other team’s top lines.”

It’s a long-held NHL truism that the playoffs make heroes of working-class players. From Samuel Pahlsson to Fernando Pisani to Nick Bonino, players of humble pedigree can be elevated to household names in an instant.

Of course, the memories are most golden for teams that play deep into springtime.

If Winnipeg becomes such a team, it will be on the backs of heroes like Wheeler and Scheifele, through the efforts of new phenoms like Patrik Laine and Nik Ehlers, or through the shining of new stars like Connor Hellebuyck.

If Winnipeg becomes such a team, it will also be because of Lowry, Copp, and whichever player gets the mountain-moving gig on their right wing.

TSN.ca https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/video/button-says-wheeler-is-his-mvp-right-now~1318791 (VIDEO LINK)

Button says Wheeler is his MVP right now

Despite not scoring in 11 games, Craig Button explains why Jets captain Blake Wheeler deserves to be in the MVP conversation. www.winnipegjets.com https://www.nhl.com/jets/news/hellebuyck-earns-fifth-shutout-as-jets-blank-avalanche/c- 295607048 (INTERVIEWS INCLUDED)

Hellebuyck earns fifth shutout as Jets blank Avalanche Jets' home record improves to 19-3-2 with divisional victory by Mitchell Clinton @MitchellClinton / WinnipegJets.com

WINNIPEG - For the first time this season, the Winnipeg Jets and Colorado Avalanche didn't need overtime.

On this night, the Jets took care of business in regulation, handing the Avalanche a 3-0 loss to wrap up Colorado's season-long six-game road trip.

The Jets meanwhile, now have five of a possible six points in the first three games of a 10-game home stand.

"It's a good skating team over there. The forwards forecheck hard and make it tough to come out of the zone," said Blake Wheeler. "We were looking for a bit too much in the first period. I think we simplified in the second half of the game and we were able to capitalize."

Patrik Laine notched his 24th of the season in the first period to open the scoring, while Jack Roslovic and Nikolaj Ehlers added singles of their own in the third to round out the scoring.

"We had a lot of chances in the second period that we should have scored on. Sometimes they go in, sometimes they don't. But we got three goals, won the game, so it's good," said Ehlers, who scored his 20th of the season in the win.

"We've got guys stepping up. That's the thing about this team. We have young guys coming up - including me, I'm a young guy - and just playing the game they need to play. We like the way we're playing right now, and we have to continue this."

Connor Hellebuyck made 25 saves, and was solid when called upon, to record his fifth shutout of the season. All of those blank slates have come in Hellebuyck's last 22 starts.

"I think the team is playing really well in front of me. They're bringing it every night," said Hellebuyck, who is now tied for second in the NHL in shutouts, and holds the second most wins among with 27.

"The guys are starting to get a little banged up. That means they're blocking shots and doing the right things. My hat is off to my teammates."

When Mikko Rantanen was called for tripping Josh Morrissey just 1:23 into the game, Winnipeg's power play would need only a minute with the man advantage to open the scoring.

Wheeler took a pass from in the right wing circle, and quickly fed a pass through the Avalanche killers to Laine, who blasted the one-timer past Semyon Varlamov.

The second period would finish scoreless, but it was in the back half of that middle frame that head coach Paul Maurice felt his team got going.

The numbers back up the coach. At five-on-five, the Jets had 20 shot attempts to Colorado's 12.

"Bryan Little's line really got it going. We were very strong after that," said Maurice. "But it's the way all of these games are going to look. They're coming into the game tonight coming off 10 wins, and they're in the nine hole. You're going to get their very best. It's not going to be an open game or a loose game.

"We didn't make the most of the offence we generated in the second period, and that happens as well, but we didn't come off our game."

The Jets would extend the lead 5:17 into the third, when Wheeler made a nifty move in the high slot to get around , then sent a wrist shot toward the net. The shot popped up in the air off Roslovic, over Varlamov - who lost sight of the puck - and dropped behind him in the net.

It was the second goal of Roslovic's career, and the second assist of the game for Wheeler - his 17th multi-point effort of the season.

"His play at centre has been outstanding, to the point it gives you pause about how you take him out of the middle," said Maurice. "He's played so well defensively in that. He's played with 19, 20, and 21-year-old players that - as good as they are - they come out of games. They haven't developed what he has, that consistency.

"We could talk for half an hour and I wouldn't get close to telling you how important he is to our team."

Ehlers would add an empty net goal with 18 seconds left in regulation.

It's a day away from the rink for the Jets tomorrow, before the home stand continues with a match-up against the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday.

ICE CHIPS Matt Hendricks (upper-body) and Brandon Tanev (upper-body) both left the game and didn't return.

Hendricks, who exited the contest in the first period, is listed as "hopeful" for Tuesday's match- up with the Arizona Coyotes according to Maurice.

Tanev, who left in the third period after a shift on the penalty kill late in the game, is listed as day-to-day until the team checks him out further.

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