Note: After spending Thursday practicing the Jets and Oilers will renew hostilities tonight in Edmonton as the home side looks to even the series and the visitors look to escape with a big two game lead. Questions remain about the health of Pierre-Luc Dubois and Nikolaj Ehlers and we will have to wait and see what, if anything, happens at morning skate which gets underway at 11:30 AM MT (12:30 PM CT). Check back to see the pre-game report for potential updates as well as for the media availability from players and head coach Paul Maurice. Puck drop is at 8 PM CDT. Join us afterwards for our post-game show here (be sure to smash that like/subscribe button).
Note II: A reminder that you can watch ‘Live with Kenny and Renny’ featuring Sean Reynolds and Ken Wiebe of Sportsnet which starts at 9 AM and which will be available on their YouTube channel.’
Jets news:
The Athletic Winnipeg: How did the Jets keep Connor McDavid off the board in Game 1 — and can they do it again? (Paywall). That was the $64,000.00 question (although I may need to adjust that figure to today’s dollar value) in advance of game 1 and while Jets bench boss Paul Maurice wasn’t prepared to share his secret, if he had one, Murat attempts to figure it out.
Sportsnet: Jets turn regular-season low point into renewed commitment vs. Oilers. Lots is being made about the players not abandoning ship during that tough losing streak and how they used it to get their game back in shape.
Winnipeg Sun: Will Ehlers and Dubois return to Jets line-up? Maurice is saying there’s a chance. He also said both skated in non-contact uniforms which was contradicted later when it was shown that Pierre-Luc Dubois was in a regular uniform. During the playoffs (and the regular season for that matter) take injury updates with a grain of salt.
Winnipeg Sun: Melding of the minds gives Jets a chance. Sounds the like team needed to have some frank discussion to get the team “pulling the rope all in the same direction”.
Winnipeg Sun: Unlikely heroes stepped up for Jets in Game 1 win over Oilers. Guys like Thompson, Lewis, Toninato, etc etc are all role players who have embraced the opportunity presented to them this season.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
Winnipeg Free Press: Jets’ gritty fourth-liners prove their worth. (Paywall). Putting guys into roles they are suitable for and are willing to embrace seems to be working for this squad.
Winnipeg Free Press: Jets’ blueprint for success: discipline, depth scoring and goaltending. (Paywall). Feels like staying out of the penalty box and Connor Hellebuyck would be the ultimate recipe for success.
Winnipeg Free Press: Attitude adjustment pays off for Jets. (Paywall). When a team is winning things usually aren’t as good as they seem they are and conversely when they are losing it likely isn’t as bad as it looks. Jets never really seemed to lose faith in themselves this season.
Global News: Jets look for an encore after successful opening act. Would be quite something if they can pull off a sweep of the first couple of games in Edmonton.
Global News: Better start, better shots a focus for Oilers in Game 2 against Jets. A look at things from someone who covers the Oilers.
Edmonton Sun: Jesse Puljujarvi was best Oiler in playoff opener against Jets. His play this season has been quite remarkable.
Edmonton Sun: When big guns go silent checkers have to be louder around net. Those big dogs are gonna be barking loudly this evening.
TSN: Maurice says losing streak prepared Jets for playoff hockey.
Jets video:
Sportsnet: Can the Winnipeg Jets continue to shut down Connor McDavid? After the Jets successfully stopped Connor McDavid in Game 1, Sean Reynolds and Mark Spector analyze Winnipeg’s blueprint and how Edmonton can counter as the series moves forward.
Winnipeg Sun: Breaking down game 1 between the Jets and Oilers. Sun sports editor Ted Wyman and Derek Van Diest of Postmedia Edmonton break down Game 1 of the North Division semifinal between the Winnipeg Jets and the Edmonton Oilers.
