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Home , Alexander Steen, Mark Scheifele, Nikolaj Ehlers, Patrik Berglund, Robert Bortuzzo, Vince Dunn

Winnipeg Free Press https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/jets/loss-to-st-louis-has-jets-singing-the- blues-473666533.html

Jets can't get off runway Engines idle in one-sided loss to visiting Blues

By: Mike McIntyre

Sleepy, sloppy and surprisingly sluggish.

The didn’t look much like the Central Division powerhouse and legitimate playoff contender their record says they are, dropping a 5-2 decision to the St. Louis Blues Friday night at Bell MTS Place.

It was an unexpected dud from a squad that has been flying high and welcomed No. 1 centre back into the lineup for the first time since late December, but that didn’t seem to give them the boost many expected.

"We were horses—t tonight. That’s a technical term for our game," head coach said following the game.

"Nobody is in a good mood and you’re angry with it. You don’t like to get beat like that. We got beat in St. Louis (earlier this season) and played one hell of a game. We weren’t any good tonight and didn’t deserve to win the game."

He certainly wasn’t alone in the rather blunt assessment. Several players candidly said their effort fell far short of what is required to be successful.

"Our biggest challenge was us. It wasn’t them. We just didn’t come to play tonight," said Tyler Myers.

Now, there’s no reason to hit the panic button from just one tough game, and this is a Jets team that hadn’t lost in regulation for nearly a month, going 6-0-2 over their past eight games. Their overall record of 32-14-9 is still good for a share of first place in the league’s toughest division.

However, there were enough troubling signs Friday worth keeping an eye on.

They seemed to lose nearly every foot race and puck battle on the night while facing a division rival playing for the second time in as many nights. St. Louis throttled the 6-1 at home Thursday night, then flew to Winnipeg and arrived in the early morning hours to face a rested Jets team that hadn’t played since Tuesday.

"They came out and looked ready to go. They played a game last night, we were all going to bed when they were getting on a plane to leave St. Louis. The fact they come into our building and have more energy than us is a little bit concerning," said .

Perhaps we should have seen this coming. The Jets didn’t look much different against the Blues then they did in their last game against Arizona. The only difference being the Coyotes just happen to be the worst team in the NHL, so Winnipeg’s deficiencies weren’t as obvious as they escaped with a 4-3 win.

But there was no hiding from a desperate Blues club that is trying to stay above water in the ultra-competitive Central. St. Louis is now just two points behind Winnipeg and the , who are tied for top spot.

"Those big divisional games, there’s a lot on the line, it definitely means we need to bring it each and every night, not coast on what our record is right now. We need to continue to focus on every game like we haven’t won," said Scheifele.

After a scoreless first period, St. Louis exploded for three goals in a 7:21 span in the middle frame that essentially put this one away.

A comedy of errors led to the first Blues . Wheeler was unable to clear the zone, and defencemen Myers and appeared to think the other was going after the loose puck. The beneficiary was sniper Vladimir Tarasenko, who ripped a past .

That’s just the 23rd time in 55 games the Jets have given up the first goal. They are now 7-13-3 in those games, compared to 25-1-6 when they open the scoring.

Ivan Barbashev hit the crossbar a few moments later, just as Alex Steen had done in the first period. But Winnipeg’s good fortune couldn’t continue as Patrik Berglund scored on a beautiful redirect off a shot.

Just 1:26 later, Steen made it 3-0 as he buried a juicy rebound given up by Hellebuyck.

Game, set, match.

Winnipeg finally showed a spark with just 2:27 left in the second period as Jack Roslovic fed for a one-timer that went off defenceman ’s lower body and past Jake Allen into the net. The 18th goal of the season for Connor brought the Jets within two.

Patrik Laine made it a one-goal game with just over eight minutes left in the third period, blasting a rocket of a shot on the power play for his 25th of the season. Connor and Wheeler drew the assists.

But Tarasenko snuffed out any signs of life by getting his second of the game just 66 seconds later.

"It’s always disappointing with a performance like that. For the whole game it didn’t seem like we gave any push in any part of the game. Got close there at the end, but gave one back the very next shift. That can’t happen," said Myers.

Jaden Schwartz iced it with an empty-net goal with two seconds left in the game.

Scheifele had a fairly quiet game as he began the night on the top line with Wheeler and Laine. Maurice put on that line to start the third period, bumping Laine down to play with and on the second unit.

Laine survived an injury scare late in the first period when he blocked a shot and then hobbled off to the dressing room. He emerged for the start of the second period.

Scheifele led all Winnipeg forwards with 23:32 of ice time, generating one shot on goal. He won nine of 17 faceoffs.

"Obviously the main thing is it sucks we lost. Had to shake off a little bit of rust early, but felt better and better as the game went on and got more comfortable," said Scheifele.

Maurice said he doesn’t believe this was a case of a letdown caused by getting a top player back in the lineup.

"I didn’t feel that. Something happened over the last two days, I didn’t get them ready to play. Obviously, something happened, we didn’t come to the rink in the right frame of mind to skate," said Maurice.

"When you don’t skate, the mistakes that you make, the disarray in our end of the ice is a function of us having the puck and then not having the puck. We did a lot of things with our legs straight."

Winnipeg continues its 10-game homestand by hosting the Sunday afternoon.

"That was a little out of character for us for sure. Just weren’t moving our feet, myself included. Eighty-two game season, gotta come to work for next game and put this one behind us," said Myers. https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/jets-would-be-olympians-disappointed--took-a- pass-on-games-473636263.html

Jets' would-be Olympians disappointed NHL took a pass on Games

By: Mike Sawatzky

Dmitry Kulikov is quieter than his Russian compatriot Alex Ovechkin, but they agree on at least one thing — NHL players should be at the Winter Olympics for the men's tournament that begins Wednesday.

"He's a vocal guy and he's gonna be saying most of what everybody else is thinking," Kulikov said of Ovechkin, 's biggest international star. "He's played in the Olympics and I know how patriotic he is. I'm the same way. I'd love to play for my country in future Olympics if we ever get a chance — if I make the team."

