Byfuglien closing in on return

WINNIPEG -It was a special day for Jets defenceman Dustin Byfuglien as he celebrated his 34th birthday on Wednesday. But the birthday wasn't the only special reason - the blueliner was a full participant in practice after being sidelined on Feb. 14.
"He was good today. We had some two-on-two and three-on-three work which provides some contact and some tight turning and he looks the way he normally would," said Maurice.

"We'll take a look at how he's feeling tomorrow, I don't have him in the lineup for tomorrow night (against the Islanders). We will get another good one in the next one and we will see where he's at."

Byfuglien participated fully during the 40 minute skate and while it is looks unlikely he will be in the lineup Thursday against the Islanders. He is hoping to get some games in before the playoffs begin in two weeks.
"Get the timing back and for me should be able to jump in and play the game pretty good." said Byfuglien.
The Jets defenceman said his injury was on the same side but not in the same spot in an unfortunate run of bad luck. Winnipeg has gone 9-8-1 in the 18 games without the 34-year-old in the lineup.
"They've done a great job. From the goalies to the "D" to the forwards they know that if a guy goes out of the lineup it doesn't really matter," said Byfuglien.
"The next guy comes up and gets the opportunity. They've stepped up and proven that they belong where they are."

The Jets have done a nice job filling the absence of Byfuglien and Josh Morrissey - clinching a playoff berth on Saturday and holding onto the Central Division lead. Having big number 33 back on the ice at game time is something Connor Hellebuyck is looking forward to.
"I think it's huge because he brings such a good presence on the ice," said Hellebuyck.
"He can really shut things down and he brings a lighter mood to the locker room. He's a voice in here and it's good to have him back."
ICE CHIPS
Hellebuyck has consistently said all season that he has been slowly building his game to peak at the right time of year. The numbers say he is bang on especially in the month of March posting a .927 save percentage.
"I like a lot of things in my game. I still got a little time here to be perfect and that's what you need for playoffs," said Hellebuyck who started his 200th career game Monday against Dallas.
"I like a lot of things and I'm excited about where it's going."

With Laurent Brossoit still not practicing with the team, as he works through a lower body injury, Hellebuyck will be counted on to carry the load.
"His March play has been really strong," said Maurice.
"He peaked earlier than people would know because we struggled in the month of February and both our goaltenders played some really fine games in there."
The Jets played the second best defensive team on Monday in the Dallas Stars and the space will be hard to come by again on Thursday with the NHL's top defensive squad coming to town in the New York Islanders. Even as it gets tougher to score goals with the playoffs around the corner, Nikolaj Ehlers is thrilled about what's up next.
"You obviously get motivated for it and get excited for it. It kind of feels like we are getting into that already as a team," said Ehlers.
"I think everyone in here is ready for it but we have to finish off great before we start the playoffs."
After holding a franchise record for almost four years, Saturday Adam Lowry passed the torch to linemate Brandon Tanev for most hits in a season. Tanev recorded seven hits against the Nashville Predators which got him up to 259 breaking Lowry's mark of 256 set back in 2014-15.
"It's good for him. He plays so hard and it's nice for him to have a little record in the books," said Lowry.
"A lot of the things he does doesn't show up on your score sheet and doesn't make the highlight reels. He blocks so many shots and he plays so hard for us. He kind of sets the pace for our line so I'm very happy for him."