Note: The Jets head into a three day Christmas break sitting 6th in the Western Conference. The team will have a few days to recoup before a critical home and home with the Minnesota Wild who sit eight points back with three games in hand. While there are still 47 games to go in the season Sports Club Stats has the Jets chances at making the playoffs at 74.9%. Of course there is stiffer competition on the way but it’s the holidays so enjoy that number!!
Note II: Reminder that NHL Mid-Week is on holiday hiatus tonight.
Note III: Happy Holidays from all of us at Illegal Curve Hockey. We wish you and your family all the best. Have a safe and enjoyable holiday season.
Jets news:
Winnipeg Free Press: Draft, , develop, retain… sound familiar? It is certainly one that requires patience. Jets fans have shown this and more the past few years as they have waited for this core group to take the next step. Of course if the Jets can become a Hawks type of team than a few years of pain will be well worth the long term gain.
Winnipeg Free Press: Jets stop the unstoppable. When you want to be a power in your division it helps when you are able to knock off the division leader. Twice. As Gary writes in his article the Hawks have only four losses at home this season, and the Jets have handed them two of them. Both wins come from strong efforts from goalie Michael Hutchinson who followed up his impressive 1-0 win on November 2nd at the United Center with a 38 save performance last night.
Photo Credit: Colin Jensen
Winnipeg Sun: Jets dump Blackhawks 5-1. Many were surprised by last night’s impressive win. Ken gives you his detailed game assessment following the contest at the United Center.
Winnipeg Sun: Peluso snaps goal-less drought. The entire 4th line cashed in on the goal by Peluso and were praised for their effort by head coach Paul Maurice following the game.
ESPN Chicago: Holiday break comes at opportune time for Blackhawks after loss to Jets. This was a Chicago team that had won their previous eight home games and hadn’t given up five goals to an opponent all season long. Quite a win for Winnipeg.
CSN Chicago: Five Things from Blackhawks-Jets: Bad nights and good Jets. More on the game from the Chicago media perspective.
CBC: Four stories from Tuesday. Jets earn some praise for the win over their Central division rivals.
NHL.com: Fantasy Spin- Hutchinson, Perreault producing. Not only are the Jets getting notice as a team but individually some players are meriting mention in the fantasy realm for those of you who participate in hockey pools.
Jets 5 Blackhawks 1:
Illegal Curve: Coach Maurice post-game scrum (audio). Could that game have started any better for his team? Another two goals for Perreault. Not allowing the Hawks to get to pucks in front of the net. What does it mean to get that type of contribution from the 4th line? Does a win like this give his team even more confidence? What does he hope to get out of the break? Discussed this was a measuring stick game, how did his team measure up?
