Note: The Jets held a sparsely attended practiced on Saturday for the first time as they hit the ice to start the 2023 playoffs. While a number of players didn’t take part all eyes were on the lookout for Nikolaj Ehlers, who didn’t skate, but did declare himself “ready to go”. While his bench boss tried to rein that in a bit, the fact that he spoke was a positive sign that he should be ready to go by Tuesday in Vegas. Today they will practice again so stay tuned for the Practice Report.
Note II: Before the Moose got going in their second last regular season game of the season the team announced the schedule for the first two games of their playoff series. They are still missing a number of players due to illness/injury and they saw Ville Heinola added to that laundry list. Despite that and despite the fact it was an important game for the Icehogs who were looking to punch their ticket to the playoffs the visitors got things started when Leon Gawanke (who else) scored his 20th of the season to open the scoring. After Greg Meireles snapped home this shot to tie the game followed by Jets 2019 2nd rounder Simon Lundmark scoring what turned out to be the game-winning goal (his first ever) to take it 3-2. They head to Chicago to conclude their regular season with a matinee. Puck drop is at 3 PM. They also learned who their first playoff opponent would be and not surprisingly it is a very, very familiar foe.
Note III: The Ice had the script flipped on them last night as the Warriors took it 5-3 (same score Winnipeg won the night before with) to even the series 1-1. They head to Moose Jaw for game 3 which goes on Tuesday night.
Jets news:
The Athletic Winnipeg: 6 storylines for 6 Jets players who spoke ahead of Game 1. (Paywall). Who doesn’t like some Harry Potter mixed in with their hockey storylines?
Winnipeg Sun: Jets can defy the odds in opening round versus Vegas. Scott takes a look at what the numbers tell him about this series and why it doesn’t look like a one seed vs an eight.
Winnipeg Sun: ‘Built for the playoffs:’ Jets hoping Pierre-Luc Dubois will have major impact in series with Golden Knights. Winnipeg is hoping to have the same version of Dubois who shut down Matthews in the bubble playoffs.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
Winnipeg Sun: Jets Lowry thinks Hellebuyck should get consideration for Hart, Vezina Trophies. The Hart isn’t a trophy won by goalies very often (last one was Carey Price in 2014-15) but if any player is most valuable to his team it is certainty Connor Hellebuyck. However that award is going to the other Connor…McDavid who put up a ridiculous 153 points this season and will likely run away with it.
Winnipeg Sun: Looking way back at the season series between the Jets and Golden Knights. Not sure there is much value given the last game these two clubs played was December 13th. Both teams have seen some big roster changes since that date.
Winnipeg Free Press: Jets confident recent struggles in past as they prepare for playoffs against Vegas. (Paywall). Whatever doesn’t kill you can only make you stronger or something like that. The fact is the Jets seem to have hit their stride just at the right moment and we shall see if they can pull this momentum with them into the playoffs.
Sportsnet: ‘Nothing is better than playoff hockey’: Eichel anxiously awaits postseason debut. Hard to believe that the second overall pick from 2015 hasn’t played in a playoff series to date. He is going to be a lot for the Jets to handle.
Sportsnet: Hellebuyck will have to top former backup Brossoit for Jets to beat Golden Knights. This storyline is going to be a fascinating one to follow.
Sportsnet: 2023 Stanley Cup Playoff Preview: Golden Knights vs. Jets. ‘Tis the season for series previews.
Elite Prospects: Previewing the Vegas Golden Knights vs. Winnipeg Jets series. (Paywall). Another preview with a more analytics bends.
Las Vegas Sun: Golden Knights, Jets to revisit 2018 playoff series. Check out the view from a writer that covers the Jets opponent.
Global News: First two home playoff games sold out, Winnipeg Jets say. The demand was high from what I am hearing.
Jets video:
TSN: What has to happen for each Canadian team to get out of the first round? With only three Canadian teams qualifying for the playoffs this season, The TSN Hockey panel discusses what the Maple Leafs, Oilers and Jets all have to do to advance to the second round of the postseason.
TSN: Playoff Preview: Golden Knights vs. Jets. The Jets have one of the best goaltenders in the world in Connor Hellebuyck, but what else do they need to beat the Golden Knights? The TSN Hockey panel and John Lu look ahead to the first-round series between Winnipeg and Vegas.
Global News: 3 Canadian teams aim for Stanley Cup, but many keeping eyes on Edmonton Oilers. Canadian hockey fans are primed and ready for the NHL playoffs next week. Three Canadian teams are in the running – all hoping to hold the Stanley Cup when all’s said and done. But as Eric Sorensen reports, the spotlight is shining bright on Edmonton.
Winnipeg Sports Talk: Can the Winnipeg Jets upset the Vegas Golden Knights? Andrew “Hustler” Paterson was joined by Scott Billeck of the Winnipeg Sun and they discuss the Winnipeg Jets first round series in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs vs. the Vegas Golden Knights and their path to winning the series.
Jets audio:
Illegal Curve Hockey Show: Saturday Podcast. On the show yesterday we had an extensive playoff preview of the Jets and Golden Knights series. We looked at the potential impact Mark Stone could have for Vegas ,the goalie duel between Connor Hellebuyck/Laurent Brossoit and more. We spoke with Murat Ates and Eric Duhatschek, both of The Athletic.
