Note: The Jets are set to play their final road game of this five gamer that has seen them drop each of the four previous contests. Can they salvage two points and try to limp home for the re-match with Nashville on Sunday? Keep it locked to illegalcurve.com for pre and post game and on social media including via Twitter | Facebook | Instagram.
Note II: The Moose have gone 1-4-1 in their last six games. They had the day off yesterday and will hit the ice for a practice today before leaving for Wisconsin as they get ready to face the Milwaukee Admirals on Saturday night. Then they head to Illinois to take on the Wolves (27th) and IceHogs (30th).
Note III: The big news on Thursday was about Tobias Enstrom having to return to Sweden to deal with a family situation. There is no timetable on his return according to coach Maurice.
Jets news:
CBC: Quirky Jets Christmas cards raise funds for local charity. Any opportunity to raise funds for local charity is usually worthwhile as the team has some fun with this one.
Winnipeg Sun: Maurice actually thinks rookie is getting better. I suspect the angst meter on Patrik Laine is still relatively low at this point.
Winnipeg Sun: Enstrom out as D-man returns to Sweden for family matter. It was the news that caught everyone by surprise as he plays a key role for this Jets team on a nightly basis. Hopefully all goes well for him and his family in Sweden.
National Post: NHL teams regroup as season hits ‘measuring stick’ holiday. The Jets were behind the line for yesterday’s big day. Now we just have to wait five months to see if it was accurate or not.
Winnipeg Free Press: Laine not sweating goal drought. (Paywall). The kid is confident in his abilities and with good reason so probably no reason to get all worked up just yet.
Winnipeg Free Press: Enstrom out, lineup in flux again. (Paywall). It will be interesting to see the pairing of Trouba and Morrissey.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence
Winnipeg Free Press: Jets fail to show improvement during road trip. (Paywall). It hasn’t been the most impressive showing but this team may continue this streaky trend all season long so perhaps fans who have heart palpitations best be careful around this team.
NBC Sports: Sorry about the jinx, Winnipeg Jets. See what happens when you say nice things about the city.
Illegal Curve: Winnipeg Jets Practice Report. A look at the lines and D pairs coach Maurice used at the skate yesterday in Nashville. Also has audio from Jacob Trouba and Paul Maurice.
Illegal Curve: The value of spending time with an NHL team for a prospect. Thought coach Maurice’s comments were interesting on the value he places in prospects spending time with the club, even if they don’t play any games.
Jets audio:
TSN 1290 Winnipeg: Donvito Roundtable. TSN Jets Analyst Shane Hnidy joined RickRalph and discussed the Jets loss to Minnesota and the need to get more shots on net.
TSN 1290 Winnipeg: The Big Show. TSN’s Jamie McLennan joined the Big Show for some NHL talk including Pekka Rinne’s resurgence, a look at the progression of Connor Hellebuyck and why the Winnipeg Jets are still on the right track to become a power in the West in the next few years.
Moose audio:
TSN 1290 Winnipeg: Donvito Roundtable. Moose Head Coach Pascal Vincent joins Rick Ralph and discusses the back-to-back games vs. Minnesota, Eric Comrie’s season, the play of Jack Roslovic and Craig Cunningham’s collapse before Saturday’s game in Tuscon.
