GAMEDAY: Jets at Sharks

SAN JOSE – The Winnipeg Jets look to get the road trip back on track tonight when they take on the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center.

The Jets (9-4-0) opened their season long six-game trek through the majority of the Pacific Division with a 3-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings, but will face a much different challenge tonight.

Head coach Scott Arniel watched every minute of San Jose’s 6-1 victory over the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday.

“When it comes to their D-zone it’s a lot like LA, but they’re a heck of a lot faster – and that’s no disrespect to LA,” said Arniel. “There are some young kids (in San Jose) that move really well. They transition really well, just like Utah that we saw, little bit of Seattle, there is a lot of transition to their game.”

The game will also be a milestone for forward Vladislav Namestnikov, who will skate in his 800^th career game. Tonight’s tilt will be his 190^th in a Jets jersey, and when he looks back at how his play has evolved since his first four National Hockey League games in the 2013-14 season, he sees a lot of growth.

“I came in as a centerman, didn't really know the defensive side of the game well over the years,” said Namestnikov. “Kind of got put in those positions to defend first, and I think that helped me along the way. And now I can play any role in any position.”

The 32-year-old’s ability to defend and play anywhere in the line-up is what gives Arniel the confidence to play Namestnikov in any situation. Just a glimpse at the stat sheet from the game in Los Angeles shows Namestnikov’s three shots on goal, and a chunk of his 15:14 of ice time going to special teams – 3:25 on the power play and 1:48 shorthanded.

“Longevity happens because you adjust to the league, adjust to what’s needed,” said Arniel. “Things change themselves. You may play in the top six, you may play in the bottom six. Depends how your team is and the make-up of your group. The guys that play a long time are the ones that are able to adapt.”

The setback against the Kings was the first blemish on Winnipeg’s perfect road record. They came into the trip with wins against the New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers, Minnesota Wild, and Calgary Flames, but now sit at 4-1-0 away from Canada Life Centre.

As a group, the Jets are 3-0-0 in games following a loss this season, and the process to improve on that began with Thursday’s 40-minute skate in Los Angeles.

“We’re able to get some practice time that we wouldn’t necessarily get,” said Lowry of the road trip. “Being able to watch back the previous game and take things we need to work on and try to implement them in practice – we’re not a finished product yet.”

Based on the line rushes, Nikita Chibrikov will draw in for his first game since October 26.

"Chibby brings an element. He’s got real good compete," said Arniel. "Then he has the ability to make plays and do that stuff offensively. He’ll be with (Adam Lowry’s) group with Nino, so there is a bit of speed there. The other side of that too is that if they do get some offensive plays, he makes the most of those."

As for the Sharks (5-6-3), Friday’s game opens a quick two-game homestand that sees the Sharks play on back-to-back night against the Jets and Florida Panthers.

San Jose is led offensively by 19-year-old Macklin Celebrini, who had a goal and three points in his team’s win over Seattle. In total, the Sharks had goals from six different players that night – with four of those goals coming off the rush. Kyle Connor, who sits on 599 career points coming into the game, says defending against a team like San Jose is a five-skater job.

“It starts in our own end breaking the puck out well," he said. "Managing the puck through the neutral zone, and - at the same time - when you’re in the offensive zone play having a good F3, not losing the guy. Working with the D-men when they’re pinching down on the winger, we have to make sure we have a guy filling through the middle of the ice and covering for him. It’s a five-man unit up the ice and a five-man unit back checking as well."

The Jets and Sharks will meet three times this season. Winnipeg swept the season series against San Jose last year, but besides an 8-3 win in the season series opener, the next two games finished with scores of 4-3 in regulation and 2-1 in overtime

“It’s definitely a vastly improved San Jose team over the teams we faced in the past,” said Lowry. “We have to be ready for their speed, they’re dangerous offensively, and they acquired some veteran guys on the back end to help solidify those spots. It’s one of those ones where you have a good morning skate and get ready because it’ll be another good test for us.”

Puck drop is set for 9 pm CT.

ICE CHIPS

Cole Perfetti took part in the morning skate in a regular jersey after skating in non-contact for the last week. He didn't take part in line rushes but the move to a full practice jersey is a notable step. Dylan Samberg remains in non-contact. Gustav Nyquist, who hasn't played since leaving the October 30 match-up with Chicago early, also hopped on the ice at the end of morning skate in a non-contact jersey.