Winnipeg Jets Morning Papers

Note:  The Jets picked up another clean two points as they once again showed their resiliency after a loss improving to 7-0-1 following a defeat courtesy of last night’s impressive 4-3 win over the Leafs.  Impressive 2nd and 3rd period performance by Connor Hellebuyck who owns a large part of that victory.  The Jets are set to hit the ice for a practice today at 11 AM CST so check back for the Practice Report.  There was also an update on Nathan Beaulieu who will be out weeks according to head coach Paul Maurice..

Note II:  The Moose practiced on Tuesday as they get ready for a re-match with the Heat tonight. I am expecting a health update this morning on injured players so stay tuned for that news.  Puck drop is at 6 PM CST.

Note III: They say you only get one chance to make a first impression. I guess an OT winner by Jets 2017 4th rounder Santeri Virtanen is a good way to do that with his new team. He did some nice work behind the net to steal the puck although he clearly didn’t realize he had scored the GWG.  Video here.

Jets news:

Winnipeg Sun: Jets ride Hellebuyck to win over North’s top dog. Another two points in the standings bank courtesy of the play of number 37.

Toronto Sun: Jets stretch Maple Leafs slump to three games.  Read about last night’s contest from the perspective of a writer that covers the Jets opponent.

National Post: Hellebuyck summons his best Grant Fuhr in beating Maple Leafs. Folks of a certain age might have nightmares thinking of what Fuhr did to those Smythe division Jets but perhaps they’ll enjoy it now when the comparison plays for a team with Winnipeg in their name.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Being slow on the draw puts Jets on defensive too often. (Paywall). It’s all about puck possession these days and if you lose the draw good chance you aren’t starting with possession which puts you on the wrong side of the ice more often than not.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Hellebuyck backstops Jets to 4-3 win over Leafs. (Paywall).  I like how Mike has turned the Jets netminder’s last name into a description of stealing a game.

Toronto Star: Maple Leafs’ grip atop the North Division is starting to slip after third straight loss.  This is why it is critical to bank points in order to be able to properly ride out when your team inevitably hits a little blip in the road.

Sportsnet:  31 Thoughts.  Number 8 mentions the Jets.  Friedman writes about how this week will be big for the team’s identity and then goes on to talk about what kind of move the team could be thinking of making.  He mentions Travis Hamonic from the Canucks but seems odd the Jets would pay for the Manitoban when he was a UFA before the start of the season and could have been had for the price of a contract.

TSN:  Dubois changes the dynamic of Leafs-Jets rivalry.  Move over Matthews/Laine hello Toronto vs PLD.

The Athletic: Winnipeg Jets trade tiers: From Cole Perfetti and Ville Heinola to Nathan Smith and Johnny Kovacevic. (Paywall). An interesting look at the prospects in the Jets system and where they rank for Murat and Wheeler.

Jets video:

Sportsnet:  Nikolaj Ehlers and Kyle Connor are two elite Winnipeg Jets that don’t get enough attention. Host of Hockey Central Jeff Marek joins Lead Off to discuss Nik Ehlers and Kyle Connor as two players that always stand out, that nobody ever seems to talk about, and why he would take the Winnipeg Jets as the best top 6 in the NHL.

Sportsnet: Jets sent message to North Division’s top team with win. Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston and Shawn McKenzie break down the Winnipeg Jets win over the Toronto Maple Leafs and how the Jets made a statement by defeating the North Division’s top team.

TSN:  Hellebuyck propels Jets to victory as Leafs drop three straight for first time under Keefe. Connor Hellebuyck was stellar in goal with 36 saves as the Jets downed the Maple Leafs to close the gap on first place in the North Division. The TSN Hockey panel examines Hellebuyck’s Vezina-like performance and assesses what went wrong for Toronto, who have now dropped three straight games for the first time under Sheldon Keefe.

TSN: Who has the better top 6 forwards – Jets or Leafs? The TSN Hockey panel answer this question and more in The Quiz.