Note: The Jets were off on Friday although there was a media availability regarding the ‘Winnipeg Whiteout Street Party’ and the new ‘Party at the Plaza’. The full schedule for round 1 was also released last night. Today they are scheduled to practice as they prepare for game 1 of their Stanley Cup round 1 series with the Golden Knights which gets underway on Tuesday in Vegas. Stay tuned for the Practice Report.
Note II: The Moose enter their final weekend of the regular season kicking off a back-to-back in Illinois starting with the Icehogs in Rockford (7 PM) tonight and then concluding the regular season finale tomorrow against the Wolves in Chicago (3 PM). They did get Dominic Toninato back from the Jets on Friday as they announced he had been reassigned.
Note III: The Ice won their fifth straight game of the WHL playoffs as they kicked off round 2 with a 5-3 game 1 win over the Warriors last night in Winnipeg. Projected Top 10 pick at the upcoming NHL Draft Zach Benson scored in his return after last playing March 10th. Game 2 goes tonight with puck drop at 7 PM CDT.
Note IV: Join us this morning at 9 AM CDT on the Illegal Curve Hockey Show for two hours Jets talk as we preview the 2023 playoffs. We will be joined by Murat Ates and Eric Duhatschek both of The Athletic.
Note V: Not really Jets related (anymore) but a really warm moment between two former Winnipeggers (Jacob Trouba and Isaiah Márquez-Greene) when the Rangers ended their regular season the other night.
Jets news:
The Athletic Winnipeg: Jets keys to a first-round upset over No. 1 seed Vegas. (Paywall). We are having Murat on the show so we can discuss this series which is closer than some may think.
Winnipeg Sun: Old friends, older enemies, as Jets take on Vegas Golden Knights. It’s a rivalry that dates back five long years when these two squads battled it out for the chance to go to the Stanley Cup Final.
Winnipeg Free Press: Deal them in. (Paywall). Mike gives you plenty to digest on this first round series. He examines: 1) Revenge is a dish best served cold. 2) The star vs the understudy. 3) One last hurrah. 4) Manitoba flavour. 5) Hi, Jack. 6) No pain, no gain. 7) Home, sweet home?
Winnipeg Free Press: Lowry’s leadership, grit key to making playoffs. (Paywall). He was lauded for his stepping up against the Wild last week and for all he does both on and off the ice for this organization.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
Jets video:
Winnipeg Sun: Teeing up Jets – Golden Knights Playoff Series. The full crew is here this week! Winnipeg Sun sportswriters Ted Wyman, Paul Friesen and Scott Billeck tee up the Winnipeg Jets first-round matchup with the Vegas Golden Knights – a juicy rematch from the 2018 Western Conference Final that is teeming with storylines. All of that and more in this weeks edition of Jets Setting.
TSN: Playoff push should have Jets battle ready for Golden Knights. The Golden Knights swept the season series with the Jets but John Lu explains why that may not have much of an impact on this round one series. He also discusses the importance of Connor Hellebuyck down the stretch and why he could be the difference maker for Winnipeg.
TSN: Do Jets have any chance against Pacific leading Golden Knights? The Jets are the only Canadian team pegged as the underdog heading into their first round series. Do they have any chance against the Pacific leading Golden Knights? That’s Hockey takes a closer look at their chances.
Sportsnet: With a ton of goalies and a rusty Stone, are Golden Knights an upset special vs. Jets? NHL analyst Dennis Bernstein joins Follow The Money to explain why he doesn’t see the resilient Golden Knights as an upset special vs. the Jets.
Ice news:
Winnipeg Sun: Ice heats up in third period to take Game 1 from Warriors. Must have been a huge relief for Winnipeg to get projected top 10 pick in the upcoming NHL Draft Zach Benson back after he missed over a month.
Winnipeg Free Press: Ice take Game 1 in WHL Eastern Conference semifinal series against Moose Jaw. Make that five wins in a row for Winnipeg as they continue to roll along.
