Note: The Jets held an optional practice in Montreal on Friday as they continue to use rest and recovery to ensure players are fresh during this condensed season. Today they have a re-match with the Habs as their five-game road trip continues. Check back for the pre-game report following skate at the Bell Centre for updates as well as for the media availability with players and coach Paul Maurice. Puck drop is at 6 PM CDT. Join us afterwards for our post-game show here (be sure to smash that like/subscribe button).
Note II: The Moose took Friday off after a wild game Thursday night earned them an 8-5 win over the Senators. The two teams will meet again this afternoon looking to take the edge in their four-game series. Puck drop is at 2 pm.
Note III: There was some signing news on Friday as the Jets inked 2019 2nd rounder Simon Lundmark to a three-year ELC.
Note IV: Be sure to join us on the Illegal Curve Hockey Show today as we will be chatting all about the Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba Moose this morning starting at 9:00 a.m. CDT. Today’s guests include Jason Bell (Winnipeg Free Press), Scott Burnside (The Athletic) and Marc Dumont (Montreal Canadiens special contributor). You’ll be able to watch via YouTube live here. If you cannot watch live you will still be able to get the show via Podcast.
Note V: Voting remains open so we want everyone in Manitoba (and beyond) to vote for the community of Saint Adolphe! They are one of the finalists to win Kraft Hockeyville. Vote here.
Jets news:
Winnipeg Sun: Jets’ Maurice still tinkering as he looks to settle his lines ahead of playoffs. He’s been signaling this for quite some time and given how things went in the bubble it is good to have chemistry throughout the lineup.
Winnipeg Sun: Unshakable and unpretentious, Hellebuyck draws comparisons to Barrasso, love from teammates. He has a faith in himself and his process that has served him well and endeared him to his teammates and coaches.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
The Athletic Winnipeg: What I’m hearing about the Jets ahead of the trade deadline. (Paywall). Murat talks about what he’s heard regarding David Savard, Josh Manson and backup options on D.
Winnipeg Free Press: Ladies and gentlemen… Start your playoff beards. (Paywall). We’ve been saying for awhile that it seems like a foregone conclusion for the top three (and likely four) teams in the North Division.
Winnipeg Free Press: Jets’ line juggling far from over. (Paywall). While it isn’t over Paul Maurice didn’t indicate in yesterday’s media availability that he would like to be done his tinkering by the 17th so he could run with the same lines following that game against the Oilers.
Winnipeg Free Press: Jets winger Appleton has had to prove he can play the game at every level. (Paywall). Watching him as a first year pro who worked his way from the fourth line with the Moose up to the top line I was impressed with his worth ethic and determination. It isn’t a huge surprise that the Wisconsin product has made himself a valuable member of the NHL club.
Jets video:
TSN: What should playoff bound Canadian teams do before the trade deadline? TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button reveals what he would like to see each of the four Canadian playoff bound teams do before the trade deadline Monday.
TSN: Playoff cushion not changing Jets’ mindset in stretch run. Sitting comfortably in a playoff position, the Jets say that their mindset won’t drastically change in the as the seasons winds down as they have been build.
Sportsnet: Trade Deadline Matchmaker: Perfect targets for buying Canadian teams. In the first edition of Trade Deadline Matchmaker, Mike Futa and Kris Versteeg each pick a player they believe would be the ‘perfect match’ for all four ‘buyers’ in the Canadian North division ahead of the trade deadline.
Moose news:
Illegal Curve: Jets sign goalie Cole Kehler to a contract for remainder of the 2020-21 season. From Thursday to Friday it wasn’t a bad 24 hours for Altona, Manitoba’s Cole Kehler. He picked up his first AHL win and then yesterday he picked up a new contract with the Winnipeg Jets according to CapFriendly.
