Toffoli, Miller to debut with Jets Monday, Vilardi still out
Published Mar 11, 2024 • Last updated 6 hours ago • 2 minute read
Forward Tyler Toffoli and defenceman Colin Miller, both acquired from the New Jersey Devils at the NHL trade deadline, will make their debuts for the Winnipeg Jets Monday night at Canada Life Centre.
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Toffoli will skate on a line with Sean Monahan and Alex Iafallo and will play on the Jets’ No. 1 power play unit when Winnipeg hosts the Washington Capitals at 6:30 p.m. (Sportsnet, CJOB radio).
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Miller will be paired with Dylan Samberg on defence, pushing his former Vegas teammate Nate Schmidt out of the lineup.
On the bad news side top-line right-winger Gabe Vilardi did not skate Monday and will remain out of the lineup with an upper body injury that he suffered 10 days ago in Dallas.
Toffoli, a 31-year-old 12-year veteran who has 26 goals this season, and Miller, a 31-year-old nine-year veteran, will play despite not having had a full practice with the Jets.
They did take part in the game-day skate on Monday.
“They know how to play the game,” Jets head coach Rick Bowness said. “There’s not that many different systems in the NHL. They’ll know quickly that we play a pressure game. They’re veterans, they know how to play the game, they understand the league and what you can and can’t get away with, regardless of the system. I feel very comfortable throwing them right out there.”
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Bowness said he’s not sure when Vilardi will skate but he’s hopeful it will be sometime this week. However, he has been saying something along those lines since the day after Vilardi was injured so there appears to be no firm timeline for a return.
With Vilardi out, Nikolaj Ehlers is skating on the top line with Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor and Toffoli is expected to take his down-low, near-the-crease spot on the power play.
“We need that right-hand shot down by the net,” Bowness said. “Gabe was there and showed how effective it can be, so Tyler is good for that. He has a little history with (Monahan and Iafallo) so it should be a comfortable fit for him for tonight, going into the game.”
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Bowness also hopes the Jets can benefit from Miller’s big shot from the point. The newcomer was working with the second power-play unit at times on Monday morning.
“He’s got a heavy shot and if we can get him out there, we’re going to let him use it,” Bowness said.
“I don’t know where it would rank, but it’s certainly up there. When he was in Vegas and Dallas, you had to respect that shot. It’s coming heavy and he’s able to get pucks down by the net. So we’re going to let him use it.”
Connor Hellebuyck is expected to start in net against Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals, who have won two of their last three games in convincing fashion and are coming in well-rested after crushing the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-0 in their last game, back on Thursday of last week.
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