Note: While the Jets were off on Thursday they still made some news as they assigned 2017 1st rounder Kristian Vesalainen to Jokerit of the KHL. But today there is a little hockey to make your Black Friday shopping go smoothly. The Jets are in Minnesota to take on a Wild team that has gone 7-2-2 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul while the Jets look to erase the memory of Wednesday’s 6-3 loss to the Flames. Since it is a holiday in the United States puck drop is at the rather unusual time of 3 pm. No morning skate so we will have to wait for pre-game warm up to see if there will be any lineup changes.
Note II: It is a double game day but with a twist as the Moose will also face the Wild (from Iowa) as the NHL clubs and AHL clubs will both face off. Tonight’s game (7 pm puck drop) is the first of two at home for the Moose which was sandwiched between the four-game road trip they were just on and a six-game road trip to California next week.
Jets news:
Winnipeg Sun: 5 Keys to the game. Ken’s big matchup is Connor Hellebuyck and Devan Dubnyk. His 5 keys include: 1) Clean up 1st period. 2) Laine feeling it. 3) Byfuglien a force. 4) 0 from the D. 5) Healthy and producing.
Winnipeg Sun: Jets managing expectations with steady play and room to grow. Ken with his assessment of the season to date.
Winnipeg Free Press: Vesalainen activates out clause in contract, jets off to Jokerit of KHL. (Paywall). It was negotiated in there for a reason so the player is well within his rights to exercise the clause.
Winnipeg Free Press: First-period Dumpster fire in Calgary belies Jets’ solid first quarter. (Paywall). Mike also takes a look at how things have gone for the Jets 1/4 of the way into the season. You can let us know what you think by voting.
Pioneer Press: Wild shuffle lines with brawny Jets coming to town. Learn about the Jets opponent.
Sportsnet: Biggest tests still to come for the Winnipeg Jets. Plenty of season still for Winnipeg as they continue to refine and define their game.
Illegal Curve: Might the Winnipeg Jets take part in an outdoor game in Saskatchewan? Would you make the trip to Regina for a weekend of outdoor hockey? Which opponent would you like the Jets to face if they were selected as a team to take part in an outdoor game in Saskatchewan? We are getting plenty of comments on our @illegalcurve Instagram account if you’d like to join the discussion.
Jets video:
TSN: Western Canadian teams at quarter mark of season. Despite some goaltending issues, the Flames sit atop the Pacific with the Canucks still in the mix. Are the Jets still Cup favorites? TH has more as he looks at the Western Conference Canadian teams at the quarter mark of the season.
Jets audio:
Tim Campbell of NHL.com joined Andrew Paterson and Rick Ralph on the Afternoon Ride. They discussed the Jets loss to the Flames, Tyler Myers play this season, the Avalanche placing Marko Dano on waivers and the coaching changes in Edmonton and St. Louis.
TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button joined Andrew Paterson and Rick Ralph on the Afternoon Ride. They discussed the Winnipeg Jets loss to Calgary, the increased scoring in the NHL this season, the Winnipeg Jets after twenty games, the Blues decline over the last year, the coaching changes around the NHL, Minnesota’s strong play and what he’s seen from the Vegas Golden Knights.
Moose audio:
Manitoba Moose assistant coach Eric Dubois joined Andrew Paterson and Rick Ralph on the Afternoon Ride. They discussed the Moose’ recent road trip, the upcoming home games vs. the Iowa Wild and Kristian Vesalainen’s play while he was with the Moose.
