Note: The Jets did the unexpected last night defeating the Oilers 1-0 in OT to take a big 2-0 series lead in Edmonton. They are set to speak today at 10 AM CDT before they return to Winnipeg. Stay tuned for the Practice Report.
Note II: Be sure to join us on the Illegal Curve Hockey Show today as we will be chatting all about the Winnipeg Jets and Edmonton Oilers this morning starting at 9:00 AM CDT. Today’s guests include Ken Wiebe (Sportsnet), Derek Van Diest (Edmonton Sun) and Seth Rorabaugh (Pittsburgh Tribune). 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.
Jets news:
Winnipeg Sun: Overtime hero Stastny brings so much more than scoring to Jets in their playoff quest. Whether it is the coaching staff or his fellow players the respect for number 25 radiates when folks are asked about him and what he brings to the game.
The Athletic Winnipeg: How the Jets defied critics and odds to take a 2-0 series lead. (Paywall). The team committing to defence and a world-class goalie.
Winnipeg Sun: Jets shut down Oilers stars again, win Game 2 as Stastny scores in overtime. It was an unexpected goal but given the way the two goalies were playing, you expected the goal to be of the non-pretty variety.
Winnipeg Sun: ‘Kill or be killed’: Jets’ Dubois lives for post-season. We live in an instant gratification society so his lack of goal scoring has some folks bemoaning his existence but the reality is if he can work himself up and start to produce it could be significant for Winnipeg.
Edmonton Sun: Overtime loss sees Edmonton Oilers fall behind 0-2 to Jets in series. A view from a writer that covers the Jets opponent.
Winnipeg Free Press: Jets beat Oilers 1-0 in overtime. (Paywall). Mike recaps last night’s action.
Sportsnet: Jets’ outstanding defensive commitment paying off against Oilers. They certainly have bought into the team concept as they are playing like a five-man unit for the last little while.
Sportsnet: Oilers still trying to find right balance vs. Jets after Game 2 loss. Not sure balance is the right word given how unbalanced this lineup is, especially when you overload the top line.
Jets video:
TSN: Well running dry for Oilers at worst possible time. The Oilers scored 34 goals in nine games against the Jets this regular season, but in a stunning turn of events they have a grand total of one through two playoff games. Sara Orlesky and Ryan Rishaug have more.
TSN: Button on Oilers’ lack of chances: ‘Hellebuyck could’ve played in a rocking chair’. Connor McDavid once again failed to generate any offence in the second game of the series against the Jets. Craig Button weighed in on the Oilers captain’s inability to generate quality scoring chances in the series.
TSN: Jets reversing regular season narrative by dominating Oilers defensively. Time and time again the NHL playoffs prove that the regular season means nothing. Despite a dismal regular season showing against the Oilers, the Jets have now taken a 2-0 lead in the series, and the main reason for it has been their commitment to team defence, the TSN Hockey panel explains.
Sportsnet: Hellebuyck has been instrumental in Jets’ 2-0 series lead. Following the Winnipeg Jets’ win over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 2, the Hockey Central panel breaks down the win including the stellar play of Connor Hellebuyck through two games.
Sportsnet: Jets playing series perfectly in containing McDavid, Draisaitl. Gene Principe and Mark Spector look at how well the Winnipeg Jets have handled the Edmonton Oilers offence and how this series has become a low scoring one.