Practice Day Notebook: Feb. 16, 2021

EDMONTON - So what's coming up for an encore?
Six teams in the North Division combined for 29 goals on Monday night and all of those teams will face off in rematches on Wednesday night.
"It depends who gets a vote on that. If the coaches do, it'll be a bunch of 2-1 games," said head coach Paul Maurice. "We're all trying to figure out how to slow the other team down, but you don't want to give up what you're good at. That means some high-scoring games."
For their part, the Winnipeg Jets and Edmonton Oilers put up 11 in their offensively charged tilt at Rogers Place. Six of those came in a wild second period, but when the Jets took the 6-5 lead with 13:38 to go in regulation they were able to lock it down.
On Tuesday, the Jets hit the ice for practice after a video session that Adam Lowry said focused on a few core concepts.

"I think there are some things we can clean up to slow down their transition speeds, slow down some of their transition offense where, all of sudden you have the puck in their zone and before you know it they have a 3-on-2 or 4-on-3 going the other way," said Lowry. "Just in the zone, kind of being aware of their guys and what they like to do, especially Connor and Leon."
Josh Morrissey assisted on Monday's game-winner, as it was his point shot that Blake Wheeler tipped past Mikko Koskinen.

Out of Morrissey's total ice time of 23:20, over 11 minutes of it was spent with Connor McDavid on the ice (according to Natural Stat Trick). Derek Forbort (16:31) and Neal Pionk (12:21) were the only two defencemen who lined up against McDavid more.
Morrissey conceded that players like McDavid - Morrissey's teammate at the 2014 and 2015 World Junior Championships - are going to generate chances. The challenge for defencemen is trying to limit them.
"I think being aware when he is out there - as a five man unit getting back pressure, trying to eliminate some of his open ice," said Morrissey. "But definitely stick on puck and trying to take away his time and space is crucial, but it's easier said that done. We were able to get the win and that is the most important thing - I think we can still do a little bit better of a job on some of their top guys and we'll try to do a better job tomorrow."
While the Jets gave up 45 shots on goal and lost the five-on-five high-danger chances battle 11-6, they still came out with the victory to open the four-game road trip.

There is something to be said for that. Especially in the way it was done, says Lowry.
"They're a dynamic team, they're willing to trade chances and live and die by that game style. It's a dangerous game to play considering the talent they have," said Lowry. "It's important that you manage that space, their ability to do that so that if they do beat a guy they'll have to go through another guy, two guys and their sticks before they are able to get to the net."
HARKINS RETURNS
After missing four games with a lower-body injury, Jansen Harkins returned to the Jets line-up on Monday night. He finished with 8:14 of ice time and had two shots on goal.
His line with Trevor Lewis and Kristian Vesalainen generated some offensive zone time at five-on-five with the scoring chances hovering around even (5-4 in favour of the Oilers).
"I just tried to come out hard and get right into the game, try not to dip my toes in too much," said Harkins. "Our line was playing pretty well. It's easy when you have guys around you that are willing to get on the puck fast and are there to support you. All three of us did a good job feeding off each other."

With veteran Nate Thompson also close to a return (he's been out since Jan. 21 with a soft tissue lower-body injury), the competition for spots in the line-up will ratchet up a level.
"At some point here Nate is going to get the nod, because he does two things and we need it," said Maurice. "We're running pretty thin on our PK right now. If one of the guys I have on the penalty kill takes a penalty, I'm short a guy on the bench that's a penalty killer."
Harkins embraces that challenge. In his eyes, everyone gets better from being pushed.
"It comes with the territory, you just try to compete. At the same time, it's internal," said Harkins. "You want to be the best you can be. Whatever the team is choosing to get the win, you just have to be a good teammate, work hard, and hopefully good things come for you."
One only needs to flip the calendar back just over one year. Harkins earned his first NHL recall on Dec. 18, 2019 and hasn't been out of the NHL since. The 2015 second round pick catapulted himself up the Jets depth chart beginning in training camp that fall, similar to what Kristian Vesalainen was able to accomplish this season.
"They worked hard and got to a good level for us," said Maurice.
"Jansen Harkins played for us last year, we think we know what he can do for us… Kristian has had a great leap forward in his career. He practices like a pro now. He plays hard. We know he's got some skills but he's getting all the pro stuff locked down."

DUBOIS SKATES
Pierre-Luc Dubois returned to Jets practice on Tuesday. He's missed the last two games with a lower-body injury.
"We had a lighter day. He's back on the ice and not really protecting himself," said Maurice.
"I'll have to wait and talk to our trainers to see where he's at. As of now, I don't have him in tomorrow. But he's heading in the right direction."