Rested Jets focus on pace before returning to action Thursday
Lowry skates before practice, Hendricks nears return
by Jamie Thomas @JamieThomasTV / WinnipegJets.com
WINNIPEG - After a day off, the Winnipeg Jets got right back to it on Monday with a high tempo practice ahead of their next game which is still three days away.
"I thought it was a great idea after the day off," said forward Nic Petan. "It's always nice to rest the body, but it's nice that we pushed the pace today."
"It's good we were able to get a block of days like this and skate after a game and then take a day off," said head coach Paul Maurice. "You actually get more rest this way."
Video: PRACTICE | Paul Maurice
Adam Lowry and Tyler Myers did not take part in practice at Bell MTS Iceplex. Myers was at an appointment, and Lowry took to the ice before the rest of his teammates started practicing.
"(Lowry) skated this morning and it went reasonably well," added Maurice. "We'll see how he gets to it tomorrow."
So the line rushes looked like this without Lowry and Myers.
Connor-Scheifele-Wheeler
Ehlers-Little-Laine
Tanev-Copp-Armia
Lemieux-Matthias-Petan
Morrisey-Trouba
Enstrom-Byfuglien
Kulikov-Poolman
Chiarot
Marko Dano and Matt Hendricks were the extra forwards and were mixed in throughout practice. Hendricks is eager to get in for his first regular season game with his new team, and even though the schedule is allowing him to heal, his patience is running out.
"I was pushing (to get back into the lineup) a little bit earlier," said Hendricks. "But the way the schedule worked out it was probably smarter to have a few days here and continue to get in shape, and to get a little bit better with my timing.
Video: PRACTICE | Matt Hendricks
"You want to get out and start playing games," added Hendricks. "You don't want to just sit here and keep grinding. You want to get back out there and start playing and helping the guys."
Maurice was asked if he wants the 36 year old in the lineup Thursday in Pittsburgh.
"What he has, we don't have a lot of," said Maurice. "He's going to have to fight like every other player to stay in the lineup every single night, but if he's healthy I'm going to find a way to get him in."
The Jets will practice again on Tuesday at Bell MTS Iceplex.