Note: The Jets final home for two weeks is this afternoon as the Sharks pop in for a 2 pm puck drop. We know that Connor Hellebuyck gets the start and that Tobias Enstrom is back in the lineup after missing 23 games. The pre-game report will be up at 10:30 am. As soon as illegalcurve.com is updated we notify you via Twitter | Facebook | Instagram.
Note II: The Moose are off today following a pair of back-to-back games in Chicago and Des Moines against the Wolves and Wild including a 4-3 win over Iowa last night. They play tomorrow night against the Griffins as they kick off six straight at home.
Jets news:
Winnipeg Sun: Five keys to Jets vs. Sharks. Paul’s big matchup is Jets defence vs. Logan Couture. His five keys include: 1) Expect more. 2) Sticks down and in. 3) Speaking of special teams. 4) A hungry Buff. 5) Final test for Toby.
Winnipeg Sun: Paul’s Notebook. Includes Byfuglien minutes talk, Enstrom’s return and Enstrom’s reaction to the Swedish loss in World Junior finals.
Winnipeg Free Press: Toby Enstrom ready for comeback after November injury. (Paywall). The Jets D is finally back to full health with the return of the veteran defender.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence
Winnipeg Free Press: Byfuglien bitter about brief ice time against Buffalo. (Paywall). Like any player the Jets big man wants to play more minutes. Not really that shocking.
San Jose Mercury News: Why the Sharks are one of Canada’s favorite teams. Interesting read on the Jets opponent.
The Athletic Winnipeg: Tucker Poolman’s journey from the NAHL to the Jets is a surprise to everyone, even his mom. (Paywall). It isn’t quite the journey from Milan to Minsk but Murat looks at the evolution of the East Grand Forks native from his beginnings to the bright lights of the NHL.
Jets audio:
Illegal Curve: ESPN analyst Chris Peters talks Jets prospects Vesalainen & Samberg. On yesterday’s Illegal Curve Hockey Show on TSN 1290 Winnipeg we spoke with Chris Peters who is an NHL Draft and prospects analyst for ESPN. He was in Buffalo for the World Junior tournament and while the interview spanned the entire tournament I asked him about two (Kristian Vesalainen & Dylan Samberg) of the three Jets prospects who played in the tournament.
Moose news:
Illegal Curve: Jimmy Lodge back with the Manitoba Moose. Turns out JC Lipon is gonna be out with injury so the Moose got the Jets 2013 3rd round pick back in the fold after Lodge had spent the entire 2017-18 season with the Icemen of the ECHL. An update to this post was Lodge had an assist in the Moose 4-3 win over the Wild.
Illegal Curve Hockey Show Replay:
Part 1:
Topics: Jets/Sabres Recap, Canada wins Gold at the 2018 World Junior Hockey Championship in Buffalo, Jets at the Halfway Point:Report Cards for Forwards, Goaltending & Special Teams
Guests: Chris Peters (ESPN Draft and Prospects Analyst), Mike McIntyre (Winnipeg Free Press)
To listen to part 1 click here.
Part 2:
Topics: Jets at the Halfway Point- Report Cards for Defencemen, Jets/Sharks Preview, Manitoba Moose to send three players and Coach Pascal Vincent to the 2018 AHL All- Star Game
Guests: Marty Biron (Former NHL goaltender, Current Analyst for TSN, MSG, RDS), Zachary DeVine (The Athletic Bay Area, Dobber Prospects), Sam Werner (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
To listen to part 2 click here.