The veteran defenceman, who's enjoying a career renaissance in Winnipeg after joining the Jets as a free-agent signing last summer, believes the NHL's decision to stay away from the Pyeongchang Games is a missed opportunity. The 27-year-old native of Lipetsk has represented his homeland three times at the world championship (earning a silver medals in 2010 and 2015) but never at the Winter Games.

Perhaps he will get that chance at the next Games in Beijing in 2022. NHL owners opted to stay away from the Olympics for the first time since 1998, citing the 15-hour time difference, insurance-coverage issues, travel costs and a lengthy mid-season disruption among the chief reasons for doing so.

"I haven't played in the Olympics yet and it's once every four years and you don't know if you're going to get that chance again," said Kulikov, who was prepping for Friday's game with the St. Louis Blues instead of Russia's opening game against Slovakia Wednesday in Gangneung, about a half-hour from Pyeongchang.

"Of course, it's the dream of every Russian player growing up to play for your national team in the Olympic Games. Everybody is just kinda disappointed and in their own way just deal with it."

Several Jets would have been strong candidates to represent their countries, including forwards Mark Scheifele (Canada), Blake Wheeler (U.S.), Joel Armia (Finland), Patrik Laine (Finland) and Marko Dano (Slovakia), and defencemen Kulikov and (U.S.) and goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (U.S.).

Team Canada, which opens against the Swiss Thursday, is competing in Group A along with host South Korea, Czech Republic and Switzerland.

"I wish the NHL was at the Olympics right now but that didn't happen," said Scheifele, who will be cheering on friends and current Canadian players Eric O'Dell and Derek Roy. "Hopefully, for the the next one, NHL players get to go. It's a pretty special event to get a chance to go to and not everyone gets to, so hopefully they figure it out by the next one."

Armia, in the middle of a breakout season with the Jets, admits his Olympic aspirations have always been overshadowed by ambitions of playing in the NHL.

"It's a lot more (about) playing here," Armia said. "Well, which one would you choose?"

He still believes the Olympics are an essential experience for top players.

"I think it's the biggest national team tournament you can be in," he said. "I hope I can play there. I think NHL players should be in the Olympic Games."

Veteran Jets blue-liner Tyler Myers has represented Canada at the under-18 level (2008), under-20 (2009) and senior worlds (2010) and he believes there is overwhelming support from the players to participate at the Olympics.

"I think we would like to be there," he said. "I'm basically on the outside looking in and I don't know all the details, but I'm sure most of the players around the league would say we'd like to be there. When you think of the Olympics it's a pretty special event and it doesn't mean we won't be cheering on Canada when we're watching and hope they do well, but certainly, as players I'd say we'd definitely like to be there."

Left-winger Nikolaj Ehlers, meanwhile, desperately wants to play in the Olympics someday. He was a member of the Danish national team that travelled to an Olympic qualifying tournament in Minsk, Belarus, in September 2016. The Danes lost two of three games and were eliminated while the surprising Slovenians earned an Olympic berth.

"We had a pretty good team, we should've won," said Ehlers. "For me, coming from a small country like Denmark... it would've been so huge. I would've loved being there if it meant playing for Denmark at the Olympics.

"The Olympics are one of the biggest things you can go to and playing for your country is huge, too. It would've been amazing." https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/jets/mark-scheifele-returns-to-the-ice-tonight- on-the-no-1-line-473616363.html

Mark Scheifele returns to the ice tonight on the No. 1 line

By: Mike Sawatzky

Mark Scheifele will play his first game for the Winnipeg Jets in more than six weeks tonight and his coach has no plans to ease him back into the lineup.

Scheifele will resume his spot on the club's No. 1 line, centering wingers Blake Wheeler and Patrik Laine against the visiting St. Louis Blues (7 p.m., TSN3, TSN 1290), and with a normal workload that job entails. Scheifele missed 16 games with an upper-body injury.

"Just throw him into his normal role — it's what he understands, it's how he prepares for the game," said Jets head coach Paul Maurice following the club's pre-game skate Friday morning. "We'll ask him just to monitor his shift length. Not make a change from normal but not get into extended situations if he can... He had an upper-body injury, he's been skating, he's been pushing himself so he has that advantage. Conditioning's not an issue from a base. He's a very, very fit man. And then he needs to get right back to being as good as he can be in normal game shape, game quickness...

"There's no reason to think he can't jump right back out and be a great player."

Scheifele was pleased to watch his teammates, who fashioned an 11-2-3 record in his absence with Wheeler assuming a heavy workload at centre.

"They've been solid each and every game," said Scheifele. "It's been awesome to watch. Seeing all the boys play the way they have and get the wins they have. It's been fun to watch but obviously it sucks being on the sidelines and not being able to do anything."

Scheifele, who racked up 15 goals and 38 points in 38 games before getting hurt on Dec. 27, has been a full participant in practice for the past week and is eager to get going.

"It's been six weeks since I played a game and I think it's just preparing yourself to play the game you've always played," said Scheifele. "Not focusing on trying anything new. Just getting back to what made you succeed in the past."

Wheeler's experience at centre, he said, should be helpful in the longer term.

"I played wing at the World Cup or the world championship... and I always think that the experience you get playing another position helps you in your position," said Wheeler. "You do see what it's like from the other side. You understand positioning-wise what a winger could be going through or what a centreman could be going through at certain times — something you maybe never understood (before)."

NOTEWORTHY: Goaltenders Steve Mason and Michael Hutchinson remain sidelined with concussion although Mason may be closer to returning. "Steve skated again today (before practice),so that's a positive." Eric Comrie has been recalled from the AHL's Manitoba Moose to back up starter Connor Hellebuyck. https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/jets/shovels-at-the-ready-473603853.html

Shovels at the ready During commercial breaks, it's the Winnipeg Jets Ice Crew's turn to hit the ice

By: David Sanderson

During the Jan. 31 game between the Winnipeg Jets and Tampa Bay Lightning — a tilt the home side won 3-1 — Jets forward Matt Hendricks logged just over nine minutes of icetime, while his linemates Brandon Tanev and Kyle Connor clocked in at 10:19 and 10:26 respectively.

Compare that to Douglas Arnold, Emily Carey and Casey Gall, each of whom spent roughly 14 minutes buzzing around Bell MTS Place's ice surface, during that same contest.

Who are Arnold, Carey and Gall, you ask?

