Little moves to the wing as Jets prepare to host Predators

WINNIPEG -Thursday's practice at Bell MTS Place meant a slightly different look for the Winnipeg Jets.
After playing all season at centre, Bryan Little was on the right-wing for the 50-minute practice with Adam Lowry at centre and Brandon Tanev on the other side.
It was a look the Jets used during last spring's Stanley Cup Playoffs and Little isn't opposed to playing in that spot again.
"I was expecting some changes to be made with the new guys here. Going to wing was a definite possibility… It's different but it's something I don't mind doing," said Little, who has 14 goals and 39 points this season.
"Picking up another centre - and with the depth we had at centre - we have a lot of guys that can play both positions. I knew, especially since the team has been trying to find something that works lately and trying to find the right combinations, that going to wing was a definite possibility."

That wasn't the only tweak head coach Paul Maurice made to the forward lines.
In addition to the Little move, Maurice put Kyle Connor on the wing with Kevin Hayes and Nikolaj Ehlers.
"Just speed on the wings to open a little bit of ice. We know Kevin can make the play and we know he can shoot the puck," said Maurice. "With both of those young men it's always the same thing - play their own individual game and let the other players play off them. So not try to find Kevin or overpass the puck.
"Do the things you're really good at and guys with a few games experience will play off you or read off the play."
The full line rushes heading into Friday's game day against the Nashville Predators looked like this:
Laine-Scheifele-Wheeler
Connor-Hayes-Ehlers
Tanev-Lowry-Little
Perreault-Copp-Roslovic
Beaulieu-Trouba
Chiarot-Niku
Kulikov-Myers
The divisional tilt with the Predators not only closes out the quick two-game home stand, but also starts a run of eight games that see the Jets take on current playoff teams in seven of them.
The Jets trail the Predators by one point in the Central Division standings but hold three games in hand. Both teams are trying to find consistency in their game - the Jets are coming off a tough 3-2 loss to Minnesota while the Predators are 4-5-1 in their last 10 - but the rivalry between the two clubs needs no added boost.

Every time the puck drops between the two teams, it seems to be a classic.
"We haven't had a juiceless game against Nashville in a long time. They've been full of emotion, intensity, and penalties," said Maurice. "They get new guys in, we get new guys in, they're not bragging about their last 10 games, neither are we. But the edge will be right tomorrow."
Earlier in the season, Maurice pointed to a home stand last March where the Jets as a group took a big step. The team went 6-0-0 on that home stand, which concluded with wins over Anaheim, Nashville, and Boston.
It's too early to tell if this stretch in March could do the same, but if it is, there are certain parts of the team's defensive game Lowry wants to see cleaned up.
We've given up a lot of high-quality chances and some high-quality opportunities in some dangerous areas. I think it's going to be important that we get back to being desperate defensively," said Lowry. "When we've had success in the past it's been trying to limit those chances. If they get the one shot, they're not getting the second or third opportunities."

The defensive side of the puck is where Maurice has had his focus for some time - specifically rush chances against. He felt two of Minnesota's goals on Tuesday were related to chances they generated off the rush.
"That's the piece of our game that we've been looking at for a week or two now as they problem starter defensively for our hockey club," said Maurice. "It's really not D-zone coverage. The last goal aside, it's not that. It's rush defence and what happens off chaos from rush defence if we haven't handled it right early on."
While they work to get better, one thing is for sure. The Jets are finding a way to stay positive throughout the process.
The hooting and hollering could be heard from the stands throughout Thursday's skate, which is even more notable given a significant section of the lower-bowl was filled with school groups attending the practice.
"We're a little older out there. I thought we had more fun out on the ice. The older guys have fun and sweat at the same time. I thought we moved hard," said Maurice. "The pace got pushed, got driving as the drills got a little more competitive. They had fun doing it and they started to chirp each other a little bit. That we haven't had a whole lot of - having fun and working hard at the same time. I thought today was a little different."

ICE CHIPS
Bogdan Kiselevich is in Winnipeg but didn't participate in Thursday's practice. Maurice said the defenceman has an illness and won't get on the ice until he's feeling better.
As for Par Lindholm, he and Matt Hendricks were the extra forwards on Thursday. Still, the practice time is beneficial with a new team, says Lindholm.
"It's good to have a practice or two before you play and get to know the system a bit," said Lindholm. "It's not too different from what I've played this season, but it's good to get a practice.
"All the people I've met so far have been really good."