Note: The day Jets 1.0 fans have been waiting for since April 28, 1996 which was the last playoff game (and Jets 1.0 game for that matter) for folks in this town. For those connected to the Thrashers it is the first game since April 18th, 2007 when they lost their first and only playoff series being swept in four games at the hands of the New York Rangers. Well that is history and tonight the Jets 2.0 add their own chapter to the playoff story. Be sure to follow @illegalcurve as we bring you all the latest Jets news from Anaheim.
Jets news:
Sportsnet: Jets 2.0 ready to right an old wrong vs. Ducks. Amazing how everyone is looking ahead to Game 3. Plenty to read in this walk down memory lane.
CBC: 5 Things to Watch. Mitch is covering the game in California and looks at these five topics including: 1) Possession Obsession. 2) Even Steven. 3) (Not So) Special Teams. 4) Duck Dynasty? and 5) Between The Ears.
Winnipeg Free Press: Don’t underestimate Winnipeg’s Mr. Big. Little aka Mr. Consistent is about to get his first taste of the post-season and he is going to have a tall task ahead of him but he has risen to the occasion whenever pressed into service.
Winnipeg Free Press: Perreault will be a game-time decision in Anaheim. If he is able to play it will be one of the few times we have seen all the regulars playing in a game. We should know more at the skate today.
Photo Credit: Colin Jensen
Winnipeg Free Press: Balloon flight, tattoos and a first-born son: Jets fans prove their devotion. Look up the definition of the word fanatic in the dictionary and you are likely to see some of these faces.
Winnipeg Free Press: Jets fan fever. From body ink to haircuts to balloons is there anything Jets fans won’t do to support their club? Here are some of the pictures of Jets fans supporting the team.
Winnipeg Sun: Long wait almost over for Jets’ Pavelec. Will he be able to keep his hot streak going into the playoffs? We are about to find out.
Winnipeg Sun: Big Byfuglien hit sure left mark on Ducks defenceman. There are players across the NHL who remember what it is like to have #33 bearing down on them.
Winnipeg Sun: Jets embracing the challenge. They know this won’t be an easy series by any stretch of the imagination and are welcoming the daunting task of shutting down a talented Ducks team.
Winnipeg Sun: Maurice and Boudreau ramp up the gamemanship on eve of Jets-Ducks series. Two veteran coaches who will use whatever advantage they can try and gain over the other before the puck has even been dropped.
Winnipeg Sun: Former Winnipeg Jets thrilled to see the whiteout returning. Not a surprise that the members of the Jets 1.0 are happy to see the embracing of the old tradition.
Globe and Mail: ‘Winnipeg whiteout’: Jets fans abuzz over first playoff spot in 19 years. Always enjoy reading a Roy MacGregor column.
Illegal Curve: Practice Report. Lines from practice, updates as well as audio from Dustin Byfuglien, Andrew Ladd, Tyler Myers and Drew Stafford.
Jets audio:
TSN 1290 Winnipeg: Hustler & Lawless. Hockey Insider Darren Dreger previews the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and discusses why teams may fear facing the Winnipeg Jets in the post-season.
Illegal Curve: Coach Maurice scrum from Anaheim. Lots to hear from the Jets bench boss as he met with the media in Anaheim on Wednesday.
TSN 1290 Winnipeg: Rona Roundtable. James Mirtle of the Globe & Mail feels the Jets have the size to match up with the Ducks.
TSN 1290 Winnipeg: The Big Show. TSN resident scout Craig Button gave his predictions for the Stanley Cup Playoffs including why he thinks Jets can upset the top seeded Ducks in the first round.
Ducks news:
Orange County Register: Ducks have been late night stars, but will it continue in the playoffs? Many are expecting a tight series and the individual games should probably be just as close which is something the Ducks are quite comfortable doing.
Orange County Register: Frederik Andersen unflappable entering playoffs. He certainly dominated earlier in the season and looks to bring that back and lead the Ducks past the Jets.
Orange County Register: Gibson, Thompson appear doubtful for Game 1. Couple of regulars won’t be in the lineup according to Ducks beat writer Eric Stephens.
Winnipeg Free Press: Getzlaf doesn’t worry about anyone’s ‘underdog’ status. He certainly wasn’t biting on the media attempt to get into a favourite vs. underdog type conversation on Wednesday.