They’re part of the 11-person, on-ice crew that’s responsible for shovelling the entire, 200-foot- by-85-foot playing surface during breaks in the action at Jets home games, so superstars such as Blake Wheeler and Patrik Laine have a smooth track to weave their magic on.

"I never really thought of it that way but yeah, I guess we are out there more than some of the players, on certain nights," says Arnold, who’s been a member of the unit — they call themselves "the squad" — ever since the Jets returned to Winnipeg, in time for the 2011-12 season.

As mandated by the league, Arnold and his cohorts vacate their post in the southwest corner of the rink three times per period, as close to the 14-, 10- and six-minute marks as possible. Fast on their skates, they have just over 90 seconds to scoop up approximately two 40-gallon receptacles’ worth of slush and ice shavings per shift, before play resumes.

"There’s a light by the box area that gets turned on to indicate TV timeouts," Arnold explains, "and when the two guys manning the gates see it turn red, they open the doors, stand back and away we go."

If you’ve never attended an NHL game in person, you might not be aware ice-cleaning teams are a thing. Because they perform their duties while viewers at home are being treated to extended commercial breaks (yes, we get it, Tim Hortons now serves its sandwiches on a croissant), they generally aren’t caught on-camera unless they’re tackling another of their assignments — fetching caps that have been tossed from the stands, to toast a hat trick.

Although little exists in the way of research, it seems ice teams came into being midway through the 2000-01 NHL campaign, after a league executive reportedly suggested rink personnel do something about the buildups of ice fragments that were slowing down play along the boards. In subsequent seasons, that directive was expanded to include the goal creases, then the offensive zones and finally, in time for the start of the 2015-16 campaign, the full playing area.

Arnold chuckles, observing some goalies prefer a scuffed-up crease, and, for a spell, refused to budge from their net until referees bade them to the bench along with forwards and defensemen, so ice teams could complete their work.

The approach to the task varies from franchise to franchise. While some crews, like Winnipeg’s, are all business, and dress conservatively in team-issued sweat jackets coupled with black yoga pants for women or black track pants for men, other clubs’ squadrons — many of which are all- female — sport skimpy outfits more suited to titillating ticket-holders than tidying trapezoids. (Without going into too much detail, we’ll direct you instead to www.totalprosports.com, where you can punch "15 hottest NHL ice crews" in the search engine, to get a gander at what we’re talking about.)

Nelson Nenka is the ice-team’s in-game supervisor. He got his start in the operations department with the original Jets, back when you would have been presumed to have taken an elbow to the head if you proposed giving the Winnipeg Arena’s ice surface a quick swipe in the middle of a period.

"For sure, this job didn’t exist in the ‘80s and ‘90s, but that was a different era, altogether," he states. "The players nowadays are bigger and faster. They skate way harder and are always starting and stopping, which kicks up tons more snow than back in the day, when some guys were just out there, floating around."

One of Nenka’s responsibilities is helping hire new team members. He and his associates don’t take applicants’ word for it, mind you, when they state they’re comfortable on a pair of blades, during the interview process.

"After we sit down with them, we have an on-ice tryout where we get them to skate around the face-off circles," he says. "Once we’ve established they’re strong on their feet, we hand them a shovel and tell them to try it again. What we’ve learned is you can be a great hockey player or figure skater but leaning forward and pushing 10 pounds of snow with a 48-inch-wide shovel probably isn’t something you’re used to. I had one guy two years ago who was a fantastic skater but the moment I gave him the shovel, down he went."

How efficient is the Jets crew? Well, besides post-game "report cards" filled out by the referees and linesmen that almost always result in a score of "excellent," Nenka says the NHL’s head office once requested video of their "flying V" formation, which sees team members symmetrically spread out like a flock of geese, to better collect whatever debris is plowed aside by the person directly in front of them.

"The way I understand it, the way we do things here kind of launched how the rest of the league was told to do it, too," Nenka says with a hint of pride.

Emily Carey’s usual position is at the front of the V, where she sets a torrid pace for those fanned out behind her. Carey, in her fifth season with the team, says hers is a perfect part-time job, not only because it offers a front-row vantage point of the action, but also because she knows exactly when she’ll be working, months ahead of time.

"The home schedule usually comes out in July so it’s pretty easy to map things out around school and stuff," says Carey, a University of Manitoba student who plans to graduate as an occupational therapist. "Plus, because we now have another group of people who do this same thing at Moose games, it’s not too difficult to switch shifts, if one of us has an exam or anything."

Carly Mastromonaco, who’s been part of the ice crew since 2014, says flying around the rink some 40 games a year affords her a bit of a workout, in addition to a steady paycheque.

"I’m taking my bachelor of science at U of M and between school and work, it’s not always easy to get to the gym," says the former ringette player, laughingly remarking "oh, for sure," when a scribe muses it must have been difficult to fit her surname on the back of a jersey, during her playing days. "And because I’m small, it’s not always easy to push the snow — especially that first scrape of the period — so yeah, I’m definitely huffing and puffing by the time I get back here."

Because Mastromonaco is positioned at the tail-end of the formation, she’s the person responsible for manicuring the ice along the boards, directly in front of the teams’ benches - meaning she sometimes gets — how can we put this gently? — a mouthful from the players.

"A few games ago, I was going by just as one of the guys — I can’t remember who — was taking a drink of water from his bottle," she says. "Sure enough, the second I skated past him, he spit it out, catching me flush in the face. I’m pretty sure I heard him yell ‘sorry,’ but that’s OK, it’s not like he did it on purpose."

Shane From, introduced by Nenka as the speediest skater of the bunch, says he couldn’t believe his luck when he landed a spot on the team, a month before the Jets 2.0’s inaugural season. (A bit like the TV show The Bachelor, where being granted a rose means you’re safe for another week, if you’re handed a shovel at the end of ice crew tryouts, you know you’ve survived the cut.)

From says he and his co-workers adopt a strict, don’t-speak-unless-spoken-to approach when it comes to interacting with NHL stars, but admits he often catches himself thinking, "I can’t believe I’m literally two feet away from or Carey Price."

"The other crazy thing is realizing just how big some of these guys are," he continues, speaking loud enough to be heard over the pre-game, player introductions. "I remember one of my first games, reaching down to pick up a bucket of pucks after warmups and seeing ( defenceman Zdeno) Chara right beside me. I swear, on skates it looks like he’s 10 feet tall.

