Game 80: Jets vs Sharks pre-game report

The Jets are no longer in “must-win” category but if they want to continue to control their own destiny then they had better secure two points against one of the weakest teams in the NHL. San Jose comes into the game having lost two straight and are 3-5-2 in their last ten games. A win today will allow them to eliminate one of Calgary or Nashville who are playing each other tonight.

Given Winnipeg just played one of their most dominate games of the season no changes are expected but if any take place then the lines and D pairs will be amended accordingly. It will be the 12th straight start for Connor Hellebuyck.

Morning Skate news:

It’s an optional morning skate today and only two players are missing in Kyle Connor and Nikolaj Ehlers. Karson Kuhlman and Axel Jonsson-Fjallby skated in their place.

Lineup news:

Ehlers and Connor both exercised their options according to head coach Rick Bowness but he did say one is a game-time decision. It is worth noting that AJF was in a regular uniform while Karson Kuhlman was in a bright blue one. But Axel Jonsson-Fjallby stayed on late as well so we will have to wait for warm-up to know for sure.

Warm-up skate:

All three of Ehlers, Connor and Kuhlman took the ice but only Ehlers and Connor took line rushes so it appears that game-time decision resolved itself.

Jets projected lines & D pairs:

Connor-Dubois-Scheifele
Ehlers-Namestnikov-Wheeler
Niederreiter-Lowry-Appleton
Barron-Stenlund-Maenalanen

Morrissey-DeMelo
Dillon-Pionk
Samberg-Schmidt

Hellebuyck
Rittich

Players media availability:

Coach media availability:

Topics:

1) What are lessons learned from two previous meetings with Sharks?
2) What can carry over from Saturday’s game? (:40)
3) Jets lineup question marks? (1:36)
4) Colours of the jerseys for Kuhlman and Jonsson-Fjallby? (1:56)
5) Was Neal Pionk dealing with an injury earlier in season? (2:28)
6) Facing Jacob Peterson, who he coached in Dallas (3:34)
7) The way they played vs Saros, using that vs Reimer (4:07)
8) Mental importance of staying above playoff line (4:50)
9) Extra onus on them with Preds/Flames playing tnt (5:35)

Betway Odds:

Despite the fact that the Sharks have owned the Jets winning the last two meetings last month the oddsmakers see that San Jose team, that just got pumped 7-1 by Edmonton as significant underdogs to a Winnipeg team that knows what is at stake if they lose. Be sure to check out the latest game day odds from Betway.

Up Next:

Puck drop is at 6 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).