Winnipeg Jets goaltender Ondrej Pavelec (R) makes a save on Florida Panthers' Drew Shore (50) during the third period of their NHL hockey game in Winnipeg February 5, 2013. REUTERS/Fred Greenslade
SUNRISE, Fla. – Ondrej Pavelec isn’t going to lie: He would like to play every Winnipeg Jets game for the rest of the season.
He won’t get his wish.
Jets coach Claude Noel said Monday he will look to get backup goaltender Al Montoya some action this month, possibly as soon as this week when the Jets play four games in six nights.
Pavelec can continue to make it a tough decision on the coach if he keeps playing at the level he has reached while starting the last nine consecutive games.
“I like this kind of schedule,” the 25-year-old Czech goaltender said Monday. “Every game is huge.
“If you ask anybody, they are going to tell you they want to play the games. It’s great that I have that chance to play almost every night. That’s why you play hockey.”
The Jets are 5-4 in the last nine games, but have been in every game, largely thanks to Pavelec, who has lowered his goals against and raised his save percentage while making big saves and timely stops.
