Winnipeg Jets Afternoon Links

Note: Puck drop is at 8:30 pm CDT tonight as the Jets kick off the Stanley Cup Playoffs with game 1 in Vegas against the Golden Knights. After the game, be sure to check us out for all the post-game reaction.

Note II: We want you to be part of the conversation on the Illegal Curve Playoff Post-Game Show once the final buzzer sounds between Winnipeg and Vegas.

Jets news:

Global News: Wealth of connections between Jets, Golden Knights with playoffs set to begin. It may as well become known as the Golden Knights of the 204/431/584 with all of those Manitoba connections.

Daily Faceoff: Can Connor Hellebuyck tip the scales for the Winnipeg Jets to upset Vegas? Frank and Mike had a chat about this match-up and if 37 could be a difference maker.

Sportsnet: Why the eighth-seeded Winnipeg Jets know they’ve got what it takes to shock the hockey world. Are they the little engine that could? Guess we are about to find out. Once thing about this team, they do love an “us against the world” mentality. 

The Athletic Winnipeg: For this Winnipeg Jets core, it’s now or never in the playoffs. (Paywall). That statement can be said for most seasons as you don’t always know if this is your ‘last chance for romance’ but with this group that seems inevitable this summer. 

Las Vegas Sun: Nate Schmidt looking forward to playoff hockey in Vegas as the opponent. It is pretty clear how closely connected the Minnesota product is to his former club. 

CBC: Manitoba First Nation cheers on hometown NHL player taking on the Jets in playoffs. It really is amazing how much talent that team (not just the players either) has from this province. Nice to see Whitecloud’s community rally around him.

Illegal Curve: Jets vs Golden Knights pre-game 1 report. The Jets held an optional morning skate as they prepared to face Vegas. Check out the projected lines and D pairs and hear from players/coaching staff media availabilities.

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

Jets video:

TSN: All In: Jets vs. Golden Knights – Stenlund a game-time decision; Ehlers not in optional skate. The Jets held an optional skate ahead of their series opener against the Golden Knights tonight and TSN Jets reporter John Lu shares what he observed, including no Nikolaj Ehlers on the ice. Kevin Stenlund’s participation in Game 1 will be a game-time decision.