Thomas' Three Storylines - CHI @ WPG

READY TO SHAKE OFF THE RUST
After an 11-day break, the Jets return to action tonight against the Chicago Blackhawks. Chicago played last night, and this will be third game this week, so they have already shaken off the rust after the player/All-Star break. Including this morning's skate, Rick Bowness has been pleased with the energy being shown on the ice from his players. There are some concerns how things will look for the Jets with the 9 pm start time but we will have to wait and see if they can shake the rust off quickly in the first period.
"We've known this (9 pm) game was coming for a while," said Bowness this morning.
"We've had time to prepare for it and we work with what we work with."

APPLETON IS BACK
Speaking of shaking off rust, Mason Appleton will attempt to do just that when he plays his first game since breaking his wrist in Seattle on November 13. Appleton will start the night on the fourth line with Kevin Stenlund and Saku Maenalanen and Bowness will be monitoring his minutes. Appleton admitted mentally it was tough during his recovery from the injury but going on the road with his teammates before the break helped him out of that funk.
"I was at home for a while. Just to see some different cities and have some good meals on the road and hang out with the guys and get bag skated a little bit," said Appleton on Wednesday.
"But it was good. Then obviously then you take your break (player/All-Star break), refreshed mentally and everybody got to go do that. Now we're back as a group and excited to make a push here."
CHANGES TO POWER PLAY
The Jets power play has been struggling as of late with just one power play goal in their last five games (1-17). The coaching staff has thrown out a couple new look units with Mark Scheifele, Josh Morrissey, Kyle Connor, Blake Wheeler and Pierre-Luc Dubois for group one. Kevin Stenlund joins the second group with Nikolaj Ehlers, Neal Pionk, Nate Schmidt and Cole Perfetti.