DOING WELL WITHOUT WHEELER
The Jets treaded into unfamiliar territory on their last road trip as they played five consecutive games without captain Blake Wheeler. Winnipeg went 4-1 in those five games and played pretty well. Paul Maurice has had to shake up his top six forward group in the third period in Ottawa on Monday by moving Pierre-Luc Dubois to the right side with Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor. Paul Stastny is working with Andrew Copp and Nikolaj Ehlers. Mason Appleton is looking more comfortable in Wheeler's spot on the top power play unit.
"It's a testament to the depth we have and the group leadership we have." said Andrew Copp of the Jets ability to play well without 26.
Winnipeg Jets : Ground Control
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Fly By - April 17, 2021 - WPG vs EDM
STANLEY BACK IN
Ville Heinola got a quick look on Thursday with a solid 12:34 of ice time against the Toronto Maple Leafs alongside Dylan DeMelo. However, Logan Stanley will return to his spot beside DeMelo for tonight's game against the Edmonton Oilers. Stanley's size and strength will be counted on to deal with the likes of Draisaitl, Kassian and Chiasson.
SPECIAL SPECIAL TEAMS
The Jets have really started to string games together where both the penalty kill and power play has played a role in victories. Winnipeg got a power play goal and a short-handed goal in the third period in Ottawa and that was the difference on Wednesday. Thursday in Toronto, they score twice with the man advantage and shut down four Maple Leaf power plays including a 5-on-3. Considering the power play the Oilers bring into Winnipeg this evening, the PK could be the key.
KEEP MCDAVID OFF ELITE LIST
With a point against Winnipeg, McDavid can become the first player to reach the 70-point mark this season. Among campaigns in which clubs contested a schedule of 56 games or fewer, Edmonton's captain can become just the third player to collect 70 points after Eric Lindros (70 in 46 GP w/ PHI) and Jaromir Jagr (70 in 48 GP w/ PIT) both did so in 1994-95.
