Many Jets fans became Canucks fans last night as Vancouver was in Dallas to take on the Stars. They were probably looking to turn in their temporary fan cards as the Stars built leads of 3-0 and 5-2 over the Canucks which they held until the 19 minute mark of the 3rd period. Then Vancouver decided to turn on the jets and they scored three goals in the next 53 seconds to tie the game and force OT. The visitors would win the game which was big for Winnipeg as it meant that Dallas didn’t gain two points and also kept them from tying the Jets with regulation wins (which is the first standings tie breaker).
Waking up on Wednesday morning and the standings look like with each team having four games remaining:
1. Winnipeg (110 points)
2. Dallas (106 points)
Jets lead by one when it comes to regulation wins. When you go to the next criteria for breaking a tie Winnipeg has a big edge of 52-48 for regulation plus overtime wins.
Sure sets itself up for a big game tomorrow night in Dallas between the Stars and Jets.
Roster question marks:
With the Jets not skating on Tuesday we will have to wait and see what’s the latest regarding the five players who are dealing with either injury or illness. Nikolaj Ehlers was listed as a game-time decision for the last game although he ultimately didn’t take warm-up skate/play in the game against the Blues. Colin Miller (illness) was also considered game-time and didn’t take warm-up. We know Rasmus Kupari skated on his own for the first time two days ago as he returns from a concussion while Neal Pionk is working on his conditioning as he looks close to a return to the lineup. Last up is Gabriel Vilardi who we were told was close to getting back on the ice.
Skate news:
No Luke Schenn and Nikolaj Ehlers this morning. Colin Miller and Neal Pionk are skating.
Lines and D pairs:
Connor-Scheifele-Iafallo
Niederreiter-Namestnikov-Perfetti
Tanev-Lowry-Appleton
Gustafsson-Barron-JAD
Kupari (non-contact)
Morrissey-DeMelo
Samberg-Pionk
Stanley-Fleury
Heinola-Miller
Players media availability:
Coach media availability:
Topics:
1) Neal Pionk as the Wpg rep for the Bill Masterton Trophy*
2) Help from out of town on the scoreboard (:15)
3) Success against the Central Division (:53)
4) Team supporting a teammate (1:50)
5) Pionk’s role off the ice with the team (3:49)
6) What was his takeaway from his meeting with leadership this summer? (4:44)
7) Importance of way they won vs Blues given tomorrow’s opponent (5:54)
8) Health updates (7:13)
*Please note the audio got cut off for about 30 seconds with respect to the question and part of head coach Scott Arniel’s response.
Health updates:
As expected Luke Schenn went back to Nashville to see his family with a few days between games. Nikolaj Ehlers will skate tomorrow and is considered a game-time decision. They wanted to rest it up with Ehlers. Rasmus Kupari is coming on the trip but remains out and Neal Pionk is a possibility for tomorrow. He too is listed as a game-time decision.
Up Next:
The Jets head out on the road for the final two regular season road games starting with a massive game in Dallas against the Stars as both teams push for top spot in the division and the entire NHL. You can start your day with all the latest Jets and Moose news in the AM Papers on illegalcurve.com which are available starting at 7 AM CDT, check back for the pre-game report for all the latest news and then join us after the final buzzer on the Illegal Curve Post-Game Show. Reminder tomorrow is a Boston Pizza IC Watch Party night so join us at the BP on Taylor Avenue and thanks to our friends at CCM we’ll have a cool prize to win!!
