Note: The Jets hit the ice at 11:00 AM for the second consecutive day at MTS Centre. They continue to prepare for the biggest game of the season as they look to gain playoff ground in a Saturday matinee against the Canucks.
Games of significance last night: Flames lost. Wild lost. Canucks lost. Kings won.
Games of significance tonight: Stars (vs. Blues). Avalanche (@ Ducks). Sharks (vs. Coyotes).
Jets news:
Sportsnet: Hockey Central (video). Panel of Daren Millard, John Shannon and Rich Sutter talk about Winnipeg and what they need to do as well as the importance of having Tyler Myers step up with Byfuglien suspended.
Sportsnet: 30 Thoughts. Jets crack thought 1, 2 and 3 (Byfuglien suspension).
Winnipeg Free Press: Jets can handle a Buff-less existence. The fact is this team has been able to put wins on the board without the big man on the ice. Guys like Enstrom, Myers and Trouba will thrive with the extra ice time. Anytime a player has been missing this team has thrived with the adversity. Can this pattern continue?
Winnipeg Free Press: Jets all business as they prep for final 5. While many players said they don’t scoreboard watch they had to feel some relief that only the Kings managed to pick up any points last night. But as Bryan Little said yesterday they can only control what is happening on the ice in front of them so the pressure is on Winnipeg to gain as many points as they can in the five contests remaining.
Winnipeg Free Press: The continuing evolution of Adam Lowry. J.P. gets out his Whiteboard and writes (and speaks) about the development of the Jets 2011 3rd round pick.
Winnipeg Sun: Jay Harrison will get the call. Big responsibility on his shoulders for the next few games.
The Province: Jets trying to avoid late-season crash. Folks from outside Manitoba are talking about the Jets and the quest for the playoffs.
TSN: Dreger on Byfuglien (video). TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger has more on the punishment, whether or not the ban was severe enough and what it means for the Jets’ playoff push.
TSN: Jets defend Byfuglien’s character after Miller hit. Considering how close this group of guys are it really isn’t that surprising that they defended one of the leaders in the room. Of course if you expect them to say anything other than the above I’ve got some swamp land in Florida to sell you.
Illegal Curve: Dustin Byfuglien gets a 4 game suspension. From what I heard and read from Jets fans most seemed fine with a suspension for big #33. I’m not sure they were expecting four games considering it was Byfuglien’s first time being suspended.
Illegal Curve: Practice Report. A look at the Jets lines from yesterday’s practice at the MTS Centre as well as audio from Andrew Ladd, Bryan Little, Mark Stuart and Jay Harrison.
The Hockey news: Prospect Eric Comrie makes 66 saves in losing effort. While I’m sure he would have preferred the win a fairly memorable way to end his Junior career.
Jets audio:
TSN 1290 Winnipeg: Hustler & Lawless. Dennis Beyak joins the show to discuss the Dustin Byfuglien 4-game suspension, and what it means to the Winnipeg Jets as they push for a playoff spot.
TSN 1290 Winnipeg: Hustler & Lawless. Myers talks about his first trade, from Buffalo, being embraced by the Jets, and playing playing for a playoff spot in spring.
Illegal Curve: Coach Maurice scrum. Where was Byfuglien today? His thoughts on the cross-check. Moving past last two games. Does it help that this group has been without Buff previously? What does Jay Harrison bring to the group? Has Byfuglien been playing over the edge? Emotion of this time of the season causing some issues? Pavelec is just sick? His assessment of the last three games. How difficult is it to harness the emotion for the final push? Does he like the couple of days in-between? Characterizing what he has said has happened over past four days? When does he expect the Byfuglien decision?
