WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Jets waited four nights to play their first game of the regular season but have been on a busy schedule since, hosting the Anaheim Ducks for their fifth game in eight nights (7 PM CT, TV: Sportsnet One, Radio: 680 CJOB/Power 97).
The Jets beat Colorado 3-2 with spectacular goaltending, solid defensive play and late-game heroics from Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele. Connor tallied his second game-winning goal of the season and the 67th of his career on Wednesday night, extending his lead over Scheifele (65) for the most career game-winning goals in franchise history.
Winnipeg lost top defenceman Josh Morrissey to an upper-body injury, and there will be more information about his availability when the team holds its morning skate at 10:30 CT.
With Morrissey’s status uncertain, the spotlight could shift to the younger players looking to make an impact. Just four games into his NHL career, rookie centre Viggo Björck is still searching for his first point, but the 18-year-old says the transition to the league is feeling more natural with every shift.
“I mean, I think you're definitely getting like more comfortable,” said Björck.
“First game was obviously a bit nervous, and a lot of new stuff, but I think as the game goes on and you get to play more, you get more comfortable.”
Assistant coach Davis Payne says its not just Björck's offensive abiltiy that has impressed him, but the many other aspects of his game as well.
“Just his ability…young guys come in the league, and there’s a lot coming at them,” said Payne on Thursday.
“And we’ve tried to sort of limit that, and at the same time when you’re asking him to make adjustments with the game and understanding certain pieces of the game, he’s been very quick to adapt. And that’s when you know you’ve got a player who’s very conscious on both sides of the puck. I’m not concerned at all about something going in, it eventually will.”
At 18 years and 204 days old, Björck became the seventh youngest player in franchise history to make his NHL debut. Like many players arriving from Europe, he is adjusting to the different pace and style of the NHL.
“Yeah, I mean, I think it's a fast, like a bit of a faster game, a smaller ice and other stuff happening,” said Björck.
“I think that's the (biggest difference). And guys are good in close space. But I think the adjustment is going pretty well.”
Check back here later this morning for the latest lineup updates and quotes from the Jets dressing room.