From, who fell in love with hockey "when I was, like, six months old," says walking through the door at Bell MTS Place feels less like reporting for work than being paid to have Jets season tickets.

"I also work at a drop-in centre for kids, and they think what I do here is the coolest thing, ever. Seriously, I wouldn’t trade this for anything in the world."

Winnipeg Sun http://winnipegsun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/winnipeg-jets/singing-the-blues-jets-flat-in-loss-to- central-division-rival

Singing the Blues: Jets flat in loss to Central Division rival

By Ken Wiebe

Horse (crap).

Winnipeg Jets head coach Paul Maurice didn’t mince words and got straight to the point, addressing the media moments after his team was thumped 5-2 by the St. Louis Blues on Friday night.

“It hasn’t been an accountability issue in here, we’ve played pretty darn well at home. We were horse (crap) tonight,” said Maurice. “That’s a technical term for our game. Nobody is in a good mood and you’re angry with it. You don’t like to get beat like that. We got beat in St. Louis and played one hell of a game. We weren’t any good tonight and didn’t deserve to win the game.

“The foundation of our game is skating. Everything good comes from it. When you don’t skate, the mistakes that you make, the disarray in our end of the ice is a function of us having the puck and then not having the puck. We did a lot of things with our legs straight.”

It was the first outright loss on home ice for the Jets since getting smoked 5-1 by the back on Dec. 14.

There were also plenty of similarities to a 5-2 loss to the back on Oct. 27.

“We don’t skate well, so it looks like we’re not putting any effort in. That’s not an issue with our club,” said Maurice. “We did that against Chicago, we did that against Columbus, those are our last three regulation losses (at home) and they’re spread out over four months. So, it’s not how we play.”

The Jets, who are 20-4-3 at Bell MTS Place this season, continue a 10-game homestand on Sunday against the New York Rangers.

Maurice is right, that isn’t how the Jets have played – at least not often this season.

But when they don’t skate, the Jets look like an ordinary team.

“Our biggest challenge was us. It wasn’t them,” said Jets defenceman Tyler Myers. “We just didn’t come to play. We’ll have a short memory on that one. Yeah, that was a little out of character for us, for sure. Just weren’t moving our feet, myself included.

“It’s always disappointing with a performance like that. For the whole game it didn’t seem like we gave any push in any part of the game. Got close there at the end but gave one the very next shift. That can’t happen. Like I keep saying, get to work for next game.”

Having top centre Mark Scheifele back in the lineup after missing the past 16 games with a suspected shoulder injury was supposed to provide the Jets with an emotional lift.

Instead, the Jets were a bit loose defensively and didn’t generate much offensively against a Central Division rival.

The Blues were playing on consecutive days while the Jets were well rested, with three days to prepare for this match-up.

For whatever reason, the Blues seemed to have a little extra zip in their collective step while the Jets were flat.

“They came out and looked ready to go. They played a game (Thursday) night, we were all going to bed when they were getting on a plane to leave St. Louis,” said Jets captain Blake Wheeler. “The fact they come into our building and have more energy than us is a little bit concerning.”

Even the Jets power play, which has been incredibly important throughout the course of the season, was flat for much of the contest – unable to get set up for much zone time, at least until the third period.

With Jay Bouwmeester sitting in the box, Blues defenceman broke his stick, essentially making it a two-man advantage for the Jets.

All Patrik Laine needed was a small window to rip a slapper past Jake Allen to make it a one- goal game.

Albeit momentarily.

Just 66 seconds later, Blues sniper Vladimir Tarasenko collected a loose puck off the end boards and roofed his shot – restoring the two-goal cushion.

Tarasenko had gone six games without a goal, but the Jets had no answer for him on this night.

Jets left-winger Kyle Connor had the other goal for the Jets and added an assist, giving him three goals and six points during the past five games.

It might only be one game out of 82, as Myers mentioned, but it’s a costly one for the Jets.

During a stretch where the Jets hoped to put some separation between themselves and the folks applying pressure in the Central Division, they lost two valuable points to a Blues team that’s now just two points behind them – though Winnipeg does hold two games in hand.

“Every team is good in this league. Those big divisional games, there’s a lot on the line,” said Scheifele, who led all forwards with 23:32 of ice time in his return, recording one shot on goal. “It definitely means we need to bring it each and every night, not coast on what our record is right now. We need to continue to focus on every game like we haven’t won.”

With just one head-to-head meeting left between the two clubs later this month in St. Louis, the Jets will attempt to park this game and move on.

With 27 games left in the regular season and a sprint to the finish line already ongoing, they don’t really have any other choice. http://winnipegsun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/winnipeg-jets/scheifele-remains-hopeful-about-future- olympicsfilling-the-void-on-back-endmason-making-minor-progres

Scheifele remains hopeful about future Olympics…Filling the void on back end…Mason making minor progres

By Ken Wiebe

If Mark Scheifele had his way, he’d be preparing to represent Team Canada at the Olympics.

Although he’d long come to grips with the fact NHLers won’t be participating in the 2018 event, the Winnipeg Jets centre has his sights on Beijing in 2022.

“Obviously, I wish the NHL to be at the Olympics right now, but that didn’t happen. Hopefully, for the next one, NHL players get to go,” said Scheifele, who returned to the Jets lineup on Friday after missing the previous 16 games with a suspected shoulder injury. “It’s a pretty special event to be able to get to go to and not everyone gets to, so hopefully they figure it out by the next one.”

Scheifele, a well-known hockey lover, still plans to check out as much of the Olympic hockey action as he can.

“Depending on the time change, obviously. When I’m able to watch, I’m definitely going to be tuning in,” said Scheifele. “I’ve got some friends on the team (former Jets forward) Eric O’Dell, Derek Roy, guys like that. So you want to see them do well and see how they’re doing.”

As it stands, Scheifele has enough on his plate to focus on these days.

With 27 games left in the regular season, he’ll be trying to get back up to speed as quickly as he can and get right back into the rhythm he was in before being sidelined since Dec. 27.

