Note: Hard to believe that the 82nd Jets game of the season is finally here but it is and today Winnipeg will play their final game of the regular season when they welcome their division rival Chicago to town although most of the focus has already sprung ahead to the 1st round series with the Wild. It was an eventual practice day on Friday with Jacob Trouba leaving skate early after a previous injury was tweaked. Morning skate gets underway at 10:30 am and Jets pre-game report will bring you up to speed. Stay tuned throughout the day for any and all Jets news and updates via Twitter |Facebook | Instagram.
Note II: The Moose picked up a big 4-1 win over the Condors last night which means their magic number to clinch a playoff spot is down to one. Today the team is scheduled to practice at 12 noon at the IcePlex in advance of tomorrow’s home season finale which is a 2 pm start.
Note III: Kick start your day with three hours of Winnipeg Jets and NHL hockey talk on the Illegal Curve Hockey Show on TSN 1290 Winnipeg starting at 9 am. Listen here.
Jets news:
Winnipeg Sun: One last game before the real fun begins. There is still a game tonight and Ted brings your attention to five keys of the game including: 1) Staying healthy. 2) Record chaser. 3) 30 for 27. 4) Final Standing. 5) Playoff lineup. Ted’s big matchup is Blake Wheeler vs. Patrick Kane.
Winnipeg Sun: The Jets’ forgotten man. While it has been a forgettable season for Mason the good news for him and the team is he is likely as fresh as he has been in awhile and if called upon will be able to draw upon that.
Winnipeg Sun: Mason says Hellebuyck making it look easy. The Jets veteran netminder gives his thoughts on how the Jets starter has been able to produce the season he has to date.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence
Winnipeg Sun: Jets not concerned about Wild’s significant edge in playoff experience. With the regular season about to be in the rear view mirror these young Jets are about to have to take their game to the next level.
Winnipeg Sun: Hellebuyck goes for NHL record. What’s better than tying a record that was set the year that you were born? Breaking it of course and that is what the Jets top goalie will try to do tonight.
Winnipeg Free Press: Jets preparing for Wild playoff test. (Paywall). Suspect it will be a Jets team that wants a good effort but really just wants tonight’s game to be over so they can start drawing up their plans for Minnesota. Mike has more.
Winnipeg Free Press: Jets fans need to temper playoff expectations. (Paywall). I’m not so sure. Take a look around the NHL and there are a handful of upper echelon teams with the Jets being one of those squads. Of course they have to focus on the first round but there is no reason this team cannot make a deep run.
Winnipeg Free Press: Jets playoff party will close off Donald Street during home games. (Paywall). When Randy gets off twitter and starts writing it is a lot of fun to read what he has to say in more than 280 characters.
Winnipeg Free Press: A chance to leave the past behind. (Paywall). Really great read from Mike on how folks are hoping to avoid some of the heartache they’ve experienced from previous incarnations of the Jets.
St. Paul Pioneer Press: Starting next week, Wild have a new biggest rival: The Jets. It is going to be a heck of a series and the State of Hockey will have plenty of coverage.
The Athletic Minnesota: Wild’s challenges vs. Jets – Stop potent attack, don’t fall into another 0-2 hole. Russo covers the Wild as closely as anyone so give this one a read for a report on the Jets opposition.
The Athletic Winnipeg: Supported at every turn by his father Heinz, Nikolaj Ehlers has achieved many of his hockey dreams. (Paywall). Murat with a look at the most electrifying player on this Jets team, the one who when he takes hold of the puck fans edge out of their seats to watch what he is gonna do with it, and the impact his father had on the Dynamic Dane.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence
Illegal Curve: Economic Development Winnipeg to host Winnipeg Whiteout Street Party. We are all good with the Whiteout spreading outside of Bell MTS Place as long as it is not in the form of snow.
Jets video:
TSN: Staying healthy an ongoing concern with the Jets. The Jets already know they’ll be facing the Wild in the first round of the playoffs, so their regular season finale on Saturday against the Blackhawks means nothing. But as Sara Orlesky explains, staying healthy is an ongoing concern.
Jets audio:
TSN 1290 Winnipeg: There are no easy first round series. TSN Winnipeg Jets play-by-play voice Dennis Beyak joins Andrew Paterson and Rick Ralph on the Afternoon Ride. They discuss the Jets first round series vs. Minnesota, how deep the Jets can go in the playoffs, Paul Stastny’s playoff experience and how they approach the final game of the season.
TSN 1150 Hamilton: How deep Jets go is on Hellebuyck. Jamie Thomas from Winnipeg Jets TV joins Tatti and Louie B to discuss Winnipeg’s excellent season, their first round playoff matchup against the Minnesota Wild and their prospects of going all the way.
TSN 1290 Winnipeg: Jets should be able to steamroll the Wild. Matt Larkin from The Hockey News joined host Kevin Olszewski to reflect on his pre-season predictions and what teams proved him wrong. He also weighs in on the Jets opening round series with Minnesota.
TSN 1290 Winnipeg: Excited to face rival Wild. Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey joined the Big Show to update how he felt after taking a hard hit into the boards against Calgary, defending the stretch pass, as well as what the club is looking forward to in their first round series against Minnesota.
TSN 1290 Winnipeg: Wild have been sneaky good. TSN’s Bob McKenzie joined the Big Show to talk about the Sedins’ magical night, Winnipeg’s regular season and previews the first round matchup between the Jets and Wild.
Moose news:
Illegal Curve: Moose ground Condors in 4-1 win. Peter takes a look at the lineup, a game recap, games notes/other news, post-game interviews and health updates.
Prospect news:
Prince Albert Daily Herald: Graduating Raiders take the next step. For those curious about Jets 2016 5th rounder Jordy Stallard he says he hasn’t heard much from the organization.
