Injury Update: Josh Morrissey shakes up Jets blue line

Scott Wiebe just reported that Josh Morrissey returns to the Jets lineup tonight against the Devils.

Morrissey, the 31-year-old defenseman Winnipeg took 13th overall in 2013, has played only 4 games this season (0 goals, 3 assists, -1). He is listed on injured reserve with a wrist injury, with an expected return of at least Nov. 10, which is today. The Jets are 7-8-3 and sit 23rd in the NHL, but they have won 3 straight.

Wiebe noted that Morrissey is back in the lineup this evening against New Jersey.

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The signs were there. Connor Hrabchak reported that Morrissey was once again taking reps on the first power-play unit and skating alongside Dylan DeMelo in line rushes.

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Danielle Bain's practice report shows how Winnipeg set its pairings, with Morrissey and DeMelo together, Dylan Samberg with Neal Pionk, Mario Ferraro with Tyrell Bauer, and Haydn Fleury with Henry Thrun. Morrissey carried an asterisk in her post, still TBD on a return.

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Here is the catch. Seven defensemen can't dress in a normal lineup, and nothing available tells us who comes out tonight. We won't guess.

Who makes room on the Jets blue line?

The answer is not in hand, but the pressure points are easy to see. Thrun has not played a game this season, while Fleury is a -7 through 13 games.

Neither number settles it. Coach Scott Arniel may want to protect the pairing that has helped win three straight, and that is a defensible call. Still, a team with a -14 goal differential and 63 goals against is not in a spot to let a healthy Morrissey sit on principle. His minutes on the top pair and the power play are what Winnipeg has been missing.

The Jets won't have it easy. New Jersey is 13-5-0, second in the Metropolitan Division, and has won 5 straight. Connor Hellebuyck will hear the boos, but as Chris Johnston reported, Connor Hellebuyck's return to Winnipeg will not include a start.

It is also a night with its own storyline in the Jets crease, because Nico Daws is set to start against the team that drafted him.

For the rest of the league, this is a measuring stick. A Jets team that has been outscored all season gets a top-pair defenseman back against one of the hottest teams in the East. Puck drop is tonight in Winnipeg, and the official lineup will show who made way.

Quick hits

MONTREAL CANADIENS: Jacob Fowler gets the net on Carey Price night. Eric Engels reported the start against the Wild, and it is a big stage for a young goalie.

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WASHINGTON CAPITALS: Ryan Leonard plays his 100th career game tonight in Ottawa. The Capitals highlighted the milestone this morning.

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TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING: Four regulars were missing from Tuesday's practice. Recalled Sam O'Reilly skated on a line with Jake Guentzel, which is a nice opportunity for him.

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TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS: Mark Masters reported the official injury update, and it hits the lineup hard hours before tonight's game against the Avalanche. Three injuries is a lot to absorb.

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GOALIE WATCH: Sergei Bobrovsky will start in goal for the Maple Leafs tonight against the Avalanche, according to Leafs Latest and Terry Koshan.

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This article was written with the help of artificial intelligence, based on public reports and official sources.

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Connor Hellebuyck's return to Winnipeg comes with a big catch