The Winnipeg Jets’ redesigned special teams will get their first serious test after two more practice matches.
Players will get an opportunity to hone the power play and penalty kill during this week’s preseason games against Calgary, which are scheduled for this Wednesday at home and Friday in Alberta.
The latter in particular will be put to the test against Edmonton’s explosive power play right away in the regular season.
P.K. mainstay Adam Lowry stated on Monday, “The more reps we get now before we get into these final two pre-season games will be huge.” “Hopefully, against the Flames, we don’t incur a lot of penalties. But facing the Oilers at the beginning of the season will undoubtedly be a good test. You should be prepared to go on Day 1.
The Jets need to raise their rankings for both units; last season, the kill was ranked No. 21, and the power play was ranked 22nd.
Under the guidance of new assistant coach Davis Payne, the Jets will not only be experimenting with various players on their power play units (Nick Ehlers on the first one, for example), but they will also be attempting to move the ball faster.
Head coach Scott Arniel stated, “The biggest thing is how Davis is coming at them with the language, the attack mentality, and the recoveries.” Thus, it sort of affects everyone. Scheif (Mark Scheifele) needs to do a few things a little differently. J-Mo, who is Josh Morrissey, whatever he may be. There are numerous things that require everyone’s attention. So far, I like what I see.
So does Lowry, despite the fact that in actuality he deviates from them.
The captain of the Jets stated, “Their entries have looked fantastic.” Davis has strongly emphasized one point when he entered the room. It will only become better the more he works with them and the more his communication with them about understanding and expectations is received.
Scheifele, Kyle Connor, Ehlers, Gabe Vilardi, and Morrissey were the players on the No. 1 power-play unit on Monday.
Cole Perfetti, Nino Niederreiter, Vlad Namestnikov, Neal Pionk, and Colin Miller made up the second unit’s defense.
While some may shudder at the thought of Scheifele and Connor being used on the penalty kill, Lowry claims there is minimal chance of harm.
“It’s not absolutely necessary to enter shooting lanes,” he stated. “Sometimes the big fear is you lose a key player…. with how smart those guys are and their reads, often they get in the lanes and intercept passes, just anticipating, knowing what the power-play guys can expect.
And they have the power to create things once they have the puck. The penalty kill could be more deadly with those two men.