Winnipeg Free Press https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/jets/maurice-changes-lines-at-jets-practice- 473698153.html Maurice changes lines at Jets practice By: Mike Sawatzky The Winnipeg Jets may have the NHL's best home record but there's a price to be paid for all that success. "When you're higher in the standings, and we're close to first, you're going to get teams pretty geared up to play you when they come in," said veteran Jets defenceman Ben Chiarot following practice at Bell MTS Place Saturday afternoon. "This is a tough building to play in and when you put where we are in the standings on top of that, teams are going to come out hard. If we're off one night or sleeping to start, we're going to be off on the wrong foot. "And St. Louis was pretty jacked up to play us." The Jets, mostly outplayed by the Blues in a 5-2 loss to St. Louis Friday night, will have another chance to defend home ice Sunday afternoon (2 p.m., TSN3, TSN 1290) when the New York Rangers make their lone visit of the 2017-18 season. Winnipeg was 20-4-2 at home and tied for top spot in the Central Division while the Rangers were three points out of a wild-card playoff spot in the Eastern Conference heading into Saturday's action. On Thursday, Rangers GM Jeff Gorton sent shockwaves through the league when he announced the club was entering a rebuilding phase and warned the club's fans that a sell-off of major assets was probable prior to the Feb. 26 trade deadline. It is believed veterans such as Rick Nash, Michael Grabner, David Desharnais, Nick Holden, Ryan McDonagh and Mats Zuccarello could all be in play. The Rangers have qualified for the post-season for seven straight seasons. What effect might this have on their performance? "It can go both ways," said Chiarot. "They could be completely relaxed and not play as hard as they should or they can relax and play loose and still play hard and they're not afraid to make plays because they're just playing hockey games — not really worried about winning or losing. "I think we'll see a tough game. Those East teams, it's a different style. A little more wide open and New York has some dangerous players." Jets head coach Paul Maurice expects the more dangerous version. "The New York Rangers are in a lot better position to make the playoffs right now, based on that," said Maurice. "They’ve been in the playoffs for a long time, they’ve got some big contracts and some older players there. There’s an awful lot of pressure (in that market). They start the season as part of the contenders (for the Stanley Cup), it doesn’t happen for them and there’s a tremendous amount of pressure on the players. The more veteran the group, the more they feel it. But the pressure is off these guys now. "They’re only three points out (of the playoffs), but the pressure has been lifted for them. I think they’re at their most dangerous now and they’ve got a far better chance of making the playoffs than they did five or six days ago." LINE JUGGLING: Maurice made a significant move in practice, swapping Mathieu Perreault in on the left side with centre Mark Scheifele and right-winger Blake Wheeler while moving Patrik Laine to the right side of the No. 2 line, with Bryan Little and Nikolaj Ehlers. The tweak, Maurice said, was not a response to what transpired during Friday's game. "I liked what Patty was trying to do – he was physical, he was on the puck," said Maurice. "Give Mark a little more time, get him re-acclimated to the game a bit, balance the lines a bit. Nikky’s got a few games here without being overly prolific. I’ve had Little’s line in a role against the other team’s best, at some point that has to transition (to Scheifele's unit). It’s different now that the injuries that we have on what was the (Adam) Lowry line. All those things factored into it." REVERTING TO FORM: The Jets have lost consecutive games in regulation only four times this season and they're not planning to add to that total today. "There's just too many games," said blue-liner Dustin Byfuglien, not expecting a repeat performance of Friday's loss to the Blues. "Our team hasn't shown any of this, this year. It's something where we're not worried — shouldn't be worried. It's just one of those games where it wasn't our night." Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, expected to start against the Blueshirts, was pleased with the response in Saturday's practice. "Our gaps weren't smothering enough in the game," said Hellebuyck. "But today we looked good. Everyone out there, they worked and got back on pace and guys are still feeling the confidence we've been building all year long." Winnipeg Sun http://winnipegsun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/winnipeg-jets/hellebuyck-relishing-heavy-load-jets-no- 1-goalie-taking-steps-to-stay-fresh Hellebuyck relishing heavy load Jets No. 1 goalie taking steps to stay fresh By Ken Wiebe How much is too much? When it comes to the topic of goalies and fatigue, there are a lot of variables to consider and no shortage of opinions being offered. So when Winnipeg Jets All-Star netminder Connor Hellebuyck allows eight goals during his past two starts, it’s natural to wonder whether the heavy workload is beginning to take a toll on him. Hellebuyck has already appeared in 45 of the Jets 55 games this season, leading into Sunday’s matinee with the New York Rangers – which is expected to be his 44th start. For a guy who made 56 appearances (and 53 starts) in his first full NHL season in 2016-17, Hellebuyck is on pace to easily eclipse his career high. Like most goalies, Hellebuyck embraces the opportunity to be leaned on heavily, but he also keeps the bigger picture in mind. So, how many starts would he like to make during the final 27 games in the regular season? “That’s a tough question for me to answer,” said Hellebuyck. “I’m just going to go out and play when my name is called. I don’t want to be burned out for playoffs, but I also would like to get to the playoffs and be the reason we’re going to be part of it. Whatever coach says, I’m going to make due. If that means I have to recover a little bit more in the gym, I’m going to have to do that. “I’m going to have to make sure I’m ready to go.” Hellebuyck has gone 28-7-8 this season with five shutouts, a 2.36 goals-against average and .923 save % – numbers that have him in the discussion for the Vezina Trophy. In recent weeks, Hellebuyck has taken measures to help keep his energy up, including skipping the morning skate on occasion. “It’s about understanding that as an NHL player, you’re not going to feel amazing every single day,” said Hellebuyck. “It’s what you do when you don’t feel amazing to put forth your best effort. By playing a lot of games over the years, I know what it feels like to hit that wall and I’ve finally learned what it takes to get through it.” Currently, the Jets are dealing with a couple of unusual factors when it comes to looking for spots to find a break in the schedule to give Hellebuyck a breather. First and foremost, with Steve Mason and Michael Hutchinson both sidelined with a concussion, Eric Comrie is up from the Manitoba Moose serving as the backup. Comrie is developing nicely and enjoying a strong season, but he has only two games of NHL experience on his resume. And since the Jets are midway through a 10-game homestand, it’s a bit easier for Hellebuyck to find time to recovery between games that are more evenly spaced out. Not having to get on an airplane to travel to a game for roughly four weeks is quite uncommon as well, an obvious benefit at a time of the season when the intensity ramps up. Trying to gauge where a goalie is at when it comes to where his energy level is and when he might need a break all boils down to communication. “Well, you talk to him every day. You do a bit of an accounting in terms of your schedule,” said Jets head coach Paul Maurice. “When they get off airplanes is important. How much practice time, how many days off they take. How they feel about themselves mentally. “If they’re feeling good and confident in their game, they’re more resilient. If they struggle in games or getting bad results, you find fatigue sets in quicker. So you do an awful lot of talking to your No. 1 guy.” But when a guy is about to enter uncharted territory, there are definitely some potential speed bumps to navigate during the stretch drive. “You won’t be blind about it and run him straight through,” said Maurice. “But we’re going back to last season, training him for a job. So we want him to play some games, we want him to get into a bigger number of games and see if he can handle it.