'Edgy' Jets get one last skate in before flying to St. Louis

WINNIPEG -It's the day before the games count for real, and Patrik Laine can't wait to get on the plane.
"I'm super excited to go play some cards on the plane again," Laine said with a grin. "It's been a long summer, and it's been a long time since we played an actual game. Tomorrow is game day again. It'll be exciting."
Head coach Paul Maurice could feel that excitement earlier this week. He liked what he saw during Monday's practice, and described the last two skates as "edgy."
He knows his players are tired of talking about the season, and just want the puck to drop.
So does he.

"We just need a game. That's all. I couldn't get off the ice fast enough today," said Maurice.
"I feel that nobody is in a really good mood by the time you leave the ice because you can't practice the way you play. The game is different. Nobody is finishing checks like that. Snarly isn't the right word. They're edgy because they need a game."

Prior to boarding the plane for St. Louis, the Jets skated for about 40 minutes, with the lines looking similar to how they've looked since the final preseason game against the New Jersey Devils:
Connor-Scheifele-Wheeler
Perreault-Little-Laine
Vesalainen-Roslovic-Ehlers
Copp-Lowry-Tanev
Lemieux, Dano
Morrissey-Trouba
Chiarot-Byfuglien
Morrow-Myers
Kulikov
As much as they're excited for the start of the regular season, the schedule begins with a stiff test. First, a two-game road trip with both match-ups against Central Division opponents, followed by the home opener against the Los Angeles Kings.
The Jets were 15-9-2 against the Central last season, and 34-17-4 against divisional foes the last two seasons.
"These divisional games are always huge for us. I think we have the toughest division in the league. Every game matters," said Laine. "Tomorrow is going to be a huge start for us. If we can get four points (on the road trip), that would be awesome, but we have to get our game to the level it needs to be. Tomorrow we'll have a good test right away."

Winnipeg split the four meetings with the Blues last season, but St. Louis' roster looks much different heading into 2018-19 with the additions of Tyler Bozak and Ryan O'Reilly up front.
"They've always been a tough team to play, and we always have some good games against them. I expect that tomorrow too," said Bryan Little.
"You have to play smart and wait for your opportunities. I expect tomorrow, there may be a bit more mistakes than usual. It's the first game. There might be some nerves and some rust still. For the most part, we expect a pretty tight game."

Mathieu Perreault has played 496 regular season games in his career, but even he admits he still gets some nerves before opening night.
"The pace is going to be a lot higher. It's just how it is. We have enough experience now to know that," said Perreault, referencing the experience on the Jets roster with only Kristian Vesalainen playing in his first NHL game tomorrow.
"You just have to come to the rink and work. It's not going to be easy. But we look at our line-up and we feel comfortable going on the ice against anybody on any night. It gives you a lot of confidence and it's a great feeling to have."