Winnipeg Jets Afternoon Links

Note: After the Jets game, be sure to check us out for all the post-game reaction. As soon as illegalcurve.com is updated we notify you via Twitter | Facebook | Instagram.

Note II:  The Winnipeg Whiteout Street Party is going to be the biggest one yet.  Here are more details on the festivities which are expected to draw 23,000 to downtown Winnipeg in addition to the 15,000+ that will be inside Bell MTS Place.

Jets news:

Winnipeg Sun: Jets look to close out Predators as the Presidents’ Trophy winners are on the ropes going into Game 6. They say the clinching game is the hardest one to win in a series. Ken previews tonight’s game.

Winnipeg Free Press:  This city is going crazy, we’re going crazy here,’: Jets fired up for tonight, excited Ehlers says.  (Paywall).  Jets captain Blake Wheeler jokingly (or not) after game 5 said he didn’t expect to be doing a lot of grocery shopping ahead of today’s game.  The city has gone mad with Jets fever and it all culminates (they hope) tonight.  Mike provides his insight ahead of the contest.

TSN:  Stastny proving to be the ultimate deadline rental.  I’ve had countless folks tell me that he shouldn’t be a rental because of how seamlessly he has fit into this team but with cap space being at a premium over the next few years it might not be very likely.  But for now they can enjoy the ride with a centre who has brought a lot of stability to his linemates. 

The Athletic:  Mark Scheifele creating space to deliver elite production in postseason. (Paywall).  It has been clear for some time that 55 has been able to elevate his game and he has continued that into this post-season.

The Athletic:  Young, deep Jets look a lot like some past Cup winners, according to Duncan Keith and Chris Pronger.  (Paywall).  Couple of guys who know what it takes to win share their thoughts on this Winnipeg club.

The Athletic: Recalling the day we drafted Dustin Byfuglien — a fat, talented kid who turned into a star. (Paywall).  I always enjoy reading this type of insight into the team thought process behind selecting a player.

The Athletic: Nashville’s power play has been scoring but Winnipeg’s penalty kill looks good. (Paywall). The special teams play has been big for both squads in the first 5 games.

The Athletic: What do the Predators need to do to win Game 6? (Paywall).  Burnside takes a look at what this Nashville team needs to do in order to ensure that PK Subban’s guarantee comes to fruition.

Illegal Curve:  Jets vs. Predators Game 6 Round 2 pre-game report. The Jets skated today as they got ready to face Nashville at Bell MTS Place tonight ahead of game 6.  Includes scrums with Blake Wheeler, Mathieu Perreault and Josh Morrissey.

Illegal Curve: Morning Papers.  If you missed any of the news we have you covered.

Jets video:

Sportsnet:  Momentum’s been hard to maintain in Jets-Predators series. Sean Reynolds and Luke Fox get you set for Game 6 Predators vs. Jets, where all signs point to a Nashville victory, as neither team has been able to string together two straight wins.

Sportsnet: Jets proved they can play Nashville-style hockey and win. NHL analyst John Shannon sets up Game 6 in Winnipeg, by breaking down a very crucial 7-minute segment in Game 5, where the Jets proved they can play Nashville-style hockey and succeed.

Jets audio:

Illegal Curve:  Coach Maurice pre-game scrum.  Topics included – On Bryan Little’s absence. What did he learn from his first close out game in round 1? Importance of fast starts. Reflecting back to the first round. What has changed for this roster in a year? How has the team handled the balance of excitement in the city vs need for focus on hockey? If someone would have told him at the beginning of the season that Vegas would be in the Conference Final what would he have said? Lack of after whistle antics in this series. Has Laine brought another level of consistency to his game in the playoffs? What is the message to Nikolaj Ehlers heading into game 6? What does it mean to him to be able to be in the position to have his team advance to the Western Final?

TSN 1290 Winnipeg: Jets need to bring their speed in game six. TSN 1290 Jets analyst Trevor Kidd joined host Kevin Olszewski to set up Game 6 between the Winnipeg Jets and Nashville Predators.

TSN 1290 Winnipeg: Maurice deserves praise for Jets strong play. TSN’s Bob McKenzie joined the show on the heels of Winnipeg’s Game 6 against Nashville to break down the series so far including the crazy Game 5 victory, what’s gone wrong on Nashville’s side and why Paul Maurice’s contributions should not go unnoticed in the Jets run.