“Just trying to get back into my game, the game I know how to play,” said Scheifele. “It’s been six weeks since I’ve played a game. It’s preparing yourself to play the game you’ve always played. Not focusing on trying anything new, just getting back to what has made you succeed in the past and do what it takes to help this team win.”

Jets head coach Paul Maurice wasn’t planning on easing Scheifele back into the lineup against the Blues.

“Throw him right into his normal role,” Maurice said following the morning skate. “It’s what he understands and it’s how he prepares for the game. We’ll ask him to monitor his shift length. Not make a change from normal, but not get into extended situations if he can. He had an upper- body injury, he’s been skating and he’s been pushing himself so he has that advantage.

“Conditioning is not an issue. From a base, he’s a very fit man. He needs to get right back to being as good as he can. Unless I see anything different, I won’t go onto the bench thinking about Mark any differently than I did prior to his injury.”

Scheifele saw some benefits from watching many games from the press box and in recent days, he spent a lot of time checking out his own video clips to help him prepare.

“Things that I do in each area of the rink, whether it’s defensive, offensive or whatever it is,” said Scheifele. “Trying to get that visual in my head of what it looks like, what it should feel like and then incorporate that in practice.”

Pulling together on back end Although the sample size is small, the Jets have been doing a good job in the early stages of being without defenceman , who averages just over 22 minutes per game and has spent the bulk of the season on the top pairing with Josh Morrissey.

Much like how the Jets pulled together without Scheifele, the defence corps has taken a “by committee” approach to try and pick up the slack.

“(Trouba) plays a lot of minutes and in key situations, but with our depth on the blue line, to handle a guy like that going down, we had to mix the pairings up and fill that hole,” said Jets defenceman Dmitry Kulikov. “But we’ve done a pretty good job of keeping teams off the dangerous scoring chances and off the scoresheet.”

Kulikov has shown well since sliding onto the right side (his off side) on the third pairing with Ben Chiarot after his usual partner, Tyler Myers, was promoted to the top pairing with Morrissey.

“The guys we’ve lost along the way have been big losses, but you kind of wake up the next morning and you have to keep going,” said Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey. “The league doesn’t stop because you have an injury to a star player and other teams aren’t going to take it any easier on you. We’ve really stepped up through some of the injuries we’ve had and had guys come in and do an outstanding job at filling some of those voids.

“Obviously, you want to have a full lineup in there all of the time, but that’s just not the case in pro sports. We’ve done a pretty good job of handling it.”

Holding pattern for goalies Things remain status quo for the Jets injured goalies Steve Mason and Michael Hutchinson, both of whom are out with a concussion.

There wasn’t much new to report and neither goalie’s return is imminent, though Mason took a small, yet important step this week by light skating on consecutive days.

“Nothing has changed for Michael (Hutchinson),” said Maurice. “Steve (Mason) skated again, so that’s a positive that he goes (on) back-to-back (days). That’s all we’re looking for now. That once he starts something, that he can feel good for the rest of the day and then he’ll do it again for tomorrow, until we get enough time in on that and then you just gradually raise the intensity level of that practice. But the back-to-back was a good sign.”

For the time being, the backup job belongs to Eric Comrie and it will be interesting to see if Maurice gives him a start before this homestand is over or if he continues to ride Connor Hellebuyck.

Hellebuyck appeared in his 45th game out of 55 on Friday night and is already closing in on his career-high for games played (56), which was set last season when he made 53 starts.

Canadian Press https://www.chrisd.ca/2018/02/09/vladimir-tarasenko-scores-twice-blues-end-jets-home-point- streak-10-games/

Vladimir Tarasenko Scores Twice, Blues End Jets’ Home Point Streak at 10 Games

By Judy Owen, The Canadian Press

WINNIPEG – Winnipeg Jets head coach Paul Maurice bluntly assessed his team’s overall performance after a 5-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues at home on Friday.

“We were horseshit tonight. That’s a technical term for our game,” he said.

“Nobody is in a good mood and you’re angry with it. You don’t like to get beat like that. We got beat in St. Louis and played one hell of a game. We weren’t any good tonight and didn’t deserve to win the game.”

Jake Allen wanted to make sure his club turned their luck around against the Jets and did his part with 20 saves. Vladimir Tarasenko struck twice as the Blues used a trio of goals in the second period to help propel them to the win.

“This team has pretty much spanked us around the last three years,” Allen said. “They beat us every time last year. We had a win at the start of the year, but they pretty much spanked us both those games so we needed to show them that we’re not intimidated.”

The Jets went into the game winning seven of the last eight meetings between the NHL Central Division rivals, including all five games last season. In mid-December, the teams split a pair of shutouts.

After defeating Colorado 6-1 Thursday, the Blues (34-20-3) mounted a 3-0 lead against the Jets.

Tarasenko, Patrik Berglund and scored in a span of seven minutes and 21 seconds. Tarasenko added his 23rd goal of the season in the third period after Winnipeg had closed the gap to 3-2. Brayden Schwartz scored shorthanded into an empty net and also had an assist.

Kyle Connor and Patrik Laine scored for the Jets (32-14-9), who saw an eight-game point streak (6-0-2) halted. The loss also ended Winnipeg’s 10-game point streak (9-0-1) at home.

Connor Hellebuyck made 22 saves for the Jets, who were playing their fifth game of a 10-game homestand (3-1-1).

Winnipeg had Mark Scheifele back on the ice for his first game since a Dec. 27 upper-body injury. The top-line centre had missed 16 games.

“Obviously the main thing is it sucks we lost,” Scheifele said. “Had to shake off a little bit of rust early, but felt better and better as the game went on and got more comfortable.”

Sloppy attempts by a number of Jets to get the puck out from behind their net led to the first goal against.

St. Louis forward Brayden Schenn ended up getting the puck in the corner and passed it out to Tarasenko in the circle and he fired a high shot past Hellebuyck’s blocker side at 4:18. It was Tarasenko’s first goal in seven games.

Berglund redirected in a shot by defenceman Robert Bortuzzo at 10:13, then 86 seconds later Steen one-timed a rebound that went by Hellebuyck at 11:39 to make it 3-0.

Connor got the Jets on the board with 2:27 left in the period when his one-timer from the slot went off Blues defenceman Vince Dunn and past Allen for his 18th goal.

