11 AND 7 STAYING
Maurice also mentioned on Friday that even if Wheeler ends up playing, he will stick with 11 forwards and seven defencemen. Since the Jets have points in five straight games using that type of lineup you can understand why Maurice wants to keep it that way.
"We're not on a back-to-back and I like the idea that we're getting into a rhythm with this," said Maurice.
"Those guys that play on the fourth line are left wing, centre, right, whatever you tell them. In some ways it wires the bench, they have to pay attention cause I'm moving people around. And I like what Beau (Nathan Beaulieu) has been able to do for our team."
PIONK PASSING
Entering play tonight, Jets defenceman Neal Pionk leads all NHL defencemen with eight assists. The Minnesota product has a helper in five of the teams seven games this season and since he became a member of the Jets organization in 2019-20, Pionk's 76 assists is eighth amongst NHL blueliners.
CHEMISTRY BUILDING
Following the big win on Thursday night in LA, Eric Comrie said that this team is one of the closest groups he's been a part of. That has been Maurice's goal since the start of training camp which has been important since there is a lot of new faces on the roster and has been helped by the fact Winnipeg started the season with six of the first eight games on the road. One of the newest Jets, Brendan Dillon gave full credit to the Jets head coach after practice on Thursday.
"Work hard but be together and enjoy things together. Whether you're 18 or 19 years old coming in for your first training camp or Blake Wheeler coming in for your 100th," said Dillon.
"Make sure you get to know your teammates. I think that just makes you want to perform a little bit better for him. Whether it's on the plane, or on the bus or in the dressing room everyone gets along with each other."
SHARKS STRUGGLING TO SCORE
The Jets opponent tonight has not had an easy time putting the puck in the net as of late. San Jose has lost their last three games after starting the season 4-0 and have only scored twice in their last two contests. The Sharks ran into a hot goaltender on Thursday night when Montreal's Jake Allen stopped 45 shots in a 4-0 Montreal Canadiens win at the SAP Center.
