Winnipeg Jets Afternoon Links

Note: Puck drop is at 7:00 pm for tonight’s game between the Jets and Leafs.  After the game, be sure to check us out for all the post-game reaction.

Note II:  It has been a busy day for news.  Winnipeg reassigned Joona Luoto to the Moose, advised that Nathan Beaulieu is out a minimum of a month, have recalled Sami Niku to Jets.  Additionally the Moose have recalled Jets 2016 4th rounder Jacob Cederholm back to Manitoba.  When you add in Carl Dahlstrom’s return to the Jets lineup it has been one Nordic day.

Jets news:

NHL.com: Toronto can extend point streak to nine; Hellebuyck expected in goal for Winnipeg.  Includes a game preview, players to watch, pre-game quotes, projected lineups for both teams, status reports and a stat pack.

Winnipeg Free Press: Jets expect to see a style change with Leafs in town.  (Paywall).  The Leafs will bring that Eastern Conference game to Winnipeg tonight and that will be a different animal than what this team has faced in their last few games against the Blues and Avalanche.

Winnipeg Sun:  Five keys to the game.  Scott starts off with his big matchup which involves Mark Scheifele’s line vs. Toronto’s top defensive pair. His five keys include: 1) More Vezinabuyck. 2) Nothing special. 3) Special recipe. 4) Roslovic sighting. 5) Road warriors.

Illegal Curve: Jets vs. Leafs pre-game report. The Jets held a morning skate this morning followed by a media availability before they take on Toronto which takes place at 7:00 pm CST. Check out the projected lines and D pairs and hear from Patrik Laine, Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele.

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

Jets video:

TSN: What has been most impressive over first half of the season? What has been the most impressive aspect of the Jets over the first half of the season? What has led to the upswing in Kyle Connor’s play? What do we have to look forward to in the second half of the campaign? Sara Orlesky and Ken Wiebe have more.

TSN: Should we expect a free-wheeling affair between Jets and Maple Leafs? With the Jets hosting the Maple Leafs on TSN 3 and TSN 4 tonight, Sara Orlesky and Kristen Shilton take a closer look at the match-up, including some of the similarities between the two clubs, and what could ultimately decide the game.

Sportsnet: Still trying to figure out whether Jets are legitimate contenders. Winnipeg reporter Sean Reynolds joins Hockey Central to discuss why he believes the Jets are a legit playoff team, that could contend for a Stanley Cup if they clean a couple of small things up.

Sportsnet: Laine learned two skills this offseason that nobody thought he could. Jets reporter Sean Reynolds joins Hockey Central to discuss why he thinks Patrik Laine deserves votes for most improved player this season, for the work he put in this offseason to improve his passing and his physical play.

Jets audio:

Illegal Curve:  Coach Maurice pre-game scrum.  Topics included – Update on Nathan Beaulieu?  What will he be looking for from Carl Dahlstrom as he gets back into the lineup?  Kyle Connor’s ability to score in different ways.  What is an underappreciated part of Kyle Connor’s game?  What is the next level for Kyle Connor?  Did the three central division games help get his group back to the game he wants?  How does he try to carry over what they did against the Eastern Conference teams?  What are the factors that have put the Jets in a playoff spot at this point in the season?  Is it tough to gain reinforcement when guys have to sustain pain instead of highlight reel play?