Game 72: Jets vs Coyotes pre-game report

The Coyotes looked like they were only interested in being top contender in the Connor Bedard sweepstakes but they have won four straight and are 6-2-2 in their last ten games.

The Jets are needing to take advantage of the fact that both Calgary and Nashville lost their last games and failed to gain ground on a Winnipeg team that couldn’t either.

Since the team was off on Monday we do not know if there will be any lineup changes for the Jets. The expectation is that Connor Hellebuyck will get the net as these are two points that they cannot afford to squander. For now the lines and D pairs are based on last game.

Skate news:

As per Scott Billeck of the Winnipeg Sun it will be Connor Hellebuyck getting the start in net for Winnipeg. He also confirms the lines and D pairs below.

Warm-up news:

Kyle Capobianco taking warm-up. No Dylan Samberg. Reports from morning skate indicated that Samberg was in some pain after blocking a shot.

Jets projected lines & D pairs:

Connor – Scheifele – Neiderreiter
Ehlers -Dubois – Wheeler
Namestnikov – Lowry – Appleton
Barron – Stenlund – Maënalanen

Morrissey-DeMelo
Dillon-Pionk
Capobianco-Schmidt

Hellebuyck
Rittich

Players media availability:

Coach media availability:

Topics:

1) When the template works in one game but is gone the next.
2) What do they need to do vs Yotes to protect the puck? (1:35)
3) Arizona’s three top scorers outscoring entire Jets top 9 last 10 games (3:13)
4) What gives him belief his team can get back to playing right way? (5:12)
5) Not seeing the right body language from this group vs Blues (6:02)
6) How does he help Kyle Connor break his slump? (6:51)
7) Did he want more NRG from morning skate today? (8:20)
8) Puck mismanagement tied to being scored on first? (9:00)
9) Adjusting the power play units (9:46)
10) Importance of first goal (10:28)

Betway Odds:

Despite how well things have gone for Arizona of late they have a terrible road record this season going just 7-21-8 away from the Grand Canyon State. Conversely they face a Jets team that have been very good in Winnipeg with a 21-12-2 home record. Accordingly, the oddsmakers have given a big edge to the home team in this contest. Be sure to check out the latest game day odds from Betway.

Up Next:

Puck drop is at 7:00 pm CDT.  Be sure to head over to illegalcurve.com following the game for a recap of the action which includes post-game interviews from Jets players as well as from head coach Rick Bowness.

You can also join us afterwards for the Illegal Curve Post-Game Show (be sure to smash that like/subscribe button). This season you’ll have a chance to win great schwag including authentic Jets jerseys, hats, etc after every single game (For a variety of ways to enter click here).