Jets test new lines as Niederreiter awaits decision against Wild
Scott Arniel tried Nino Niederreiter alongside Viggo Björck and Gabe Vilardi at practice but had not confirmed Winnipeg’s lineup for Tuesday.
The Winnipeg Jets are considering changes to their forward combinations as they prepare to host the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at Canada Life Centre. The game starts at 7:15 p.m. CT and airs locally on TSN3.
Nino Niederreiter practised with Viggo Björck and Gabe Vilardi on Monday after sitting out three consecutive games as a healthy scratch. Coach Scott Arniel said he wanted more scoring from the second line, but had not decided who would dress against Minnesota.
Niederreiter said the practice gave him a chance to work with the pair again and that he hoped to contribute if given the opportunity. Arniel also stressed the value of screens, deflections, rebounds and recovering loose pucks near the net.
Morgan Barron centred Vlad Namestnikov and Cole Koepke in the other combination tested Monday. Arniel pointed to Barron’s speed and said using him in the middle could help Winnipeg improve its faceoff results.
The Jets’ game-day report lists Stuart Skinner as their starter after a 32-save outing against Colorado. It also says Calvin Pickard will play for Minnesota, which played Monday night. Skinner and Pickard were previously teammates in Edmonton.
Winnipeg is returning from a 5-1 defeat by Anaheim on Friday. Arniel gave the players Saturday and Sunday off before Monday’s practice, with a demanding stretch of divisional games ahead.
