06-15-2019, 12:48 AM
"I really like the way hes into the game on the bench, hes finishing checks, hes engaged in what hes doing," Paul Maurice said Thursday as the Jets prepared to host the Vancouver Canucks. "He doesnt at all look like a player whos waiting for this experiment not to work and Im going to go back to where I want to. " Moving Byfuglien to the wing was one of former coach Claude Noels last acts as he tried to reverse a five-game slide that ultimately cost him his job. Maurice left Byfuglien there and suggests its working so well its not even something he thinks about. "Hes put up big numbers, scored overtime goals, done the things, so hes impactful in our game," Maurice said. The Chicago Blackhawks also tried Byfuglien at forward, although he has made it no secret that he prefers defence. He hasnt quit cold turkey and still covers the blue-line when the Jets have a power play and Byfuglien is still the third-highest scoring defenceman in the league with 40 points. When Winnipegs power play works (which isnt often, ranking 24th in the NHL) its usually Byfuglien whos partly responsible. He has a team-leading 19 power-play points. While forward might not be his first choice, he says its his job to do what hes asked to help the Jets win. "I dont know if Im really comfortable yet but getting there," he said after practice Thursday. "Playing with the same line helps and getting to know where they go, its better." He plays right wing on what is nominally the teams third line with Olli Jokinen in the middle and Devin Setoguchi on the left side. It has largely done what Noel hoped to accomplish, given the Jets three legitimate scoring lines that opposition teams have to be concerned about. Byfuglien has had six points in the nine games since the change, more than his linemates combined. The shift has meant rookie defenceman Jacob Trouba, just 19, is now getting a lot of ice time and defence partner Mark Stuart has nothing but praise for the way hes handled himself. "Hes a kid whos got tremendous skill and hes going to be such a good player in the league, he already is," said the veteran, whose own play seems to have taken off lately. Stuart had points in each of the teams last two games and is seeing almost as much ice time as Trouba. "I think we complement each other," he said. "Hes such a good skater, he plays with the puck really well, he loves skating it up. "Im more of a stay back (defenceman) a lot more, I think defence first." Trouba has seven points over the last seven games and has moved into 14th spot on the rookie scoring list, despite having played only 38 games this season due to injuries. After losing 4-3 to the Nashville Predators on Tuesday, the Jets host Western Conference rival Vancouver on Friday night at the MTS Centre. January hasnt been kind to the slumping Canucks, who have won just four of the 14 games theyve played this month. Theyll arrive here having lost two straight to Edmonton and Chicago. But theyre still clinging to the eighth and final playoff spot in the conference. The Jets were 12th going into Fridays game and need to gain a lot of ground if they hope to avoid missing the post-season once again. WINNIPEG -- Dustin Byfuglien may have to scratch for things he likes about playing forward but his coach is certainly sold on the way the former Winnipeg Jets defenceman is performing when hes on the ice. Stitched Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jerseys . "That was a great lift for the staff," Padres manager Bud Black said. Yonder Alonso and Yasmani Grandal homered, and Chase Headley drove in three runs, as the Padres beat the Chicago Cubs 11-1 on Friday night. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Anthony Nelson Jersey . "I was so nervous," Hadley said Sunday after winning the Puerto Rico Open for his first PGA Tour victory. "I did not eat well last night. http://www.cheapbuccaneers.com/73x-cheap...neers.html. The above paragraph could be rewritten, verbatim, with Marcus Stromans name in place of Romeros. After both men had disastrous outings in Tuesdays 18-4 mauling at the hands of the Tigers, its clear that neither is the best option to begin the season in Toronto. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Mike Edwards Jersey . "If we could score a six in every game, obviously I would be pretty excited," Jones said. "Its a long week but a short week. Its a pretty short round robin from what were used to so you dont want to get behind the eight ball early. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sean Bunting Jersey . - Urijah (The California Kid) Faber finds himself in an unaccustomed position Saturday night at UFC 175 — on the preliminary card. Canadian Milos Raonic came up short in his bid to reach the mens final four at Roland Garros, dropping a 7-5, 7-6 (5), 6-4 decision to Novak Djokovic of Serbia on Tuesday. Raonic, the No. 8 seed from Thornhill, Ont., fired 21 aces but converted only one of two break opportunities in the match, which also lasted two hours 22 minutes. Raonic, the first Canadian man to reach a Grand Slam singles quarterfinal in the post-1968 Open era, stalled in the third set but managed to break Djokovic as the second seed was serving for victory at 5-2. Djokkovic closed it out two games later when a Raonic forehand sailed wide.dddddddddddd The last Canadian to reach a mens singles semifinals at a Grand Slam was William Johnston at the 1923 US Championships. Robert Powell (Wimbledon, 1908) is the only other Canadian to reach a mens singles semifinal. Djokovic is a six-time major champion but he still needs to win the French Open to complete a career Grand Slam. He reached the semifinals at Roland Garros the last four years, but only made one final, losing to Rafael Nadal in 2012. 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