Practice Notebook - Apr. 1, 2023

WINNIPEG -Mason Appleton described the 6-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings as a "feel good" game, especially given the fact the Winnipeg Jets scored in many ways, and finally got some bounces to go their way.
That feeling carried right into Saturday's practice at hockey for all centre.
"The room feels right," Appleton said after the 30-minute skate. "We're going to keep this thing rolling. I've got no question about that."
Appleton was right back in his usual spot on Saturday, on the right wing with Adam Lowry at centre and Nino Niederreiter on the left wing.
The trio combined for four points in the win over Detroit, with Niederreiter scoring his 23rd of the season in his first game with Lowry and Appleton as linemates.
"It's fun playing with them because you know exactly what you get," said Niederreiter. "It helps a lot. They're very predictable. They know exactly what they do and what their tendency is."

Besides the fact they combined for a goal, the trio was a lot to handle for the Red Wings. Appleton's line held nearly 62 percent of the shot attempts at five-on-five and generated two high-danger chances, while giving up none.
"At home, we usually get a heavy match against their first line so then you've got to understand you've got to take care of business there first," said Appleton. "Then you can push for offence. It's simple, easy offence. You don't want to force stuff over the blue line or make high risk plays, just make the right play in front of you, and that's what I think we've been able to do."
Truth is, the duo of Appleton and Lowry has been playing well for a while now. If not for a paddle save by James Reimer in San Jose, Appleton would have goals in two of the last four games and four points. Lowry had three goals in a five-game stretch last week, with two of them being game-winners.
Still, it's the final results that matter the most, and head coach Rick Bowness was happy to see a couple bounces in the offensive zone go Winnipeg's way.
"We spent almost seven minutes in their zone, 6:50 I think, and the more time you spend in their zone the more chance you have of getting some good breaks around the net, putting pucks on the net like we did last night," said Bowness. " After coming off that road trip with one win, it was important and we had to win that game last night to keep our playoff hopes alive. We have to keep winning to stay in that playoff hunt. It certainly started last night."

Connor Hellebuyck, who made 23 saves against Detroit, didn't take part in practice on Saturday. Josh Morrissey (illness) also didn't participate, but Bowness says the defenceman is feeling much better.
"We expect him to play tomorrow," said Bowness. "He's probably going to skate tomorrow morning. At this point, talking to him this morning - well, texting with him - he's feeling a lot better."
With Morrissey not on the ice, the Jets line rushes were unchanged from Friday night:
Connor-Dubois-Scheifele
Ehlers-Namestnikov-Wheeler
Niederreiter-Lowry-Appleton
Barron-Stenlund-Kuhlman
Samberg-DeMelo
Dillon-Pionk
Stanley-Schmidt
The next opponent on Winnipeg's schedule is the New Jersey Devils who, like the Red Wings, will be coming into Canada Life Centre on the back half of a back-to-back.
The Devils are one point back of Carolina for top spot in the Metropolitan Division.

"They've got 30 more goals than we have, something like that, and they've given up fewer goals. They're dangerous with the puck," said Bowness. "They're a great rush team, lots of speed, lots of young skill. They're feeling really good about their game right now. They had a big win against the Rangers the other night. This is going to be an elite challenge for us tomorrow."
A fast start was critical for the Jets against Detroit, and the plan is to bring that same pace and intensity against a Devils team that won the first match-up of the season series back at Prudential Center.
"I think yesterday was such a feel good game that there's no way we come out flat tomorrow," said Appleton. "I thought we played a very complete game and were all part of that game. We can win with that game here."
ICE CHIPS
Rick Bowness had a short update on Jets forward Cole Perfetti, who hasn't played since February 19 in New Jersey.
"He's done for a while yet. Nothing new," Bowness said. "He's around anyways. That's the only thing that's changed, he's physically here."
The original timeline was for Perfetti to potentially be available for the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but Bowness couldn't commit to that time frame with the information available on Saturday.