Note: If you thought the Jets were going to win both these back-to-backs against Dallas and then Chicago you should probably go buy a lotto ticket or at least a Sports Select ticket. The Jets will have a full day off so we are not likely to get any update on the status of Mathieu Perreault until Sunday. But as always stay tuned to @illegalcurve for any news.
Note II: While the Jets may have the day off join the Illegal Curve Hockey Show on TSN 1290 Winnipeg for three hours of hockey talk beginning at noon until 3 pm. The guys will be discussing the Jets back-t0-back wins, look ahead to the game against the Coyotes at MTS Centre on Sunday and take a look around the NHL. Guests: Sean Burke (Coyotes Assistant to the General Manager/Goaltender Coach) and Adam Proteau (The Hockey News).
Note III: This morning we got word from TVA Sports et Journal de Montréal reporter Renaud Lavoie on Mathieu Perreault saying it was not a fracture. The team had the day off so this will be confirmed on Sunday.
Jets news:
Winnipeg Free Press: Chevy will have to play Cap’n Crunch. Gary writes about the need to start getting some critical players signed once again to contracts in this piece and how it will not be a simple task for the Jets GM.
Winnipeg Free Press: You mean this isn’t Winnipeg? Over 100 years ago Winnipeg was known as the Chicago of the North but all these years later perhaps we should be referencing Chicago as the Winnipeg of the South as the Jets have shown they are quite comfortable playing in the friendly confines of the United Center.
Winnipeg Sun: Jets double up on Blackhawks. If there wasn’t bad blood before the puck dropped there certainly is plenty now. Ken breaks down the entire contest.
Winnipeg Sun: Hutchinson continues to own Blackhawks. Three games and three wins at the United Center for the goalie they call Clutch this season in the windy city. Not too bad for a rookie. He is responsible for half of the clean losses that the Hawks have at their home barn. Despite a shaky start he put on an excellent performance for another impressive win.
Photo Credit: Colin Jensen
Winnipeg Sun: Kane proves he’s able. I’m not sure anyone can question his will based on the fact that he is clearly playing while not 100%. Without Kane in the lineup the depth is just not there but with him playing, it forces the opposition to be aware of and plan for more than just the top two lines of Winnipeg.
Chicago Sun-Times: Jets again make themselves at home at UC in win over Hawks. Winnipeg sure seems to have earned themselves some respect from this Hawks team. One can only imagine what a playoff series would be like between these two teams.
CSN Chicago: Five Things learned from Blackhawks’ latest home loss to Jets. If there is one team that seems to be a burr in the saddle of the Hawks it is the Winnipeg Jets. Read Tracy’s five takeaways from the game.
Winnipeg Sun: Trading one of their top-six defencemen would be good for business. Paul with a bold suggestion in his column. While the team clearly could use an addition at forward will Kevin Cheveldayoff and company be willing to part with a core member of the backend?
Sportsnet: Byfuglien throws hits to Super Mario music. The music alone is worth it but the extra life sound on the Byfuglien kiss makes this video an A+.
CBS Sports: Which teams are playing like Stanley Cup contenders in 2014-15? The Jets continue to surprise the hockey world. Seemed unlikely based on the pre-season prognostications but that is why teams play an entire season and don’t allow the pundits to determine the outcome in advance.
TSN 1290 Winnipeg: Hustler & Lawless (audio). Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun joined the guys on Friday to discuss Dustin Byfuglien. LeBrun says Byfuglien’s resigning value is being affected by his own performance and other signings. LeBrun discusses the Jets as the surprise team of the year and the fortuitous signing of Michael Perreault.
TSN 1290 Winnipeg: Hustler & Lawless (audio). Josh Morrissey looks back at Canada’s win at the World Juniors, discusses being traded from the Prince Albert Raiders to the Kelowna Rockets and if he’s been keeping up with the success of the Winnipeg Jets.
Jets 4 Blackhawks 2:
Illegal Curve: Jets lose Mathieu Perreault after cheap shot by Carcillo. At the end of the 2nd period we witnessed a brutal Carcillo cheap shot which cost Winnipeg the hottest goal scorer in the league since mid November. If you missed the hit it is in the post.
Illegal Curve: Coach Maurice post-game (audio). Update on Perreault. Did he see the hit on Perreault? What does he think should happen? On whether or not Player Safety would review it. What did he think of how his players responded? What kind of boost did the team get from Peluso’s fight? How would he describe Michael Hutchinson’s play tonight? What has made Zach Bogosian so successful since his return? Do they have a mental edge against the Hawks?
