Note: The Jets start off this four game road trip with a game tonight in Chicago before they have a few days off for the All-Star break. They will follow this lull in action with a contest against the Blues next Tuesday (January 31st) in St. Louis.
Note II: The Moose will practice at Bojangles Coliseum (my favourite arena solely based on the name) today at 12 noon in Charlotte, North Carolina. They play back to back games on Friday and Saturday against the Checkers to wrap up this road trip.
Jets news:
Winnipeg Sun: Five keys to Jets vs. Blackhawks. Ken’s list of five includes: 1) The need for speed. 2) Hellebuyck must rebound. 3) Little on fire. 4) Contain the dynamic trio. 5) Here’s Johnny. And Ken’s big matchup is Jets special teams vs Blackhawks special teams.
Winnipeg Sun: Time for Hellebuyck to respond. Almost two weeks have gone by since he last played an NHL game. We don’t yet know if he is getting the start tonight against a tough Hawks’ team but all eyes will be glued on the Jets netminder in his 1st period back in action, whenever it happens.
Winnipeg Sun: Enstrom’s absence means bigger role for Morrissey. I’m sounding like a broken record but even though I watched him play a lot last season in the AHL and I wasn’t surprised that he has made the jump to the NHL, he still continues to surprise me with the growth in his game. Can he continue to elevate as the team continues to rely on him more and more?
Winnipeg Free Press: Jets so close, yet so far. (Paywall). Jeff takes a look back at how each of the last eight losses by one goa played out and how the Jets managed to lose these close games.
Winnipeg Free Press: Jets have their identity – unaccountable. (Paywall). Steve Lyons and Paul Wiecek don’t really hold back in this wide ranging piece that covers a number of areas but starts off with the above titled subject matter.
Metro News: Rookies Laine and Matthews equally matched ahead of all-star game. It hasn’t even been a year and I’m already sick of the comparisons of these two rookies. Because they are in different conferences it just feels disconnected, unlike Crosby and Ovechkin.
Sportsnet: The Jets are slowly moving on from their core of ex-Thrashers. While fans want this transition pushed ahead it bears repeating that you shouldn’t rush young prospects into the NHL.
Illegal Curve: How Winnipeg Jets rookie Patrik Laine adjusts to the NHL. (Video). Bit of an infomercial for Octagon Hockey but it features Jets rookie Patrik Laine so Jets fan may be interested in watching this video on European players adjusting to life in North America.
Illegal Curve: Injury Report. Won’t have an update on Tobias Enstrom until after morning skate most likely (although the Jets calling up Brian Strait isn’t good for business) but we do have the latest on Mathieu Perreault, Drew Stafford, Marko Dano and Ben Chiarot.
Illegal Curve: How long might the Winnipeg Jets run with three goalies? Should be interesting to see who the Jets choose to use in net against the Hawks tonight.
Jets audio:
TSN 1290 Winnipeg: Jets goaltending needs to sort itself out. TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger joins Hustler & Lawless to discuss the Winnipeg Jets goaltending, the penalty shot awarded when Jacob Trouba slashed at a San Jose Sharks player, and explains why Marc-Andre Fleury should be high on the trade bait list.
TSN 1290 Winnipeg: Trouba makes a legal stick check on Karlsson. Former NHL official Kerry Fraser joined Rick Ralph and discussed the controversial call following a defensive play by Jacob Trouba that awarded a penalty shot to Melker Karlsson of the San Jose Sharks.
