Winnipeg Jets Morning Papers

Note:  The Jets are coming off back-to-back wins this weekend and have gone 3-0-1 in their last four games.  While the other teams around them have games in hand they are withing striking distance of the wild card spot.  The team was scheduled to practice today in Toronto but it sounds like coach Maurice has cancelled to keep his troops fresh for Tuesday night when they face the Leafs before they start their bye week.  As an aside it is somewhat perfect that rookies Patrik Laine and Auston Matthews both have 28 goals heading into the game tomorrow.

Note II:  The Moose are back in Winnipeg following a six game road trip that saw them go a disappointing 1-4-1.  They play their next four games at the MTS Centre starting with a pair of games on Tuesday/Wednesday against the IceHogs.  The team will practice at the IcePlex today at 11 AM.  They will also be hitting the Assiniboine Park Zoo on this fine Louis Riel Day at 2 pm so fans can meet the players.  This is what it looked like last year.

Note III:  The late breaking news yesterday evening was that Jacob Trouba is to have a hearing with Department of Player Safety for his hit on Mark Stone sometime this afternoon.  Update:  The Jets defenceman received a two game suspension for the hit.

Jets news:

Sportsnet:  Maurice on the ins and outs of coaching Laine and Ehlers.  (Video).  Paul Maurice joins Hockey Central to discuss Jacob Trouba’s hit on Mark Stone and coaching Patrik Laine and Nikolaj Ehlers.

Toronto Star:  Leafs’ Matthews, Jets’ Laine bring a little one-two punch to stretch drive.  I’m trying to decide if I wish these teams played more often so as to water down this constant chatter or if I’m satisfied with the twice a year situation so it is more limited.  Jury is still out.  

TSN:   Can we have a rational discussion about hits to the head?  Bob McKenzie weighs in and it doesn’t sound good for the Jets defenceman when you read his take.  

Winnipeg Sun:  NHL spokesman explains why league views Trouba and Malkin hits different.  Ted did some work on finding out why the NHL sees these as two different types of hits.

Metro News:  Jets showing signs of life in playoff hunt.  Should be a fun race to the finish at least.

Metro News:  Matthews or Laine? Sorting through the loaded Calder trophy race.  Is anyone ready for this debate to be over?  Something tells me it won’t be for awhile but here is another article that will add to the conversation.

The Hockey News:  Patrik Laine unmasked – how he started out stopping them not shooting them.  Just imagine if he would have been playing forward his entire life.

Winnipeg Sun:  Jets finding physical identity as hot streak continues.  Who are these big, fast and tough to play against Winnipeg Jets?  Even 5’10” Mathieu Perreault was throwing his weight around the Canadian Tire Centre yesterday like he was 6′ 5″Adam Lowry, as the Jets seem to have found a winning formula on this road trip.

Winnipeg Sun:  Canadian NHL teams surging as playoff races heat up.  And therein lies the reason the NHL is happy that playoff races aren’t over in December for some teams.   

Winnipeg Free Press:  Jets Sen-sational in Ottawa.  (Paywall).  Hard to believe that this is the same team that lost to Colorado and Tampa Bay last week.  Jeff breaks down the game and what the Jets are doing well these days.

Ottawa Citizen:  Sens lose game, multiple players in physical affair against Jets.  While losing out on any points at this point in the season hurts, the numerous players they’ve lost to injury could likely hurt a lot more.

Ottawa Sun:  Sens left feeling cheated by denied Pageau goal.  Get a perspective on the game from a beat writer that covers the Jets opposition.

TSN:  Scheifele on tense conclusion to Jets win over Sens.  (Video).  Mark Scheifele commented on the goal review that came back as a no-goal for the Senators and talked about how the Jets have been approaching their recent road games.

Sportsnet:  Boucher furious after Trouba receives 2 minutes for hit on Stone.  (Video).  Hard to blame the Senators coach for his anger after he sees his top player take that type of hit and get knocked out of the game. 

Game 62 – Jets 3 Senators 2:

Illegal Curve:  Post-game recap.  Couple of quick game notes, some stats and post-game audio from Blake Wheeler, Connor Hellebuyck, Mark Scheifele and coach Maurice.