Jets look to contain Marchand, Bergeron
Dynamic duo leading Bruins
All eyes will be on No. 63.
Boston’s Brad Marchand is on an eight-game point streak (14 points during that span), leads his team in scoring by 19 points and
is on the verge of a career high in production (85 points), so shutting down the agitating winger has to be Job 1 for the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday.
Along with Patrice Bergeron, Marchand plays on one of the top lines in the NHL, although it’s diminished slightly without the injured David Pastrnak.
The Jets will likely try to counter the high-flying pair with Adam Lowry’s shutdown line. Winnipeg’s top unit with Mark Scheifele at centre could also play a role. Marchand will no doubt see plenty of Jacob Trouba on the Jets’ blue-line.
Here are five things to watch for when the Jets host the Bruins on Thursday:
The KISS approach
Nik Ehlers on Tuesday acknowledged his “stupid” attempted pass to the middle of the ice late in Tuesday’s game, leading to a San Jose two-on-one and the winning goal with four seconds left. The Bruins were singing a similar tune about needing to keep things simple after their 7-4 loss in Columbus the same night. The team that plays the most effective straightline game and avoids middle-ofthe-ice turnovers will likely win it.
Connor Hellebuyck vs. Tuukka
Rask
Assuming coach Paul Maurice comes right back with Hellebuyck in goal, the Jets’ No. 1 goalie needs a bounce-back game after looking shaky against the Sharks. Doing just that has been one of his strong points this season. At least he wasn’t pulled from his last game, as Rask was on Tuesday. That was more of a mercy pull than anything, as his Boston teammates hung him “out to dry,” according to coach Bruce Cassidy, in spotting Columbus a 5-1 lead.
Second-line bounce back
If Hellebuyck needs a rebound game, so does the Jets’ second unit of Kevin Hayes (minus-3) between Ehlers and Kyle Connor (both minus-4). “You can’t help the team when you’re minus-3,” Hayes said.
Special teams
The Bruins are where the Jets want to be, ranked in the NHL’S top 10 on both the power play and the penalty kill. Boston’s No. 3-ranked power play is the equal of Winnipeg’s (No. 4), but it’s when they’re short-handed that the visitors have shone. Three straight games and seven straight penalties without allowing a power-play goal at least has the Jets trending in the right direction.
Depth advantage
The Bruins are missing some key forwards, giving the Jets a significant advantage. Winnipeg has enjoyed regular production of late from Andrew Copp’s line, with Mathieu Perreault and Jack Roslovic on the wings. The Jets should win the battle of the bottom six, which could make the difference.