The Jets fell 4-1 in their last game on Sunday to the Edmonton Oilers and also saw defenceman Dylan Samberg block a shot in the second period and not return. Samberg broke his foot back in November doing the exact same thing, this time though, the results were not near as bad.
“I knew it wasn't anything serious. It was just that my leg just went dead, and I couldn't move it, so it obviously hurt pretty bad, but I knew there wasn't anything serious about the issue,” said Samberg who practiced on Tuesday.
“But obviously you're trying to get back up and trying to finish up the play at least, and as much as you can. But yeah, just part of the job.”
Six Jets will have the full 82-game schedule on their resume after tonight, Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele, Nino Niederreiter, Alex Iafallo, Dylan DeMelo and Cole Perfetti. It’s the first time that Perfetti will play a full season in his four-year career, a testament to the hard work that he put in during the offseason.
“For sure you learn stuff along the way. Whether it's your nutrition or your treatment outside of the rink, taking care of your body. In the summer, your training and same thing, treatment and stuff like that,” said Perfetti.
“There's a lot that I've learned that I've tried to implement. And we have a great group of older guys here, Scheif, J-Mo, Lows, they do things the right way.”
The Jets announced Wednesday morning that Iafallo had signed a three-year extension with an AAV of 3.67 million.
“Yeah, pumped. I'm excited. You know, obviously I wanted to stay here," said Iafallo.
"Such a great organization, city, fans, and just the team alone. It's been a fun fun year and I just wanted to stay, and pumped to get it done before playoffs, for sure.”
Some more good news came out of Jets practice on Tuesday, Gabe Vilardi who has missed the last ten games after getting hurt on March 23, skated for the first time. Vilardi has career highs in games played (71), goals (27), assists (34), points (61) and power play goals (12),
“You guys know what he means to this team and see what he can do for us. We’re that much more lethal when he’s in the lineup,” said Perfetti.
“We’re excited to see him back and it’s great to see him skating. He’s a fun guy to be around. He puts a smile on guys’ faces. It’s nice to see him back in the room, hanging out. We’re excited to get him back in the lineup.”
Arniel added that Nikolaj Ehlers has been moved from day-to-day to week-to-week putting his availability for the first round in jeopardy. Ehlers collided with a linesmen in the 5-4 shootout win in Chicago on Saturday.
Winnipeg is 15-3-2 in their past 20 games against the Ducks, including capturing points in nine of the past 10 matchups (8-1-1). The Jets were on an eight-game winning streak prior to this season. They have held the Ducks to two or fewer goals in six of the past eight games and have scored three or more in 19 of the past 21 games.
STAT(S) OF THE DAY
The Jets captured their first Presidents’ Trophy in franchise history on Sunday. The last Canadian team to earn that trophy was the Vancouver Canucks in 2011-12. The Jets lead the NHL with 114 points (55-22-4) which also ties their franchise high for points (114 points in 2017-18) and now need just one more in their last game to mark a new best. They have posted 55 wins which is already the most in franchise history.
