Note: For just the second time since they’ve returned (and the first time outside of Winnipeg) the Jets will play a pair of games against the same team today and Thursday in Vancouver. Back in the lockout year folks may remember the Capitals came to town and stayed for a back to back here in Winnipeg. They may also remember that those Washington wins (4-0, 6-1) sealed the Jets playoff fate. Today the Jets will take on the Canucks with a 9 pm puck drop. As always keep it locked to illegalcurve.com for pre and post game news and on social media including via Twitter | Facebook | Instagram.
Note II: The Moose finished their five game road trip last night in Iowa with a 2-1 win over the Wild. Kyle Connor ripped home a goal with just over a minute to go in the 3rd to give Manitoba the victory. This meant that after five games on the road Manitoba went 1-3-1 and limped into the holiday break although at 12-12-2-2 they are well ahead of last year’s squad who at the holiday break were 8-16-1-2. The team is off until the 25th of December and won’t play again until December 30th when they play their first of six games at home.
Jets news:
Winnipeg Sun: Jets face quirky back-to-back games. It is a rarity as I illustrated above but it seems like the players aren’t adverse to this quirk in the schedule. One being in Vancouver for four days isn’t a hardship but secondly they get to treat it a bit like a home game, sans the crowd.
Winnipeg Sun: Tanev brothers set to face each other for first time as Jets visit Canucks. I remember when I was at a game in Detroit years ago and Ryan Miller was playing for the Sabres and Drew Miller for the Wings. Their mom wore a split Wings/Sabres jerseys to show her divided loyalty. Will it be similar for the Tanevs who get to see their kids suit up against each other for the very first time as professionals. Ben Kuzma of the Vancouver Sun also wrote about the Tanev brothers facing off which you can read here.
Winnipeg Sun: Jets looking for third straight win. Can Winnipeg finally get that elusive three game winning streak that they have failed to put together in quite some time?
Winnipeg Sun: Five keys to Jets-Canucks game. Ted’s list includes: 1) Keep it rolling. 2) Let the kids loose. 3) Steady D. 4) Brother act. 5) Stop the Sedins. And Ted’s big matchup is Connor Hellebuyck vs. Jacob Markstrom.
Winnipeg Free Press: Thorburn leads the NHL in number of fights. (Paywall). He’s had nine bouts this season and according to hockeyfights.com his record is 2-4-3 to date. Paul has more on the pugilistic aspect of the sniper’s game.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence
Winnipeg Free Press: Alexander Burmistrov concerned about future with Jets. (Paywall). It has been problematic for him to crack the lineup when the Jets had injuries and now it looks like they are about to get healthy, which when you add 1 + 1, doesn’t really appear to equal a roster spot for the centre. Coach Maurice said following practice yesterday when Jason asked about Burmistrov’s place on this team “we both have a pretty clear understanding of where he’s at” which sounded rather ominous but at the same time is ambiguous enough to leave the bench boss some wiggle room if he ends up using 91 in the lineup.
Jets website: Tanev a quick study of the NHL game. Speed, tenacity and toughness are all ways I would describe Tanev’s game. Ryan goes in-depth with the Jets forward in this article.
CBC: Patrik Laine looks forward to feasting with family during 1st Christmas in Winnipeg. Bringing a little bit of Finland to the Manitoba Prairies.
Global News: Jets learning from rookie Patrik Laine. This is a young core that appears to be learning and teaching each other a host of new tricks each and every game or practice.
Sportsnet: Rookie of the Week – Patrik Laine. (Video). A sniperiffic one-timer, three assists and a rookie best +5 over the past seven days is plenty of ammunition to hand Patrik Laine the rookie of the week title.
USA Today: Ten NHL predictions for 2017 – From the bold to the obvious. The Jets factor into #1 (Laine) and #3 (Perreault) in Kevin Allen’s list.
Illegal Curve: Jets Injury Report. Joel Armia, Nic Petan and Shawn Matthias all wore grey uniforms at the skate and following same coach Maurice provided this update.
Illegal Curve: Jets Practice Report. A look at the lines, D pairs and everything that was happening on the ice at the MTS Centre yesterday. In addition we hear from Blake Wheeler, Nikolaj Ehlers and Mark Scheifele as well as head coach Paul Maurice.
Moose news:
Global News: Moose end 6 game slide to enter holiday break on a winning note. Russ brings you up to speed with some of the details from last night’s game.
Prospect news:
OurSportsCentral: Mikhail Berdin named USHL co-goaltender of the Week. Nice bit of news for the Jets 2016 sixth round pick.
