Jets second line needs to start having impact

DENVER — As he led his troops through a fast-paced 45-minute workout Thursday, it was notable Winnipeg Jets coach Rick Bowness went out of his way to have individual chats with Nikolaj Ehlers, Sean Monahan and Tyler Toffoli at various points of the practice.

Turns out the veteran bench boss had a message to deliver.

“They know they can give us more and we’re going to need more, especially in here,” Bowness said. “They’re three pros, they’ve been around and they know they can give us more.”

Ehlers, Monahan and Toffoli put up a combined 175 points (84 goals, 91 assists) during the regular-season and caused fits for opponents during their brief time together, which came after general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff made a pair of big trade deadline swings to beef up for a Stanley Cup run.

Naturally, there was plenty of excitement about the damage they could do in the playoffs. These three potential difference-makers have been mostly missing in action so far, with no points to show through the first two games despite the fact the Jets have put up nine goals (7-6 win in Game 1, 5-2 loss in Game 2).

If you’re compiling a list of players who need to find another gear, the talented trio would be at the very top.

“It’s just a matter of going out and performing and playing up to our abilities,” Toffoli said of what needs to change now that the scene has shifted south for Games 3 (Friday 9 p.m. CT) and 4 (Sunday, 1:30 p.m. CT) with the best-of-seven tied 1-1, essentially making it a best-of-five.

Perhaps a return to Ball Arena will help. Monahan (2G, 1A), Ehlers (2A) and Toffoli (1G) played big parts in a 7-0 victory on Apr. 13 that basically wrapped up home-ice advantage for the Jets.

“I thought we were really crisp and we executed on every play,” Toffoli said. “We did a really good job creating space for each other and capitalizing on our opportunities.”

Bowness said it’s easy to pinpoint what hasn’t worked so well for the second line, which he plans to spend additional time with them going over on video at Friday’s morning skate.

“Usually when they’re clicking, (you notice) their ability to move the puck and read off of each other. Right now, I find that they’re getting bogged down a little bit. They’re getting too much in the middle,” he said.

“We want them to use the width of the ice a little bit better. Sean’s a very smart player, he’s a great passer with the puck, but if he’s got one of the guys right beside him, then you’re losing an option, so we’d like them to spread it out a bit more. And with Nik’s speed and Tyler’s hands and hockey sense, that’s when it was working.”

The Jets are expected to roll the same four lines, meaning forwards Cole Perfetti and Rasmus Kupari will again be healthy scratches while Morgan Barron remains out with a lower-body injury.

However, a change on the blue-line is likely, with Nate Schmidt replacing Logan Stanley.

“It’s been an exciting series so far. Can’t wait to be a part of it,” Schmidt said following practice. “A lot of energy in Winnipeg, hopefully bring that over here in the next two games.”

Winnipeg has struggled at times to deal with Colorado’s heavy forecheck, and moving the puck out of the zone quickly and efficiently has been a challenge. The result is spending far too much time trying to defend.

“It’s been the focal point of the series. The team that’s gotten out of their zone quicker has been the team that’s been able to break the pressure and both teams have been pressuring each other extremely hard,” said Schmidt.

“You haven’t seen as much neutral-zone play in the first two games because both teams are committed to going in and forcing the other team to try and get it. Our guys having the confidence in themselves and each other, even under duress, to make that outlet pass on the breakout, we will be able to create a little bit more speed through the neutral zone for ourselves.”

Although Stanley has brought a physical presence, including a team-high eight hits last game, Schmidt’s mobility could be an asset especially in a game where the Jets are the visitors and can’t control the matchups. No doubt Colorado would love to get their big guns out against Stanley and his partner, Dylan Samberg, a left-shot who moved to the right side.

“It’ll look different early, for sure. Then as the game goes on, the score dictates some of those matchups as well,” said Bowness.

“Listen, I don’t think anyone expected this series to go four straight for either side, so here we are in Game 3. It’s 1-1, we know we have to win another game in this rink. But the matchups are probably a little different as the game goes on, again, probably depending on how each team is playing. Faceoffs in either our zone or their zone, that changes it as well. We’ll make changes depending on that.”

With Schmidt expected back in, Samberg can go back to the left, where he’s much more comfortable.

“That right side for a left hand, that’s a tough position. You get stuck in the corner, and the way they forecheck and the way they bring the puck in, it’s hard for a lefty going back into that right corner,” said Bowness.

“We do want to move the puck a little quicker, we still played a little too slow for our liking last game. So get moving the puck quicker and playing north—a lot faster game—is going to help us, for sure.”

On the subject of players who need to be better, we’re not forgetting goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. He’s already been beaten 10 times on 77 shots, which are disappointing stats for a guy who should be the obvious winner of the Vezina Trophy this season.

For all the talk about Colorado’s issues in net, Alexandar Georgiev has given up one fewer goal so far.

“I never worry about his confidence. He’s very confident in himself. He knows he’s an elite goalie. He wants the ball. He loves being in there in these big moments,” said Bowness.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

X: @mikemcintyrewpg