Note: The Jets had a final day of practice in Winnipeg on Tuesday before they flew to Edmonton to kick off their first round series with the Oilers although many lineup questions remain ahead of tonight’s puck drop. Check back to see the pre-game report which will coincide with morning skate (12:30 PM CT) for potential updates as well as for the media availability from players and head coach Paul Maurice. Puck drop is at 8 PM CDT. Join us afterwards for our post-game show here (be sure to smash that like/subscribe button).
Note II: We concluded the 2021 Manitoba Moose season with an end of year roundtable discussion last night on the Illegal Curve YouTube channel. I was joined by Daniel Fink (play-by-play voice) and Austin Siragusa (MooseTV) for a few hours of discussion but mostly focused on interviews with Manitoba GM Craig Heisinger and head coach Pascal Vincent as well as Dylan Samberg (Jets 2017 2nd rounder), Johnny Kovacevic (Jets 2017 3rd rounder) and Jeff Malott (led Moose in goals and tied for AHL rookie goal scoring lead). You can watch and/or listen to it here.
Jets news:
Sportsnet: Jets embrace underdog role vs. Oilers: ‘We know we are good enough to win’. It is smart to embrace an us against the world mentality (although it isn’t as if every pundit is choosing the Oilers). And without Ehlers and Dubois (which seems likely at this point) that circle the wagons thinking is probably gonna be very, very necessary.
Winnipeg Sun: A look at the players most likely to make the difference in Jets series against Oilers. No surprise with the names on the list of gamebreakers for both teams. Also takes a look at how each team could win the series.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
Winnipeg Sun: A lot on the line for Jets organization as playoff series with Oilers looms. It will be interesting to see how injuries impact things.
Winnipeg Sun: You gotta believe. It will be interesting to see how this series plays out.
Winnipeg Sun: Expect Jets and Oilers to go out of character, at least early. Not really sure physicality is a big element of the game for either of these two squads.
Winnipeg Free Press: Jets confident in chances if team plays its best. (Paywall). Doesn’t hurt to have faith but they will have to ensure they are at their best this series.
Winnipeg Free Press: Containing ‘Super Freak’ key to Jets’ success. (Paywall). Easier said than done.
Edmonton Sun: McDavid ready for puck to drop on playoffs. Containing number 97 is going to be a monumental task for the Jets.
Sportsnet: After season series struggles, Jets must raise their game to handle Oilers. They will need to be better against an Oilers team that is hungry for post-season success.
The Athletic Winnipeg: Analyzing the Winnipeg Jets’ projected Game 1 lineup against Edmonton. (Paywall). Murat goes line by line and D pair by D pair ahead of puck drop.
The Athletic: Scouting the Jets’ enemy: Breaking down the Oilers with Daniel Nugent-Bowman. (Paywall). Learn more about the Jets opponent from a writer that covers them.
Jets video:
TSN: All the talk is still about McDavid as Oilers/Jets series draws closer. A day away from Game 1 between the Oilers and Jets and all the talk continues to surround Connor McDavid. Will the Jets have an answer for the Oilers’ captain? Ryan Rishaug and Sara Orlesky discuss this and more.
Sportsnet: What makes Hellebuyck more impactful than McDavid in Jets-Oilers series. Justin Bourne discusses why Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck will be the most impactful player on the ice in the first round against Connor McDavid’s Edmonton Oilers and more.
Sportsnet: Could Nikolaj Ehlers be the X-factor for the Winnipeg Jets vs the Oilers? As Nik Ehlers hopes to return from injury at some point in the series, Danielle Michaud and Sean Reynolds discuss his impact in a historically painful playoff matchup for the Jets against the Oilers.
The Hockey News/SI: Jets and Oilers preview. The first of two North Division matchups to kick off, Winnipeg and Edmonton shouldn’t lack in the entertainment value, featuring two teams with a lot to prove. Matt Larkin and Ryan Kennedy break down the series.
