Note: The Jets will likely be cancelling practice today so they will be off until next Monday when they return following the All-Star break. Well not all the Jets as Dustin Byfuglien will be in Nashville representing Winnipeg once again.
Note II: The woes continue for the Manitoba Moose who fell once again on the road, last night 6-3 to the Bakersfield Condors. The re-match goes Friday night in Bakersfield. Until then the Moose will continue to practice in California.
Note III: Today is #BellLetsTalk which is an initiative to raise funds and awareness for a very worthwhile cause. I wrote this last year and I believe it still applies.
Note IV: Tune into NHL This Week with Illegal Curve tonight on TSN 1290 Winnipeg starting at 6 pm. Two hours of Jets and NHL hockey talk. Guests: Craig Heisinger (Jets Assistant GM/Moose GM) and Dave Feschuk (Toronto Star). To listen click here.
Jets news:
Winnipeg Sun: Jets’ playoff hopes pinned on Hellebuyck. Can this Jets team go on a run? If so Ken writes then a fair amount of the responsibility will fall on the shoulders of their rookie goalie. Of course we haven’t even gone down the path of what happens when Ondrej Pavelec is healthy….
Winnipeg Sun: Ken’s Notebook. Includes play of Byfuglien, chemistry between Scheifele/Ehlers/Wheeler, Barkov contract as comparable for Scheifele, Lowry’s mystery injury and around the glass.
TSN: Statistically Speaking – Ehlers heating up. Pretty easy recipe. Add one dynamic winger to a line with another dynamic winger and a slick centre and voila.
Winnipeg Free Press: Electric Ehlers’ first hat trick sparks playoff hopes heading into all-star break. (Paywall). After scoring two quick goals it just felt like it was going to be a special night for the Jets rookie who likely could have had four or five goals last night. In case you were wondering what ends up happening to the hat trick hats, while there isn’t an official plan, it sounds like the Jets have decided what they will do with them.
Winnipeg Free Press: Jets end January stupor with a much needed decisive win against Coyotes. (Paywall). Recap includes 1) The Danish dynamo delivers. 2) Putting the special in special teams. 3) A little less cranky.
Winnipeg Sun: Nikolaj Ehlers scores hat trick as Jets end losing skid with convincing win over Coyotes. Plenty to read in Ken’s recap of last night’s contest.
Winnipeg Sun: Byfuglien’s goal from outside blue-line was no fluke … He saw his chance and took it. If you think scoring a shorthanded breakaway goal on a 5 on 3 isn’t impressive enough his heads up goal will likely be on some highlight (or lowlights) of the night.
CBC: Ehlers hot, January cold, and other notes before the all-star break. Includes 1) Play of the Ehlers, Scheifele and Wheeler line. 2) Play of Byfuglien. 3) January wasn’t kind despite friendly schedule. 4) Weary road team. and 5) The goalie situation.
Photo Credit: Rodney Braun
Arizona Republic: Coyotes overwhelmed by Jets before All-Star break. Read a recap of last night’s action from an opposition beat writer.
Sportsnet: The novelty of the NHL back in Winnipeg isn’t enough anymore. (Video). Tim and Stephen break down Canadian NHL franchises struggles this season and discuss how the novelty of having hockey back in Winnipeg isn’t enough anymore, the team must now perform.
ESPN: Would Andrew Ladd fit with Panthers? Pierre LeBrun wonders if the captain may be a good fit in Del Boca Vista.
USA Today: 15 takeaways at NHL’s All-Star break. Continuing with the theme of Ladd/Byfuglien and trades (for the next five weeks), Kevin Allen has them as players receiving most trade buzz in point 2 of 15.
Sportsnet: 30 Thoughts. #14 deals with Byfuglien and Ladd situation.
Jets 5 Coyotes 2:
Arizona Coyotes: Coach Tippett and Shane Doan. To listen click here.
Winnipeg Jets: Nikolaj Ehlers, Dustin Byfuglien and Blake Wheeler. To listen click here.
Coach Maurice post-game presser: Coach Maurice met with the media following the game against Arizona. To watch click here.
Podcast: Host and Analyst Richard Pollock breaks down the Jets play against the Coyotes last night. Click here.
Jets on a Deadline: Game recaps, post-game audio, video highlights and the NHL.com 3 Stars of the night. Click here.
Moose news:
The Bakersfield Californian: Condors fire away in 6-3 win over Moose. It wasn’t a great night for the Jets AHL affiliate. Eric Comrie was pulled after two periods.
