Note: The Jets certainly didn’t make it easy on themselves against the Lightning as they built up a 3-0 lead, only to watch Tampa Bay score three quick goals to tie the game. But with just two seconds left on the clock, Mark Scheifele scored on a 5-on-3 power play to give Winnipeg a dramatic 4-3 win. Brayden Yager scored his first NHL goal while Viggo Björck picked up his first multi-point game with two assists. That’s three straight wins for the Jets after their nine-game losing streak. Jets practice at 12 noon so check back for the Practice Report.
Note II: The Moose are in Texas today after using Sunday as a travel day following their weekend sweep of the defending Calder Cup champion Marlies. They’ll begin their five-game road trip with a practice at 2 PM in Cedar Park as they prepare for a Central Division showdown with the Stars on Tuesday night. The biggest question mark is whether Walker Duehr (illness) and Noah Gregor (nicked up) made the trip. As well, are veteran defenceman Ashton Sautner and forward Tyson Empey healthy enough to return to practice??
Note III: Jets prospect Alexandre Taillefer (2026 5th) scored the OT winner for Quebec, his third goal of the season. The left-shot defenceman has already matched his career high in goals, doing so in 24 fewer games. He’s now up to 3G 11A for 14 points in 16 games.
Note IV: The biggest story coming out of Sunday night wasn’t the Jets’ dramatic win over the Lightning or even Connor Hellebuyck recording his first shutout with New Jersey. Instead, it was the Devils announcing that their star netminder won’t play against his former team in Winnipeg on Tuesday night. GM Sunny Mehta explained the organization’s reasoning in a statement, while Hellebuyck spoke to the media following his team’s game in Toronto about being kept out of the lineup. The timing of the announcement was certainly curious and has only added to what was already going to be a highly anticipated return to Winnipeg.
Note V: Illegal Curve merchandise is officially on sale! Whether you’re looking to add some IC gear to your wardrobe or pick something up for a fellow Jets fan, we’ve got a number of options available. Head over to our merchandise store to check out the selection and place your order. As always, we appreciate your support of Illegal Curve!
Note VI: There certainly won’t be any shortage of topics to discuss on today’s Daily Dose of IC Hockey. Between the Jets winning their third straight game in dramatic fashion and the Devils’ decision to keep Connor Hellebuyck out of Tuesday’s game in Winnipeg, we’ve got plenty to get into. Join us live at 3 PM CT on our YouTube channel as we break it all down and share our thoughts on what has become a very interesting couple of days in Jetsland.
Jets news:
NHL.com: Scheifele scores with 1.6 seconds left, Jets recover against Lightning. Darrin gives you insight from both rooms in his game recap. And what’s with this team and their propensity or scoring clutch goals with 1.6 seconds left on the clock.
NHL.com: Hellebuyck will not start for Devils in return to Winnipeg. When 37 said it was “outta my hands” I find that hard to believe given he was not that was in all the years we have covered him (which dates back to his Moose days).
Winnipeg Sun: Hellebuyck to address ‘sour taste’ in Winnipeg, but won’t suit up against Jets. I will be shocked if he says anything of substance on Tuesday. By that I mean addressing his reasons for wanting to leave this market. I think both he and the Jets know there is zero value to going scorched earth on each other.
Winnipeg Sun: ‘The crazy might happen’: Jets pull out another one against Lightning. Have to hand it to this team. They continue to find ways to win. And they are making folks forget the stink of the nine-game losing streak in favour of the three-game win streak.
Winnipeg Free Press: Hellebuyck not playing against Jets, Devils GM says. (Paywall). I am not sure we will ever see a stranger statement put out by an NHL team ever again.
Winnipeg Free Press: Jets beat buzzer to rescue win after squandering three-goal lead. (Paywall). While it salvaged the two points, it doesn’t erase the fact that Winnipeg almost fumbled away a well played game in the third period.
The Athletic: Devils announce Connor Hellebuyck will not start in return to Winnipeg. (Paywall). Reaction from outside this market to the decision.
Sportnset: Why Connor Hellebuyck won’t be ‘facing the music’ in Winnipeg. I am still at a loss as to why the Devils thought it was a good idea to put that statement out last night. Why not wait until later today. Or ever better yet tomorrow when we notice Hellebuyck not in the starter’s crease.
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