Adam Lowry is going to miss more time with injury, even though Paul Maurice says it is a short-term thing. The Winnipeg Jets desperately need to have Lowry in the lineup as he brings a balance to the lower lines that no other player does, especially when playing with his partner in crime Andrew Copp.
I agree! Winnipeg's 3rd line hinges on the Lowry/Copp combination, IMO.
Lowry + Copp: 60% shot attempts
Lowry, no Copp: 48%
Copp, no Lowry: 42%Doesn't matter who plays RW – put those two guys together and the tough minute line is complete.
— Murat (@WPGMurat) February 2, 2018
Lowry and Copp are an important duo and when one is missing, the Jets lose out big time. This is one example where the sum of the parts is important. They can play with anyone and be a good shut down line. While I will argue until my face turns blue that they should play with a player who leans to be more offensively talented like Joel Armia or Marko Dano, the fact they can get results with Brandon Tanev is telling.
Marko Dano will replace Lowry in the lineup while Copp will move back to centre.
On the defence front, Dmitry Kulikov returns tomorrow and while they did not play poorly, breaking up the pairing of Ben Chiarot and Tucker Poolman is a welcomed sight for my sore eyes.
