Game 9: Winnipeg Jets vs Toronto Maple Leafs pre-game report

The Jets returned back to Winnipeg after three games on the road with three more wins under their belt improving their undefeated record to 8-0-0. They are back in Manitoba for tonight’s game against Toronto before they head out for two more contests away from Canada Life Centre. Special teams continue to tell a big story for the home team as they currently sit 1st in the NHL on the power play and are 6th best on the penalty kill.

Tonight’s opponent will bring a lot of national media attention as it usually does when the Leafs come to town. Toronto is sitting with a 4-4-1 record although they have lost three straight as they look to get back on track to remain in contention in the Atlantic. The power play hasn’t been clicking sitting 29th in the NHL while the PK is a bright spot in 9th overall.  William Nylander leads the way with five goals on the season while Mitch Marner has the most points (1G 9A).

Morning skate news:

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it us the philosophy as the Jets won’t make any lineup changes other than Connor Hellebuyck getting back the net.

Lines & D pairs:

Connor-Scheifele-Vilardi
Perfetti-Namestnikov-Ehlers
Niederreiter-Lowry-Appleton
Barron-Kupari-Iafallo

Morrissey-DeMelo
Samberg-Pionk
Stanley-Miller

Hellebuyck
Comrie

Player media:

Coach media:

Topics:

1) Benefits of playing close game vs blow outs.
2) Consistent play at home and on the road (:43)
3) Cole Perfetti’s composure (1:37)
4) How do they exploit Perfetti further? (2:31)
5) Perfetti’s goal a function of how they want the PP to work? (3:07)
6) Giving up first goal of game in 6 of 8 games, yet 8-0-0. (3:57)
7) What fine details would he like to see in his team play? (5:08)

Special edition pre-game show:

We’ve got the first special edition show of the season coming to you live from Cityplace today at 12 noon. You can join us live there or you can watch it on our YouTube channel:

Up Next:

Puck drop is at 6:30 PM CDT.  Be sure to head over to illegalcurve.com following the game for a recap of the action. Reminder to join us on the Illegal Curve Post-Game Show around 9:10 PM CDT as we discuss and analyze the results of the game.

Pre-game podcast:

David Minuk

Working hard on a daily basis to provide the latest Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba Moose news for our readers and listeners. I also appear on the Illegal Curve Hockey Show every Saturday on our YouTube channel as well as the Illegal Curve Post-Game Show after every single Jets game. And I occasionally jump in the play-by-play booth at Canada Life to provide colour analysis during Manitoba Moose games.

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