Ehlers credits work at both ends of ice for offensive breakout

If you’re getting the impression Nikolaj Ehlers is in a much happier place lately, you would be absolutely correct.

The 22-year-old Danish left-winger has three goals and four points in his past four games and the scoring outburst, he insists, has a lot to do with a better all-round game.

“I’m playing way better,” said Ehlers, whose first goal of the season on Oct. 24 ended a 26-game scoring drought dating back to the 2017-18 season. “It’s everything — from good defensive plays, you create the offensive — that’s what everyone says. But it’s my all-round game that’s improved a lot these last three-four weeks.”

Ehlers is expected to skate on the left side again tonight with centre Mark Scheifele and red-hot right-winger Blake Wheeler, who has seven points (1G, 6A) in the Winnipeg Jets’ past two games — wins over the Colorado Avalanche and New Jersey Devils by identical 5-2 scores.

WAITING IN THE WINGS

Laurent Brossoit hasn’t played since backstopping the visiting Jets to a 2-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Oct. 26, but his inactivity is no slight on his play. In three starts for Winnipeg, Brossoit has three wins, a .957 save percentage and 1.67 goals-against average.

Head coach Paul Maurice hinted the 25-year-old will see some action soon. That could mean Friday’s home game against the Buffalo Sabres.

“Right now, it’s good,” Brossoit said of his limited action. “Considering how good I’ve felt, not only in the games but in practices this whole year, combined with the fact I’ve had three good games to start, makes it a helluva lot easier to deal with it. Of course you want to get in as much as you can.”

Brossoit, who, like No. 1 man Connor Hellebuyck, is a client of Kelowna, B.C.-based goalie whisperer Adam Francilia, takes full advantage of Francilia’s ready-made meal service during hockey season.

Francilia and his wife, Cathy Francilia, a nutritional expert and former health-food café owner, fill their client’s freezers with organic meals.

“It’s nice to have stuff ready to go at any time so you’re never scrambling,” said Brossoit, who insists he likes to cook but often doesn’t have the time.

EVERBERG RELEASED

The Jets placed forward Dennis Everberg on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract Tuesday.

Signed July 1 to a one-year, two-way contract, the product of Vasteras, Sweden, had just one assist in 11 games with the AHL’s Manitoba Moose this season.

READY TO GO?

Defenceman Dustin Byfuglien and forward Mathieu Perreault are expected to play for the Jets tonight after missing all or part of Tuesday’s practice.

Byfuglien took a maintainence day while Perreault left practice favouring his right leg after a collision.

EXTRA WORK FOR CHIPMAN

Mark Chipman, Jets governor and executive chairman of True North Sports & Entertainment, and former Canadian women’s team captain Cassie Campbell-Pascall have been named to the Hockey Hall of Fame selection committee.

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @sawa14