Note: The Jets used Saturday as a travel day following their 1-0 OT win on Friday which increased their series lead to 2-0. Prior to departing Edmonton they did hold a media availability and while we didn’t learn anything about tonight’s game 3 lineup we did learn that Jets bench boss Paul Maurice was not wearing a sparkly jacket.
Note II: The big question mark for the Jets will be the status of Nikolaj Ehlers who wore a regular uniform on Friday morning. We will have to wait and see what, if anything, happens at morning skate which gets underway at 9:30 AM 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 6:30 PM CDT. Join us afterwards for our post-game show here (be sure to smash that like/subscribe button).
Jets news:
Sportsnet: Despite series lead, Jets know from experience race to four wins isn’t over. No time for complacency as you need to step on the Oilers necks while you’ve got them down. Ken looks back to 2019 when Winnipeg found themselves in a similar position as Edmonton is now.
Winnipeg Sun: Level-headed Jets realize they haven’t accomplished anything yet. Even if they didn’t have every Manitobans with Smythe Division PTSD yelling that a 2-0 series edge isn’t insurmountable this team knows that the kitchen sink and more is coming their way over the next game or two and they will have to be at their best to handle what the Oilers bring at them.
Winnipeg Sun: Overtime hero Stastny brings so much more than scoring to Jets in their playoff quest. Whether it is the coaching staff or his fellow players the respect for number 25 radiates when folks are asked about him and what he brings to the game.
Winnipeg Sun: Maurice sparkles as his Jets shine. Gotta give Paul (Friesen) credit for asking that questions to wrap up yesterday’s media availability and credit goes to the other Paul for the answer he gave.
Winnipeg Free Press: DeMelo’s desperation play a game saver. (Paywall). No word if Dylan DeMelo was channeling his inner Diego Maradona with that play he made to save a goal (although in hockey that is at least allowed).
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
Winnipeg Free Press: Jets focused on the task at hand. (Paywall). This team has been good this season at keeping their focus on the task at hand and not looking past an opponent.
Edmonton Sun: Edmonton Oilers are bleeding heavily, but they’re not dead yet. Reading this headline makes me think of Monty Python’s Quest for the Holy Grail and the scene where Eric Idle is yelling “bring out your dead” and someone brings out the body of a person, goes to toss him on a wagon of dead folks while the ‘dead man’ protests saying “I’m not dead”.
Sportsnet: Oilers can’t wait for luck to turn vs. Jets, must play series on own terms. They’ve still got two damn good players (to put it mildly) who can help them get this series turned back around.
Jets video:
TSN: What should we expect from McDavid in must-win Game 3 against Jets? It’s been rare for a team to find a way to shutdown Connor McDavid but the Jets have managed to do just that through the first two games of their series against the Oilers. Will McDavid finally break through or will someone else need to step up for Edmonton? The TSN Hockey panel discusses the Oilers’ situation and how dominant Winnipeg has been on defence.
TSN: What’s the biggest adjustment Oilers need to make for Game 3? Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have been held pointless through two games in their series against Winnipeg but has it been more about what the Jets are doing to them, or what they haven’t been doing? What’s the biggest adjustment Edmonton will need to make for Game 3? Craig Button answers that and more in this edition of Rapid Fire.
Sportsnet: Why Oilers’ offence is struggling to dictate series with Jets. Gene Principe and Mark Spector discuss what the Edmonton Oilers’ shortcomings are after falling 2-0 in their first round series against the Winnipeg Jets.
Winnipeg Sun: Breaking down Game 2 between the Jets and Oilers. Sun sports editor Ted Wyman and Derek Van Diest of Postmedia Edmonton break down the Winnipeg Jets 1-0 overtime win over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 2 of the North Division semifinal.
Illegal Curve Hockey Show:
Topics: A look back at the Jets OT win in game 2. The Jets commitment to playing as a five-man unit. Shutting down McDavid/Draisaitl. Jets role players. Potential return of Nikolaj Ehlers. Potential Jets line reconfiguration.
Guests: Ken Wiebe (Sportsnet) at 23:55.
To listen to part 1 click here.
Topics: Oilers lack of depth at forward. What if Edmonton rolls McDavid/Draisaitl/RNH up the middle. Injury to John Tavares, game one between Habs and Leafs. Kadri eight-game suspension.
Guests: Derek Van Diest (Edmonton Sun/Postmedia) at 00:19 and Seth Rorabaugh (Pittsburgh Tribune Review) at 41:36.
To listen to part 2 click here.
