Many were surprised to see Winnipeg Jets forward Pierre-Luc Dubois benched Tuesday night during the third period of a game against the Vegas Golden Knights.
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However, do not believe that the Quebecer was no longer in the good graces of head coach Rick Bowness. The latter rather explained that his skater was exhausted.
“He is very sick. He was really out of sorts, Bowness revealed during press conferences following his 6-5 loss. He was not the only one. Currently, many of our guys are undergoing intravenous treatments.
Dubois was still able to contribute against the ‘Golden Knights’. In the third period, he provided an assist on teammate Mark Scheifele’s third goal of the game.
A remodeled fourth trio
In addition, Bowness had decided to make a change to its training by allowing Kevin Stenlund to play his first career game in a Jets uniform. The 26-year-old center pivoted the fourth line.
“I am absolutely not satisfied with our fourth line, had said the trainer before the duel of Tuesday evening. In our last game, they gave up two goals and they didn’t generate anything. We want to see something else.”
The new fourth unit, also made up of Sam Gagner and David Gustafsson, did well against the Knights. She notably managed to register on the score when Gagner scored her 188th goal in the National League.
“It was a lot better,” Bowness said after the match. I think Kevin [Stenlund] had a good game. [Gagner] was close to the net. [Gustafsson] was effective on the left side.
“I think Kevin gave us what we needed from him. He’s won a few faceoffs. He’s a big, strong guy. He clung to the puck. I really liked his game and he helped that line create offense.”
The new fourth line will try to get Bowness’ favor again on Thursday night, when the Jets host the Nashville Predators at the Canada Life Center.