Note: The Jets had a solid win streak against Central Division teams but in less than a week it has flipped to a losing streak following last night’s 4-2 loss to the Wild. Jets won’t face the Hawks until Friday so the team has a few days to practice in advance of this game. Combine that loss with the news that Tyler Myers had surgery and will require six to eight weeks of recovery and it was overall a bad Tuesday for this team. The Jets kick off today when they hit the ice for a skate at 12 pm at MTS Centre before dispersing to take part in the Reading Takes Flight initiative. Update: Quite a bit following today’s skate including chats with Mark Scheifele, Patrik Laine and Coach Maurice. To listen click here.
Note II: The Moose are in Michigan to kick off this six game road trip. The 1st place in the Central Division Grand Rapids Griffins are the first team on the dance card for Manitoba. Morning skate gets underway this morning in Grand Rapids at 10:15 am and puck drop comes at 6 pm from Van Andel Arena.
Note III: Following the Moose game on TSN 1290 Winnipeg be sure to tune in for two hours of Winnipeg Jets and NHL hockey talk on NHL This Week with Illegal Curve. Show starts at 9 pm.
Jets news:
TSN: Are Jets taking right steps to develop young players? (Video). Have the Jets taken the right steps in getting their young players the proper experience? Has the Jets goaltending held them back this season? Sara Orlesky and Gary Lawless discuss this and more in 3-in-3.
Winnipeg Free Press: Laine off his game, got time to think about it. Not surprised with the answers the young rookie gave during his scrum today.
Winnipeg Sun: Sarcastic Maurice “apologizes” for demoting Laine. The Jets bench boss outlined what he sees as his plan for the youth of his team.
Winnipeg Sun: Jets come close, but not close enough against Wild. You don’t spot a team like Minnesota a three goal lead and think there is a good chance you’re getting back into the game. Plenty more in Ken’s recap from the MTS Centre.
Winnipeg Free Press: The great divide – commitment to defence. (Paywall). Paul writes about the biggest difference between a top team in the Western Conference and one (the Jets in case you needed reminding) at the other end of the spectrum.
Winnipeg Free Press: Jets drop second straight – lose to Wild 4-2. (Paywall). While the three game win streak garnered much fan fare perhaps this will not receive quite the same level of celebration although this was a much better game than what we saw on Saturday in Colorado. Jeff breaks it down.
Photo Credit: Rodney Braun
Winnipeg Free Press: Maurice can’t help but keep eye on coaching carousel. (Paywall). The pitchforks are definitely being sharpened by the fan base who expect results and as we’ve discussed are loathe to have to wait for the process to play itself out.
Minneapolis Star-Tribune: Wild wins thanks to 9-point night from Niederreiter-Coyle-Pominville. Read about the game from a beat writer that covers the Jets opposition.
Photo Credit: Rodney Braun
TSN: Maurice sat Laine far too long. (Video). Gary Lawless breaks down the Jets’ disappointing loss to the Wild, and explains why he thinks Paul Maurice sat Patrik Laine far too long in the second period and a large part of the third.
Sportsnet: Jets doomed by one bad goal yet again in loss to Wild. Unfortunately this team is past the point where moral victories mean much.
Sportsnet: Wild get penalty shot after Byfuglien shoots stick to break up play. (Paywall). Following the game big #33 acknowledged that he was unaware that this action would result in that type of result. Lesson learned.
Game 56 – Wild 4 Jets 2:
Illegal Curve: Post-game Report. Plenty to hear from both coaches and dressing rooms including Wheeler, Byfuglien, Ehlers, Hellebuyck from the Jets room as well as Niederreiter and Dubnyk from the Wild room.
Jets audio:
TSN 1040 Vancouver: Darren Dreger on whether the Jets will be buyers/sellers at trade deadline. The Jets talk begins at the 9:40 mark of this interview. If you cannot listen then you can read Chris Nichols transcription.
Moose news:
AHL.com: Roslovic’s development takes centre stage. If you want to see proper prospect development seeing Jack Roslovic spending his time learning to play a complete 200 ft game in the minors is one way to achieve this. He continues to add to his game each and every week.
Prospect news:
Illegal Curve: Jordy Stallard has shoulder surgery; expected to miss remainder of season. First came the news late last month about Logan Stanley and now another Jets prospect had to go under the knife.
