Note: The Jets and Habs played a pretty entertaining contest last night which saw Winnipeg take it 3-2. Today they are in Toronto as they prepare to go up against the Leafs. They have a practice scheduled for this afternoon so stay tuned for the Practice Report.
Note II: Aside from the game story the news on Monday morning was the story about Sami Niku in a Finnish publication which forced the smooth-skating D man and his coach to answer questions on Monday morning and news that for the seventh time in his career Mark Scheifele was named an NHL Star of the Week.
Note III: The Moose practiced on Monday and will travel today as they head out on the road for three games starting with division rival Rockford on Wednesday night. I’ll have a Moose Practice Report out later today.
Jets news:
The Athletic Winnipeg: It’s time for Sami Niku to prove himself to the Jets. (Paywall). Now that Niku has been freed it is time for the talented defenceman to be judged for his play on the ice. And not in one game or two but given a fair shot to demonstrate what he can do at the NHL level.
Sportsnet: Search for November form lurks over team. Inserting Copp, Niku and perhaps even Kulikov will go a long way to helping this squad regain that form.
NHL.com: Byfuglien status key for Jets ahead of Trade Deadline. It has been hanging over the heads of the Jets like a guillotine all season long. Hard to make decisions when there remains a great unknown.
Winnipeg Sun: Jets call on Copp in win over Habs. Ironic that the game winner comes off his stick given how important he is to this team defensively.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence
Winnipeg Sun: Jets’ Niku stickhandles through speculation. It was rather unfortunate timing for the smooth-skating defenceman that the article came out the same day he was to make his return to the Jets lineup.
Winnipeg Free Press: Jets climb back into playoff picture with 3-2 win over Canadiens. (Paywall). Every single goal in the game scored by a current or former Jets player. That was a bit unusual.
Winnipeg Free Press: Unlucky, unhappy Niku gets to trade shackles for skates. (Paywall). Given the opportunity in front of him I suspect the only talk moving forward will be about his play on the ice.
Montreal Gazette: Chiarot scores twice, but Canadiens lose to Jets. Amazing to think that the former Jet had never had a multi goal game before last night but achieves it against his former squad. Read this recap of the game from a writer that covers the Habs.
The Athletic Winnipeg: Jets midseason report cards: Analyzing Winnipeg’s goaltenders and defencemen. (Paywall). Murat hands out some midseason grades. As per usual lots of insight in this article.