The Blues’ record when leading after two periods this season climbed to 26-0-1.

The Jets had a pair of power plays midway through the period and Laine made good on the second one, blasting a high rocket past Allen at 11:39, but Tarasenko added his second of the game just over a minute later to pad the lead.

“(Laine) shoots the puck harder than anyone in the league,” Allen said. “I’d put him up there against anyone. It’s not even close.

“(His shot) was sort of through a few bodies so I didn’t really get a good pick up on it, but still he’s got the laser.”

Winnipeg hosts the New York Rangers on Sunday afternoon. St. Louis returns home to take on Pittsburgh the same day.

NHL.com http://winnipegsun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/winnipeg-jets/hutchinson-out-with-concussion-comrie- on-his-way

Blues defeat Jets, move within two points of Central Division lead Allen makes 20 saves for St. Louis to spoil Scheifele's return for Winnipeg by Scott Billeck / NHL.com Correspondent

WINNIPEG -- Vladimir Tarasenko scored two goals, and the St. Louis Blues pulled within two points of the Central Division lead with a 5-2 win against the Winnipeg Jets at Bell MTS Place on Friday.

The Blues are in third place with 71 points, two behind the Jets and Nashville Predators.

"I think it was a really good effort with Colorado [a 6-1 win Thursday] and especially tonight in this building," Tarasenko said. "It's maybe one of the hardest buildings in the League to play and we're really happy to get a win today."

Jets forward Mark Scheifele returned after missing 16 games with an upper-body injury sustained in a 4-3 win against the Oilers on Dec. 27. He played 23:32, had one shot on goal and was minus-1.

"Obviously the main thing is it [stinks] we lost," Scheifele said. "Had to shake off a little bit of rust early, but felt better and better as the game went on and got more comfortable."

Patrik Berglund, Alexander Steen and also scored for the Blues (34-20-3), who scored three goals in 7:21 in the second period. Jake Allen made 20 saves.

Kyle Connor and Patrik Laine scored for the Jets (32-14-9), who lost for the first time in regulation in their past 11 home games (9-1-1), dating to a 5-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Dec. 14. Connor Hellebuyck made 22 saves.

"They came out and looked ready to go," Jets forward Blake Wheeler said. "They played a game last night, we were all going to bed when they were getting on a plane to leave St. Louis. The fact they come into our building and have more energy than us is a little bit concerning."

Tarasenko made it 1-0 at 4:18 of the second period -- his first goal in seven games -- on a wrist shot from the right circle that beat Hellebuyck high on his blocker side.

Berglund deflected a pass from Robert Bortuzzo in the high slot to make it 2-0 at 10:13, and Steen scored 1:26 later to make it 3-0 with his 12th off a rebound.

"Our biggest challenge was us," Jets defenseman Tyler Myers said. "It wasn't them. We just didn't come to play tonight. We'll have a short memory on that one, come back tomorrow and get to work. Get ready for the next game."

Connor pulled the Jets within 3-1 at 17:33, his one-timer hitting Blues defenseman Vince Dunn in front before going past Allen.

Laine scored his 25th -- and 14th on the power play -- at 11:39 of the third period to make it 3-2.

"He shoots the puck harder than anyone in the League," Allen said. "I'd put him up there against anyone. It's not even close. It was sort of through a few bodies so I didn't really get a good pick- up on it, but still he's got the laser."

Tarasenko scored 1:06 later for a 4-2 lead, and Schwartz scored into an empty net with three seconds remaining to make it 5-2.

Goal of the game Tarasenko's second of the game, at 12:45 of the third period.

Save of the game Allen's save on Laine's wrist shot at 8:30 of the third period.

Highlight of the game Laine's power-play goal at 11:39 of the third period.

They said it "I know they're ahead of us in the standings and they're a great hockey team, but it was a good response, especially when it's on probably one of the toughest back-to-backs we'll have all year. Late night, early morning. It was really good to see from my end what the guys were doing out there." -- Blues goalie Jake Allen

"We're [not going to take] a hard look at it like we did after the last two losses we had at home. It hasn't been an accountability issue in here, we've played pretty darn well at home. We were horse [crap] tonight. That's a technical term for our game. Nobody is in a good mood and you're angry with it. You don't like to get beat like that. We got beat in St. Louis and played one hell of a game. We weren't any good tonight and didn't deserve to win the game." -- Jets coach Paul Maurice

Need to know Steen has 12 points (six goals, six assists) in his past 11 games. … Connor has six points (three goals, three assists) in his past five games. … The Blues played without defenseman Joel Edmundson, who had surgery to repair a broken forearm sustained in a 6-1 win against the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday.

What's next Blues: Host the on Sunday (12 p.m. ET; NBC, TVAS, NHL.TV) Jets: Host the New York Rangers on Sunday (3 p.m. ET; NHLN, TSN3, MSG+, NHL.TV)

St. Louis Post-Dispatch http://www.stltoday.com/sports/hockey/professional/energetic-blues-pass-rugged-test-at- winnipeg/article_e88bc80b-4ae4-5354-93b0-6fff1bbb4bbb.html

Energetic Blues pass rugged test at Winnipeg

By Tom Timmermann St. Louis Post-Dispatch

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA • The corner of Portage and Main in downtown Winnipeg is often referred to as the coldest intersection in Canada, and the Blues’ offense over the past two months has seemed every bit as cold.

On a day when the temperature was in the single digits in Canada’s Gateway to the West, the Blues’ offense, which re-ignited against Colorado on Thursday, scored five times and outplayed the Jets for most of the game in a 5-2 win at Bell MTS Place on Friday.

On Tuesday, when the Blues were getting thumped by Minnesota, it seemed like it would be a cold day in hell before the Blues could put together a game like this. Turns out they just needed a cold day in central Canada.

“It’s about all we could ask for as coaches, that’s for sure,” said Blues coach Mike Yeo, “and I think what they could ask for from each other. It was similar for them as last night. Guys were competing for each other.”

Tuesday’s loss to Minnesota now seems a million miles away. Instead of falling six points behind Winnipeg and dropping into fourth place in the Central, the Blues are two points back of the Jets and stay ahead of Dallas. The Blues went 2-1 in a run of three games against Central Division opponents and play two more next week after a game with Pittsburgh on Sunday.

