Note: The Jets had the opportunity to wait in Toronto while the Leafs were playing (and losing) to the Hurricanes in Raleigh last night. The Leafs are mired in a horrible downward spiral and the Jets are looking to keep pace in the Western Conference. Winnipeg is going to have to play a complete game as they can ill afford to not leave Toronto with two points.
Note II: Tune in from noon to 3 pm on TSN 1290 Winnipeg for the Illegal Curve Hockey Show. Three hours of hockey talk as the guys break down the 5-1 loss to the Capitals, preview tonight’s Jets/Leafs game and take a look around the NHL. Guests: Michael Traikos (National Post), Joe Haggerty (CSN New England) and Anson Carter (former NHLer).
Standings Watch: Canucks lost. Avalanche won. Blackhawks lost. Flames lost. Wild won.
Jets news:
Winnipeg Free Press: Wheels ready to roll. While the Jets got beat down on Thursday night the only good news was seeing Blake Wheeler return after taking a slap shot to his leg.
Winnipeg Free Press: No Kane big gain in Jets’ locker-room. Perhaps off ice it is a gain but the Jets sure could use the grit and speed that #9 brought to the game.
Winnipeg Free Press: The Whiteboard with J.P. Vigier – On the forecheck. J.P. has his white board out which means it is time for a lesson.
Winnipeg Free Press: Jets focus on staying out of penalty box. Considering their penalty kill has slipped since the start of January staying out of the penalty box tonight is critical.
Winnipeg Sun: What came first, defence or Hutch’s GAA? Ken writes about the goaltending and how there needs to be an all around improvement by the team in order to keep pushing forward towards the playoffs.
Photo Credit: Devon Edie
Winnipeg Sun: Jets work to put lacklustre loss behind them. The Jets as a team just didn’t look invested in Washington. They are going to need a bounce back effort against the Leafs. Ken writes that Jets bench boss Paul Maurice had quite the chat with his crew before practice started.
Winnipeg Sun: Jets need to alter forward lines to look like a playoff team. Ted argues that it is time to switch things up in order for Winnipeg to make a push for the post season.
Winnipeg Sun: Ehlers learning versatility. If you were wondering how the 2014 1st round pick was doing Ken gives you some insight.
TSN: Trio of Wheeler, Little and Ladd key to success. Dennis writes about the Jets top line and how important they are for this team.
Photo Credit: Rodney Braun
Globe and Mail: Newcomers Myers and Stafford are already fitting in well with Jets. The quick integration of both into the Jets system is of critical importance as they try to keep pace with the rest of the West.
Sportsnet: Makeup artist wows with facepainted NHL logos. That is a nice Jets logo and as David Puddy of Seinfeld would say “you gotta support the team”.
Illegal Curve: Michael Hutchinson proves clutch in the shootout. While the rookie netminder isn’t too concerned about being perfect in the shootout (14/14) he has stopped an impressive list of shooters.
Illegal Curve: How can the Jets play aggressive but disciplined in order avoid the sin bin? The consensus among fans seems to be taking less stick penalties which is what the Jets bench boss has been advocating since December.
Jets audio:
Globe and Mail: The Western Conference race and the trade deadline. Globe and Mail hockey columnist Eric Duhatschek joins Darren Yourk to look at how the Canucks, Jets and Flames fit into the playoff race and what might happen at the NHL trade deadline.
TSN 1290 Winnipeg: Hustler & Lawless. Pierre Lebrun discusses some players who might be on the move in the trade deadline and who the Winnipeg Jets may look to acquire.
Illegal Curve: Coach Maurice scrum from Toronto. Update on the guys who didn’t skate today. Further reflection on last night’s game. Factors on whether Byfuglien will be forward or defence. What have Myers and Stafford brought to this team? On Chiarot’s development. Has his team been good at ‘parking it’. Experience with the media pressure (Toronto specific).
Leafs news:
Toronto Sun: Ex-Leafs coach Maurice wrong to blame the media and the city for team’s woes. Appears the Jets bench boss rustled some media feathers with his comments.
Globe and Mail: With Leafs out of contention, injured Lupul resting instead of rushing back. Little point in risking further injury at this point.
