Game #11 GDT: Winnipeg Jets at Washington Capitals

After falling 3-2 to the Washington Capitals at home, the Winnipeg Jets have a shot at redemption tonight as they visit the Verizon Center.

Frequent linemates during the preseason, Patrik Laine and Joel Armia have skated all of 3:15 5v5 minutes together over ten regular season tilts. That number is set to grow significantly, as Jets head coach Paul Maurice has reunited the Finns on what one could argue is now Winnipeg's second line.

Armia has been a tour de force, excelling at both the eye test and fancy stats. The 23-year-old now has four points, all in the last five games, and folks are right to wonder what he might be able to do with Laine on his line.

Don’t mind Maurice’s decision to put Laine with Armia. Armia has arguably been #NHLJets best player and he could use a finisher on his line.

— Ted Wyman (@Ted_Wyman) November 3, 2016

With Drew Stafford and Shawn Matthias injured, plus Chris Thorburn out for (positive) family reasons, the forward corps has undergone more than a little shakeup. Winnipeg's coaching staff is kinder than the score sheet, as Brandon Tanev finds himself bumped up the lineup beside Mathieu Perreault and Kyle Connor. Meanwhile, Alexander Burmistrov shifts over to the left to make room for Andrew Copp, and finally Marko Dano rounds out the trio. It's a significantly different look for the fourth line, one hopefully improved in terms of both puck possession and offensive potential.

Beyond posting five assists in eight games, Copp's stint with the Manitoba Moose allowed him to play in all situations while simultaneously working on his face-off game. Time well spent, then:

.@Copp94 on getting his timing back in morning skate today, and what he’d like to accomplish tonight against Washington. pic.twitter.com/qwwTyx8Xyl

— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) November 3, 2016

Winnipeg managed to do pretty well possession-wise on Tuesday, against one of the league's stronger teams in this and many respects. The result was still a loss, but a similarly solid effort tonight should give the Jets a decent shot at posting a W. Another key will be the play of Michael Hutchinson, who'll be looking to bounce back after being pulled against Buffalo on Oct. 30. The 26-year-old's Sv% has risen to 906%, and with any luck, it'll go higher still tonight.

Go time. pic.twitter.com/sroCOjxoxu

— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) November 3, 2016