Winnipeg Jets Afternoon Links

Note:  After the game, be sure to check us out for all the post-game reaction. As soon as the site is updated we notify you via twitter @illegalcurve and Facebook.

Jets news:

Winnipeg Free Press:  Jets kick off five-game homestand with Predators.  You need to beat the other teams in your division and you need to accumulate points early.  Seems simple enough.  Gary writes about the importance of both as the Jets kick off a big five game homestand.

Winnipeg Sun:  Maurice wants Winnipeg Jets to feed off rabid crowd in home opener.  Ken writes about the Jets coach harnessing the crowd for his team’s benefit.

NHL.com:  At the Rink.  Patrick wrote about the Jets and Preds today following practice and gives you his thoughts on tonight’s action between the central division rivals.

Jets official site:  360 view of the MTS Centre (video).  If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to stand at centre ice and look around the arena here is your chance.

Illegal Curve:  Jets vs. Predators projected lineups.  Take a look at what the lines looked like after practice today and what combos you should expect to see at the MTS Centre this evening.

Illegal Curve:  Coach Maurice pre-game scrum (audio).  Does he have a home opener philosophy?  Based on the changes to playoffs do central divisions match-ups become more significant?  On importance of getting points early in the season.  What does Chris Thorburn bring to the 3rd line?  Did he notice a difference with the team on how they play on the road vs. home?  How do they get to Pekka Rinne?  Adding Byfuglien to the Wheeler/Scheifele line, do roles change?  Does he see chemistry between Wheeler and Byfuglien?  Working on players confidence.

TSN 1290 Winnipeg:  The Big Show (audio).  After an off-season that saw the goalie rededicate himself in regards to fitness, TSN analyst Jamie McLennan outlines why Ondrej Pavelec could be on track for a bounceback season.

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

Predators news:

The Tennessean:  Volchenkov adds more grit to Pedators’ defense.  Sure sounds like he adds quite a bit to an already formidable Predators defence.  We spoke to former NHLer and current Predators Color Analyst Stu Grimson on Wednesday during NHL Mid Week and I asked if Volchenkov still has gas left in the tank (starts at 6:50 of interview) and he certainly echoed the sentiments in the article.