“We all said we needed to bounce back after that game,” said right winger Vladimir Tarasenko, who scored two goals Friday after going six games without one. “It’s most important not only to say it but to do it. I think it was really good effort with Colorado and tonight in this building, which may be one of hardest buildings to play in, we’re really happy to get a win today.”

It was a tough back-to-back for the Blues, who played at home against Colorado on Thursday, won, flew to Winnipeg, got to the hotel about 2:30 a.m., then went out Friday night against a team that has the best home record in the league. The Blues seemed to pick up where they left off against Colorado, following a six-goal game with a five-goal game. The energy level stayed high, even without a fight on the opening faceoff.

“It’s contagious, no question,” said Yeo. “We were going out right from the drop of the puck, doing things the right way. They sent a message to their teammates. We knew we were going to need everybody tonight. We knew what a tough test this was going to be.”

“It was a good response, probably the toughest back-to-back we have all year,” goalie Jake Allen said. “It was good to see that from my end what the guys were doing out there.”

Allen made just his second start since Jan. 9 (he came off the bench in two other games), and it was a tough spot to be thrown into, going up against one of the league’s top offensive teams, and one that just got one of its best players, center Mark Scheifele, back from an injury. Allen stopped 20 of the 22 shots he faced and got his first win since Dec. 23. He also passed Grant Fuhr for third on the all-time Blues win list with 109.

“If not for our goalies, we’d be in a worse spot,” said Tarasenko, who started the scoring and then got the one in the third period that gave the Blues a two-goal lead after Winnipeg had cut a 3-0 lead to 3-2 with 8:21 to play. “They did a lot of great jobs. They’ve been great all year. They’re the most important part of our team.”

It was a team effort. Allen made key saves in goal, Tarasenko scored twice, giving him 23 on the season, and Patrik Berglund, Alexander Steen and Jaden Schwartz also scored. The team got two key penalty kills, including one at the end of the second period that may have saved the game, and then held on when Winnipeg had a two-man advantage in the closing 1:49. The penalty kill, against a team scoring almost 30 percent of the time it has a man-advantage at home, at the end of the second period went so well that Winnipeg fans were booing their team as they repeatedly failed to get set up in the zone. Had Winnipeg scored, it would have made the score 3-2 and changed the complexion of the game.

“That was a big kill,” center Kyle Brodziak said. “Goals at the end of periods are always a big momentum shift. We knew it was going to be a big kill. I thought the guys did a really good job.”

“I thought the PK was huge at critical parts of the game,” Yeo said.

The Blues got the first goal with 15:42 to go in the second. Steen won a battle for a puck behind the net and got the puck up the boards to Tarasenko, who skated to the dot in the right circle and flicked it into the top corner. Tarasenko had gone six games without scoring, though he had plenty of chances Thursday against Colorado, missing the net on six of his shot attempts in that game.

“For me, it started last night in his game,” Yeo said. “He didn’t get rewarded, but the way he played, the way he was attacking and trying to beat people one-on-one, he seemed to have a different presence in his attack mentality.”

Berglund, who had just one goal in 2018, made it 2-0 when he redirected in a pass by Robert Bortuzzo, who was in the lineup because of Joel Edmundson’s fractured forearm. And then it was 3-0 when Alex Pietrangelo took a shot that Winnipeg goalie Connor Hellebuyck blocked, but the rebound went right to Steen, who had an open side of the net to shoot at. It was the first time Allen had played with a three-goal lead since Dec. 9, the day Schwartz got hurt.

The Blues almost went up 4-0 on a power play, with the puck trickling past Hellebuyck but getting cleared off the line before it could go in. That took on added significance when Kyle Connor scored with 2:27 to go, on a shot that bounced in off the leg of defenseman Vince Dunn. That seemed to revive the Jets, who got a power play with 1:52 to go in the second period after a slash by Schwartz, but the Blues did a great job on the penalty kill.

Then Tarasenko put in the rebound of a shot by Jay Bouwmeester that caromed off the end boards at a tough angle and the Blues had some breathing room with 7:15 at play.

“This team has spanked us the past three years,” Allen said. “They beat us every time last year and we got a win with (Carter Hutton) at the start of year, but they pretty much spanked us both games. We had to show them we’re not intimidated.”

Sportsnet.ca http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/will-jets-success-push-gm-cheveldayoff-active-trade- deadline/

Will Jets’ success push GM Cheveldayoff to be active at the trade deadline?

Winnipeg Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff has taken heat, at times, for a perceived lack of interest in player swaps.

Every trade deadline, the bad joke might go, is a day off for Kevin.

Well, if Cheveldayoff doesn’t touch his roster in 2018, there will be a very good reason for it.

“I think they’re very confident in what they already have,” said Sportsnet’s Sean Reynolds.

Speaking to Ryan Dixon and Rory Boylen on the Tape to Tape podcast, Reynolds re-iterated the idea that Cheveldayoff — with good reason — will be in no rush to move out the young assets Winnipeg has accumulated in favour of short-term help. He thinks they could be in the market for a centre, but also noted the emergence of 21-year-old Jack Roslovic could temper that appetite.

Of course, having confidence in your group doesn’t necessarily mean you’re not in the market for upgrades. If a GM and his staff really think they have something going on, that might be just the time to pull the trigger on an over-the-top piece.

“This is a team that knows its window is opening and I’ve talked to a lot of GMs about this; when your window is open, you do everything you can to throw as many Stanley Cups through as possible,” Reynolds said. “You don’t want to be giving up years where you thought you had a chance.”

One team that openly acknowledged it won’t be winning a championship this year is the New York Rangers. In an open letter to fans, management — with carefully chosen words — acknowledged the club can’t win it all as presently constituted and may have to take a couple steps back before it can really charge forward.

The Rangers’ approach feels groundbreaking and has the potential to seriously alter the deadline landscape. While soon-to-be UFAs like Rick Nash and Michael Grabner were always known to be on the table, we’re now left wondering whether impact skaters like Chris Kreider, Mats Zuccarello and captain Ryan McDonagh — all of whom have contracts running beyond this season — stand a serious chance of being dealt.

“All these guys, suddenly, could be in play,” said Boylen.

