SCHEIFELE THRIVES AGAINST TORONTO
The Jets All-Star centre had a goal and an assist in the first meeting of the season on January 2nd and now has five points (4G, 1A) in his last five games against the team from his home province. He has 18 points (10G, 8A) in 13 career games against Toronto. Scheifele did take a Patrik Laine shot to the body in the Jets last game that saw his three game multi-point streak come to an end during a 3-2 win in Montreal, Paul Maurice said he is fine and will play in the third game of this four game road trip.
HARKINS BACK IN
There is one change to the Jets' lineup tonight and it's not Dmitry Kulikov coming back after a lengthy absence. Janson Harkins will replace Gabriel Bourque and will skate on the fourth line with former Leaf Nick Shore and fellow winger Mason Appleton. Harkins has two assists in seven NHL games this season and his average ice time per game is 8:55.
GOOD SHOWING FOR PENALTY KILL (AND COPP)
In Montreal on Tuesday night, the Jets penalty kill was perfect (2-for-2) for the first time since December 21, 2019 and for just third time in their last thirteen games. Nikolaj Ehlers scored a short-handed goal on top of the perfect performance for the penalty kill and Andrew Copp made a triumphant return to the lineup to help the teams struggling special teams unit.
MAURICE AWARE OF COACHING CHANGES AROUND NHL
With divisional rival Nashville firing Peter Laviolette two days ago it brought the coaches fired during the 2019-20 season to six. Jets head coach Paul Maurice comes into tonight's game as the second longest tenured bench boss in the league behind the Lightning's Jon Cooper. Maurice was hired almost six years ago by the Jets and is aware of the lack of stability in the NHL coaching world.
"I'm concerned about the trend. They're coming for you one day -- all of us, no matter what, you're going to get fired," said a smiling Maurice.
