Note: It was an optional practice yesterday for the Jets in Tampa as they prepared for tonight’s game against the Lightning. While we know that Connor Hellebuyck will be back between the pipes coach Maurice indicated that while he expects the same lineup there are some injury concerns which he addressed as “pretty standard”. Jets take to the ice at 10:30 AM CST. The Winnipeg Jets pre-game report will get you ready for the action.
Note II: The Moose look to get their 10th win in a row when they welcome the Milwaukee Admirals to town for a pair of games starting this afternoon at 2 pm at Bell MTS Place. Today is also the Teddy Bear toss which is a lot of fun and is for a good cause. According to the team “during the first intermission, fans can toss their toys onto the ice where they will be collected and donated to the Christmas Cheer Board”.
Note III: At 9 am we will have three hours of Winnipeg Jets, Manitoba Moose and NHL hockey talk on the Illegal Curve Hockey Show on TSN 1290 Winnipeg.
Jets news:
Winnipeg Sun: Five keys for Jets vs Lightning. Ken’s big matchup is Blake Wheeler vs Steven Stamkos. And his five keys include: 1) Where are the road warriors? 2) Starting fast. 3) Bring the power. 4) Don’t forget about Kucherov. 5) Andrei the Giant.
Winnipeg Sun: Clash with Lightning should bring answers for Jets. It was originally billed as clash of the titans with the Jets leading the West and the Lightning leading the East. Ken sets up the contest.
Winnipeg Free Press: Jets’ giant D-man feels like it’s his rookie-of-the-year season again. (Paywall). Having a healthy Tyler Myers has certainly been a difference maker for Winnipeg this season.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence
Winnipeg Free Press: Jets mull Poolman problem. (Paywall). His last game for the Jets was Oct 17th and for the Moose was Nov 17th. While there are clearly some benefits to practicing at an NHL pace the value of playing games, in all situations, cannot be overstated.
Sportsnet: How the Winnipeg Jets became one of the NHL’s best. Lots of notice for what the Jets are doing.
Illegal Curve: Winnipeg Jets Practice Report. The Jets held an optional yesterday. Get some of the details from the Jets time at Ice Sports Forum in Tampa including audio from Bryan Little, Matt Hendricks and coach Maurice.
Jets audio:
TSN 1290 Winnipeg: Hendricks is hugely popular in the dressing room. Former Winnipeg Jet and current Winnipeg Free Press columnist Scott Campbell joins the Afternoon Ride and discusses the importance of leadership in the dressing room.
TSN 1290 Winnipeg: Jets had a few ‘flat tires’ in Detroit and Florida. Ray Ferraro discusses the Jets losses to Detroit and Florida, what he’s seen this year from the Tampa Bay Lightning and Seattle as a hockey market.
Jets prospect news:
Sportsnet: Kristian Vesalainen could have a big WJC. The Jets top pick in 2017 gets top billing in this report on some of the Jets prospects in the system.