If Vancouver Canucks blue-liner Erik Gudbranson is, as many believe, available via trade, Boylen wondered if the might swoop in and slide the veteran beside rookie revelation Travis Dermott.

“If you want to think about pairing an offensive-minded defenceman with a defensive-minded defenceman like you have with Morgan Rielly and Ron Hainsey on the top pair, Gudbranson and Dermott might go off really well,” he said.

TSN.ca https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/video/by-the-numbers-jets-success-without-scheifele~1323546 (VIDEO LINK)

By the Numbers: Jets' success without Scheifele

With Mark Scheifele set to return to the Jets' lineup tonight, SportsCentre takes a look at how Winnipeg fared without their star centre in By the Numbers. https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/video/blues-spoil-scheifele-s-return~1323691 (VIDEO LINK)

Blues spoil Scheifele's return

Dave Poulin said Mark Scheifele looked good in his return to the line-up, but points to a specific match-up issue that the Blues were able to exploit early in the game.

TSN 1290 (AUDIO LINKS) https://www.tsn.ca/radio/winnipeg-1290/mckenzie-i-ve-got-to-believe-nashville-wants-to-add- something-1.993700

McKenzie: I've got to believe Nashville wants to add something

TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie joined The Big Show today, discussing the player rental market within the Central Division, the high prices for rental players across the NHL, the New York Rangers future plans, Winnipeg Jets goaltender injuries as well as the return of Mark Scheifele to the Jets lineup Friday vs St. Louis. https://www.tsn.ca/radio/winnipeg-1290/munz-healthy-myers-was-jets-top-pre-season-gain- 1.993926

Munz: Healthy Myers was Jets top pre-season gain

TSN Jets analyst Brian Munz joined host Kevin Olszewski to tee up Friday's home game against the St. Louis Blues. www.winnipegjets.com https://www.nhl.com/jets/news/jets-suffer-first-regulation-loss-of-10-game-home-stand/c- 295808880 (INTERVIEWS INCLUDED)

Jets suffer first regulation loss of 10-game home stand to Blues Scheifele plays over 23 minutes in first game since Dec. 27 by Mitchell Clinton @MitchellClinton / WinnipegJets.com

WINNIPEG - Despite getting Mark Scheifele back in the line-up for the first time since Dec. 27, the Winnipeg Jets left Bell MTS Place Friday night with a bitter taste in their mouths.

The reason? A 5-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues. The first loss in regulation the Jets (32-14-9) have suffered on home ice since Dec. 14.

In head coach Paul Maurice's mind, the reason for the setback was simple.

"The foundation of our game is skating. Everything good comes from it," he said. "The disarray in our end of the ice are a function of us having the puck, then not having the puck, because we did a lot of things with our legs straight.

"We were standing still most times trying to do something with the puck, and that's not the way we play."

After a scoreless first period, the Blues would score three goals in 7:21 in the second. Kyle Connor and Patrik Laine would get Winnipeg to within one, but that's as close as the Jets would get.

"They came out and they looked ready to go. They played a game last night, and we were all going to bed when they were getting on a plane leaving St. Louis," said captain Blake Wheeler. "The fact they come into our building and they have more energy than us is a little bit concerning."

The game's first goal would come 3:18 into the second, when the Blues took advantage of the Jets not being able to clear the puck. Alexander Steen won a puck battle along the boards and sent a quick pass to Vladimir Tarasenko at the face-off dot to Hellebuyck's left. The Russian snapped a shot just inside the far post on Hellebuyck's stick side for his 22nd goal of the season.

The visitors would make it 2-0 just under six minutes later, when Patrik Berglund tipped home a Robert Bortuzzo shot from the half wall.

A tough second period continued 90 seconds after Berglund's marker, when Steen benefitted from a long rebound that came off Hellebuyck's right pad - the initial shot coming from Alex Pietrangelo.

"Our biggest challenge was us. We just didn't come to play tonight," said Tyler Myers.

"That was a little out of character for us. We just weren't moving our feet, myself included. In an 82-game season, you have to come to work for the next game, and put this one behind us."

The Jets would get on the board after a pair of 2015 first round picks teamed up. Jack Roslovic's initial shot was blocked, but he stuck with it and battled to keep possession. The battle went all the way around the net and up the boards to the hashmarks, where Roslovic chipped a pass to Kyle Connor, who blasted home his 18th of the season off the hip of Vince Dunn, and past Jake Allen.

Winnipeg's power play would strike with just over eight minutes left in the third to draw within one. Patrik Laine unleashed a slapshot from the top of the circle off a rim pass from Connor for his 25th of the campaign.

The Jets were within one, but it wouldn't last.

"For the whole game it didn't seem like we really give any push in any part of the game. It got close there at the end, but we gave one up the very next shift," Myers said of Tarasenko's second of the night - which was the result of a Jay Boumeester shot off the end boards. Tarasenko flipped the puck into the top corner before Hellebuyck could get across.

"We've had moments where we haven't been good, just like any other team. We seem like we've put it away pretty quick this year, and tonight we just didn't. We'll have to do it coming into next game, and I'm confident we will."

Jaden Schwartz, playing in his first game after missing the last eight with an ankle injury, would fire one into the empty net with three seconds left to round out the scoring.

Normally, the Jets would just put this loss behind them and look ahead to the next game.

This time though, Maurice thinks an extended look into tonight's performance is necessary.

"When you have a night and you're playing right and the puck is not bouncing, or you're making mental decisions with the puck, you can kind of cut it off," said Maurice.

"We'll take a look at it. I'm not going to be pulling anybody out and putting them in the stands. These guys have earned, through some really good work over the last three or four months to be a confident group going into the next game. We'll deal with it tomorrow."

ICE CHIPS In his return to action, Mark Scheifele played 23:32, and won 53 per cent of his face-offs.

"Obviously the main thing is it sucks we lost. I had to shake off a little bit of rust early. I felt better and better as the game went on, and I got more comfortable," said Scheifele, who echoed the sentiments of his coach and his captain, saying the Jets need to be better on Sunday with the New York Rangers in town.

"Sometimes we just weren't getting pucks deep. They were having easy exits from their blue line into our end. I think that was just a matter of not being quick, quick on them all over the ice, and letting them make tape-to-tape passes. That's something we can't allow."