The Jets were off on Friday as they officially bid adieu to the regular season and get set to kick off their first round series with the Golden Knights which gets started in Nevada on Tuesday night. The full schedule was revealed last night.
The only question marks heading into today’s practice is the health status of Nikolaj Ehlers, who left the game against the Wild and didn’t return to the ice until after the game ended when he celebrated with his teammates. He was held out of the final game of the regular season on Thursday in Colorado with an upper-body injury. Speaking of that last game against the Avalanche the team lost Kevin Stenlund who appeared to get injured right after he scored a shorthanded goal. Didn’t appear to be much concern with him but we will have to keep our eyes on practice.
Skate news:
No Nikolaj Ehlers today for skate as per Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press but before you fret there were a number of players missing today according to Mike including: Hellebuyck. Pionk. Dillon. DeMelo. Samberg. Connor. Lowry. Ehlers. Appleton. Niederreiter. Barron. Namestnikov. Maenalanen.
Ehlers status for game 1:
The news Jets fans were waiting to hear as Mike indicates Ehlers “just declared himself “ready to go” for Game 1 of the playoffs. Said never a concern he wouldn’t be available”. Sounds like the Jets bench boss Rick Bowness isn’t quite ready to declare that but fact 27 spoke today is a good sign that he will play.
Players interview:
Coach’s media availability:
Topics:
1) Status of Nikolaj Ehlers?
2) How would he describe his four lines? (:42)
3) Does he feel this team (with numbers to back them up) can compete with anyone? (1:41)
4) Playing with their backs against the wall down stretch (3:07)
5) Does he tap into emotion players might have from 2018? (3:43)
6) Keys to playing Jets hockey (4:22)
7) Fans supporting the team (5:12)
8) What kind of impact can Pierre-Luc Dubois have on this series? (6:36)
9) Thoughts on the move of Mark Scheifele to the wing (7:37)
10) Status of Kevin Stenlund (9:04)
11) Will Ehlers practice tomorrow? (9:16)
12) How much did his comments post Sharks loss impact team? (10:04)
Health update:
After leaving the game against the Avalanche Kevin Stenlund didn’t skate today and according to head coach Rick Bowness he is day-to-day.
Up next:
Tomorrow we believe will be another day of practice for the Jets (schedule not yet out). Kick start your morning with all the latest news via illegalcurve.com and then check back with us for the Practice Report.
