GAMEDAY: Jets vs Blues

WINNIPEG -One day separates the Winnipeg Jets - who have played the most games in the National Hockey League since December 2 - from an 11-day break.
But that's not where their focus is. It can't be.
"We've got to take care of business here," said Jets head coach Rick Bowness. "We're not happy with our last three games, we're not happy if you take a look at the last seven or eight games, there have only been a few good games. Our guys are well aware of that."
Of course, the games Bowness are referring to are the three straight losses the Jets (31-19-1) have suffered, with the latter two coming on home ice to Buffalo and Philadelphia.
This is just the second time this season that the Jets have lost three in a row. They responded with five straight wins (and victories in eight of nine).
The current schedule leaves them with just one game before the break, but Winnipeg wants to make sure it's one that has them playing to their identity.

"We're going to need everyone tonight. All four lines going," said Mark Scheifele. "We're giving teams too much space, too much time. That's the biggest thing from what I see. We have to be a little more aggressive, we've got to make their lives a lot harder."
The Blues would likely respond with the fact that their lives have been tough, especially of late. St. Louis has dropped four in a row and have been outscored 19-8 in that span.

In their most recent loss, they fell behind the Colorado Avalanche 3-0 before pulling it back to 3-2 with 10:20 remaining in the third. Matt Nieto's empty-netter gave Colorado a 4-2 win, but it was St. Louis' fight in the game that stood out to Bowness.
"They've got a big, aggressive defence and they've got a lot of speed and skill up front," he said. "Urgency on our part is to be expected and I'm very confident that we're going to see it."
Divisional games have been Winnipeg's strength so far this season.
They've won both contests against St. Louis by a combined score of 9-2, and are 12-4-0 against the Central, which is the best record in the division.
"We know it's always a big game when we play against a Central Division opponent. So we just want to be good from the get-go," said Scheifele. "We've got to bring our A game tonight, so that has to be our focus. Focus on us and what we can control, and that's all we can do."
Line-up wise, not much will change for the Jets from the group that fell 4-0 to the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday.

Kyle Capobianco, who hasn't played since January 3 against Calgary, will slot in on the blue line for Logan Stanley.
Besides that, the rest of the personnel will be the same, including Connor Hellebuyck getting the start in goal. Hellebuyck was pulled for the first time this season, despite making 26 saves on 30 shots against the Flyers.
In his career, Hellebuyck is 12-4-2 against St. Louis with a 0.935 save percentage and four shutouts - including a 4-0 clean sheet on October 24 this season.
As for the skaters in front of him, they're all looking to respond after Bowness expressed his displeasure with their performance in front of their All-Star goaltender on the weekend.
"When the coach challenges you, you've got to come back up to bat and do your best," said Scheifele, who has 29 goals this season. "That's what every guy in this room is going to do tonight. We obviously know our last few games haven't been our best, and all of us have to be better."
Scheifele noted that when adversity has hit the team in the last three games, the tendency was to try to be the one to make the big play to turn things around.
"Sometimes you have to take a step back and realize you're chasing the game a little bit and revert back to doing the right things," Scheifele said. "Getting pucks deep and making it a lot harder to play against."

The game day routine got off to a good start with a morning skate full of chatter, stick taps, and a quick run through special teams.
How the lines shake out will be evident in warm-up, as the Jets didn't do any line rushes in their preparations.
But when the puck drops, it won't matter how they're lined up. They just need a win.
"We have to make sure we have that energy tonight," said Bowness. "We know we're a very good team and we believe in this group."
Puck drop is set for 7 pm CT.
ICE CHIPS
Mason Appleton remains in a non-contact sweater, but Bowness expects him to be in the line-up when the Jets return from the All-Star break to take on the Chicago Blackhawks on February 11.
David Gustafsson is also expected to start skating during the break.
"He is hoping to be skating on Feb. 9, and then we will see where he is. He will need some time," said Bowness. "I'm sure Mason is tired of all the skating he is doing, and all of the drills."
-- Mitchell Clinton, WinnipegJets.com
Game Notes
The Jets have lost three consecutive games for just the second time this season. Winnipeg has been limited to three goals during the three games. It's the first time since November 19-24 that Winnipeg has scored three goals or less in a span of three games.
The Jets are 8-6-0 in January. The eight victories are tied with the 2018-19 season for the most wins the Jets have had in January. Kyle Connor (8G, 6A), Mark Scheifele (6G, 8A), and Nikolaj Ehlers (4G, 10A) lead the Jets in scoring in January with 14 points.
The Jets are 17-8-0 at Canada Life Centre this season, but have lost consecutive home games for just the second time this season.
The Jets are 12-4-0 against their Central Division counterparts this season, which is tops in the Central. Winnipeg has won seven of their past nine games against Central Division teams, and went 14-6-6 against divisional rivals last season.
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