GAMEDAY: Jets vs Maple Leafs

WINNIPEG -Despite being in opposite conferences, there always seems to be the perfect blend of skill and intensity when the Winnipeg Jets take on the Toronto Maple Leafs (3-2-0).
Just look at last season.
In two meetings in 2021-22, there were a total of 19 goals scored and 114 penalty minutes.
So when the puck drops tonight at Canada Life Centre, anything could happen.
"I think it's just two competitive teams," said forward Adam Lowry. "I know they get a ton of coverage. So obviously, you want to get up. You want to put your best foot forward."

The one difference from last season, despite some roster changes on both teams and a coaching change behind the Jets bench, is that neither team will be playing the second half of a back-to-back.
The first meeting between the two teams last December had Toronto coming into Winnipeg for its second game in two days, and vice versa for the second meeting in late March.
Both teams had Friday away from game action, meaning they'll both be rested and ready to go tonight.
The Jets (2-2-0) are trying to get back into the win column after dropping the finale of a three-game road trip in Vegas on Thursday night. The opening 20 minutes cost Winnipeg that night, as they fell behind 4-0 before ultimately falling 5-2.
"You find out pretty quick that there aren't any easy games in this league, especially with the schedule we've had being on the road and playing top teams," said Morgan Barron. "We've talked about it a lot. That's our division. It's pretty deep top to bottom. You get other teams from these other divisions, like the Leafs, it's just such a deep league and there are players on every team that can bite you."
Head coach Rick Bowness will be back behind the Jets bench after missing the first four games of the season due to COVID-19. He Zoomed into a couple meetings virtually while the team was on the road, but he's happy to be back with the group in person.
"It's very frustrating missing games, which I never do, but stuff happens," Bowness said. "All four games have been very tough, great teams, Toronto is a great team. We have St. Louis coming on Monday - not that we're looking ahead - but it's a tough schedule.
"We're coming off four top teams, we want to be in that conversation with the teams that are elite and that want to be considered Stanley Cup contenders. If we want to be in that conversation we have to find ways to win some of these games."
The morning skate on Saturday was optional, but the only Jets that didn't take part were Josh Morrissey, Nikolaj Ehlers, and Dylan Samberg. The latter two are both nursing lower-body injuries, as Ehlers was put on injured reserve yesterday, retroactive to October 18.
Ehlers won't play Saturday or Monday against the St. Louis Blues.
"He's so dynamic coming through the neutral zone, so much speed," said Lowry. "There's a trickle-down effect, guys have to step up and try and replace him."
Bowness' update on Ehlers is that the forward will hopefully be back in a total of 7-10 days from when he was put on injured reserve. Morrissey took the option for maintenance purposes, but will play tonight.
Connor Hellebuyck will get the start in goal for the Jets after getting the night off in Vegas.
Lowry feels the Jets are still looking for a full 60-minute performance from the group this season.
"I think coming into this year with all the changes we knew there was going to be kind of a learning curve," said Lowry. "There's going to be spurts where you get away from the game and the game you're trying to get to. It's a good test for our tonight to try and put a full game together."
The Jets will have to be at their best against the Maple Leafs, who are coming off a 3-2 overtime win over Dallas on Thursday.
Toronto's line-up will have both Wayne Simmonds and Kyle Clifford, both of whom will be playing their first games with the club this season.
"We're going to play our game and we're going to look after ourselves out there and that's all that matters," said Bowness. "Those two guys you mentioned are great teammates and they're very physical players. We get that. Regardless of who they put on the ice, we have a game plan in place and we're going to stick to the way we want to play the game."
Lowry agrees with his head coach. After all, the two points in the standings are what's most important tonight.
"We have a lot of belief in this group and we believe in the systems, we believe in the coaching staff," said Lowry. "I think it's just a matter of going out and just executing the game plan."
Puck drop is set for 6 pm CT.
-- Mitchell Clinton, WinnipegJets.com
Game Notes
Dating back to last season, the Jets won their past five consecutive home games, outscoring their opposition 19-6 in those five contests. Winnipeg went 23-15-3 at home last season, which ranked 15th in the NHL with 49 points.
The winning side has scored at least four goals in each of Winnipeg's four games to start the season. Winnipeg went 28-1-2 when scoring four goals in a game last season.
The Jets make their Hockey Night in Canada season debut on Saturday. Winnipeg went 5-6-1 in 12 games on Saturdays last season.
Defenceman Neal Pionk has two points in each of his past two games, marking the second time in his career he's had multiple points in consecutive games (Dec. 3-5/21, 4 assists).
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