Back to business for Winnipeg Jets

WINNIPEG – After a fun night for their annual skills competition, it was back to business as usual for the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday as they held an intense practice at MTS Iceplex.

“It’s only the third one we’ve had, but the first one we’ve liked in an awfully long time.” said head coach Paul Maurice.

The Jets are now getting prepared for their final home game before the Christmas break, a divisional match-up with the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday afternoon. It’s the third of five meetings between the two clubs this season after the Jets gained three of a possible four points in the first two games.

“I think the divisional games are always important.” said Patrik Laine. “And they’re below us now and we want to make sure it stays that way.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I think the divisional games are always important." said Patrik Laine. "And they're below us now and we want to make sure it stays that way."

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Laine put on a show for fans in Friday’s skills competition. He won the accuracy shooting event and finished second only to Dustin Byfuglien in the hardest shot, which can only serve as a confidence booster for the rookie phenom moving forward.

“His game is getting better.” said Maurice. “His game away from the puck, he’s got a good awareness of it. All the areas of greatest improvement for him just come from getting older, getting stronger.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "His game is getting better." said Maurice. "His game away from the puck, he's got a good awareness of it. All the areas of greatest improvement for him just come from getting older, getting stronger."

But while Laine continues to improve, the Jets penalty kills continues to struggle. After the Jets surrendered three powerplay goals to the Florida Panthers, their PK is now ranked 28th out of the 30 NHL teams.

“There isn’t a lot of confidence in there.” said Maurice. “And we haven’t earned the right to be confident. So we’ve got push ourselves to get more aggressive and get quicker.”

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The return of some healthy bodies sure wouldn’t hurt with forwards Joel Armia, Shawn Matthias and Nic Petan all nearing a return from the injured list. Without saying who, Maurice indicated one of the three could even return to face the Avalanche.

“Really, really, really close.” said Maurice. “I would expect green lights on maybe all three of them over the next three games.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Really, really, really close." said Maurice. "I would expect green lights on maybe all three of them over the next three games."

WATCH: Paul Maurice Interview – Dec. 17

1:00 RAW: Winnipeg Jets Paul Maurice – Dec. 17