Note: The Jets begin a four-game road trip out east with a contest in Columbus as they take on a new look Blue Jackets team that wasn’t quite as active as Winnipeg in terms of additions at the deadline last Monday but the team that made the most waves around the NHL with trades a few days prior to the deadline. Columbus retained UFAs Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky as well as added Matt Duchene and Ryan Dzingel from Ottawa to help push this team over the edge. Of course they got pumped 4-0 by the Oilers yesterday so they may be a bit snarly when Winnipeg rolls into town. Morning skate gets underway at 10:30 AM CT and our pre-game report will have all the latest news and audio.
Note II: While the Jets were off the ice on Saturday there was still some team news as the league announced that Adam Lowry had been suspended two games for his high-stick on Filip Forsberg this past Friday.
Note III: The Moose return from their six-game road trip today having gone 2-4-0-0-0 and sit four points outside a playoff spot after they lost last night 4-0 to the Senators in Belleville. They will have to hope that like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz once said ‘There’s no place like home’ because they will play six straight contests here in Winnipeg at Bell MTS Place. And that comment has been true for Manitoba who have been almost unbeatable here in the ‘Peg going 12-1-0-1 in their last 14 home games and have already tied the record for most home wins (18) with 10 games remaining.
Jets news:
Winnipeg Sun: Five keys to Jets vs Blue Jackets. Ken’s big matchup is Kevin Hayes vs Matt Duchene. His five keys include: 1) Another step. 2) Doubling down. 3) Balancing act. 4) Contain the bread man. 5) Door opens.
Photo Credit: Alex James
Winnipeg Sun: Time for Hellebuyck to shine. Ken writes how the Jets goalie is the most important player for final quarter of the season.
Winnipeg Free Press: How the Winnipeg Jets have quietly built relationships with Indigenous communities. (Paywall). It was great to see the outreach during last week’s WASAC night at both the Jets and Moose games. And in many other ways both big and small.
Illegal Curve Hockey Show Replay:
Topics: Jets/Predators Recap, Josh Morrissey’s injury and how it will impact the defence corps, Bryan Little moves to the wing/New Jets forward lines, Jets/Blue Jackets Preview.
Guests: Murat Ates (The Athletic Winnipeg), Jody Shelley (Columbus Blue Jackets Analyst).
To listen to part 1 click here.
Topics: Could the St. Louis Blues challenge the Jets and the Predators for first in the Central Division, Senators fire Head Coach Guy Boucher and name Marc Crawford Interim Head Coach, The return of John Tavares to Long Island, Adam Lowry to have a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety for high sticking Filip Forsberg.
Guests: Riley Cote (Former NHLer, Hemp Heals, Athletes 4 Care), Stephen Whyno (Associated Press), Cam Robinson (Dobber Hockey, Dobber Prospects).
To listen to part 2 click here.
