Bowness returning to Jets' bench after month-long absence

Winnipeg Jets head coach Rick Bowness will be behind the bench for Friday's clash against the Florida Panthers following a month-long leave from the team after his wife, Judy, was hospitalized by a seizure.

Bowness told media that Judy is doing "as well as we could expect" in her recovery.

The 68-year-old bench boss is in his second year with the Jets and holds a 57-38-5 record with the team.

Winnipeg associate coach Scott Arniel took the reins during Bowness' absence. He guided the Jets to a 9-2-2 record as interim coach, including seven wins in their last eight games.

"The staff did a great job, the players are playing their hearts out," Bowness said.

The hot streak has propelled the Jets to third in the Central Division, only two points back of the first-place Dallas Stars.