Note: The Jets hit the ice for practice on Friday as they prepared for their matinee against the Kings. Los Angeles is one of the hottest teams in the NHL so it is going to be a pretty, pretty, pretty big test for Winnipeg. No morning skate but any and all relevant news will be posted in the pre-game report so check back for that. Puck drop is at 3 PM CDT.
Note II: This afternoon, after the final buzzer sounds between Winnipeg and Los Angeles, we want you to be part of the conversation on the Illegal Curve Post-Game Show as we discuss and analyze the results of the game. This season you’ll have a chance to win great schwag including authentic Jets jerseys, hats, etc after every single game (For a variety of ways to enter click here).
Note III: The Moose exploded for four goals in the opening period and did not look back as they skated to a 6-2 win over the Icehogs to take three of four points in the opening two-game set of their eight-game homestand. They now have a five game (3-0-1-1) points streak as they improved to 34-19-5-4 which gives them 77 points (two back of Texas and Milwaukee in 1st). They are scheduled to practice today.
Note IV: The Ice won their last regular season road game last night in Brandon as they defeated the Wheat Kings in a shootout. They are a remarkable 56-10-1 on the season. They will conclude their regular season tonight in Winnipeg with a re-match against the Wheaties. Puck drop is at 6:05 CDT.
Note V:Join us this morning at 9 AM CDT on the Illegal Curve Hockey Show for two hours of mostly Jets talk. We will be joined by Ted Wyman of the Winnipeg Sun and John Matisz of theScore.
Note VI: The prospects were busy on Friday night. 2022 1st rounder Rutger McGroarty had two goals (first one here) as Michigan pasted Colgate (thank you Seth Rorabaugh for that inspiration) in NCAA Tournament win, 2022 1st rounder Brad Lambert contributed a goal in a Seattle win, while 2022 3rd rounder Danny Zhilkin had a beauty goal for Kitchener in the OHL.
Jets news:
Sportsnet: Jets mailbag: Could less ice time actually benefit Wheeler’s productivity? Wieber previews the Jets/Kings game ahead of his most recent mailbag which has a few questions from readers including potential benefits to reducing the ice time of number 26.
Winnipeg Sun: Jets still searching for Scheifele response. There is no doubt that number 55 can give more right now and even though he is poised for a career high in goals this club needs him to put them on his back. While Hellebuyck can be Herculean this team will need Mark Scheifele vs Nashville Predators in 2nd round back in 2017-18 in order to do any damage in the post-season.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
Global News: A win is a win, but Jets need more urgency. The Jets played well yesterday but do need to give themselves some breathing room in these games. They face a stiff test against the hottest team in the Western Conference tomorrow afternoon.
The Athletic Winnipeg: Ranking the Jets lines and pairings that rose to the occasion in win over Ducks. (Paywall). Good insight from Murat whose assessment of the game is encapsulated here.
Jets video:
TSN: The Talking Point: Putting NHL teams on the worry-meter. There isn’t much time left in the NHL regular season and a handful of teams should have reason to worry about the playoffs, whether they have a spot locked up or not. TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button joins Gino Reda to run through a few teams and rate where they land on the worry-meter.
Jets audio:
Sportsnet: 32 Thoughts Podcast. Marek and Friedman talked about the importance of the Jets win over the Ducks, Friedman states (again) that he feels Connor Hellebuyck deserves the Vezina and then he threw some funny shade at Sean Reynolds even though the reporter he was discussing was Scott Billeck of the Sun.
Moose news:
Illegal Curve: Explosive 1st period propels Moose to 6-2 win over Icehogs. Get the full story from yesterday’s game including lineup news, notable factoids, post-game media and more.
