Note: The Jets homestand continues tonight as they welcome the Oilers to town to conclude the final two games of the season series against Edmonton. Winnipeg has not faired well against Edmonton this season going 2-5-0 to date which includes a 3-0 loss which kicked off this five-game homestand. Stay tuned for the pre-game report which goes live around 10:30 AM when morning skate gets underway for updates as well as for the media availability with players and coach Paul Maurice. Join us afterwards for our post-game show here (be sure to smash that like/subscribe button).
Note II: Big news from morning skate is that Nikolaj Ehlers is done for the regular season although the team is confident/hopeful that he will be back for the playoffs according to head coach Paul Maurice.
Note III: The Moose are also back in business today as they look to keep their five game winning streak alive in this third game of five against the Heat. It was a big win on Saturday for Eric Comrie who became the all-time wins leader for Manitoba and we shall have to wait and see if he sticks with Manitoba or if they flip him and Mikhail Berdin back. Jets 2020 1st rounder Cole Perfetti is rolling with 11 points (4G 7A) in five games. Puck drop is at 1 PM.
Jets news:
Winnipeg Sun: Jets Game Night. Paul’s five keys to the game include: 1) Is Smitty OK? 2) On the Mark. 3) Between the ears. 4) Welcome back, DK. 5) A “Lowsy” player.
Winnipeg Sun: Thornton, Ehlers provide hilarity on HNIC. As I said when it happened it is my new favourite rivalry and it is sad that you won’t get to see it again until mid May.
Winnipeg Sun: Jets need to do some soul-searching. This experience has been felt in Toronto and Edmonton and Montreal but before this homestand began Winnipeg had managed to avoid it this season.
Winnipeg Free Press: Short-term pain for long-term gain. (Paywall). It was a move that had to be made given what happened on Saturday night. Mike wrote about what the Jets could get out of this long-term.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
The Athletic Winnipeg: Mark Scheifele’s Jets legacy will be defined by his response to being benched. (Paywall). Seems a bit harsh given this is one incident in a career that has spanned seven and a half seasons.
Sportsnet: Scheifele’s response to benching will help determine how far his Jets go. No doubt it will be important to see how 55 responds on Monday, Wednesday and down the stretch.
Edmonton Sun: Oilers set to descend on Winnipeg, where Jets have run out of runway. A look at the Jets from a write that covers the Oilers.
Jets video:
TSN: Kulikov likely to debut as Oilers try to jump Jets in the standings. Mike Smith was back on the ice at practice on Sunday, while defenceman Dmitri Kulikov skated alongside Adam Larsson as both look to be in the lineup when the Oilers take on the Jets Monday. Edmonton will be looking to leapfrog Winnipeg in the standings as the race for playoff positioning heats up.
Illegal Curve Hockey Podcast:
Topics: Jets lose first two games of five-game homestand, Are the Jets being pushed around by the Toronto Maple Leafs/Are the Jets tough enough heading into the playoffs, The impact of Adam Lowry’s injury and potential absence, Does Paul Maurice need to use Paul Stastny at centre if Lowry is out
Guests: Ted Wyman (Winnipeg Sun Sports Editor) and David Alter (The Hockey News).
To listen to part 1 click here.
Topics: Jets/Maple Leafs Preview continued, Connor Hellebuyck’s comments about his performance, Update from Jets Game Day Skate, Ville Heinola reassigned to the Manitoba Moose, Final thoughts
Guest: Mike McKenna (Former NHL goaltender, Vegas Golden Knights studio analyst).
To listen to part 2 click here.
