Note: The Jets got some good news on Thursday as it was revealed at practice that Nikolaj Ehlers should be a player tonight when they welcome the Dallas Stars to town for a big central division tilt. Morning skate is at 10:30 AM CT so check out the pre-game report to get the full 411 ahead of the game. Puck drop which is at 7 PM CT and following the final buzzer we want you to join the conversation on the Illegal Curve Post-Game Show.
Note II: The Moose welcomed the IceHogs to town for the first time in two years last night as the two central division rivals kicked off a two-game series. It was close after 20 minutes but then the home side started to roll taking a 4-2 lead into the 2nd intermission and then really opened things up in the 3rd scoring three more to take it 7-2. They will conclude the series tomorrow afternoon.
Jets news:
The Athletic: Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff on the trade deadline and the playoff push — ‘We’re comfortable with this group’. (Paywall). We shall see the truth in those words over the next three weeks. LeBrun had a one on one chat with the Jets GM.
Winnipeg Sun: Jets at a milepost moment with next nine games to decide their direction. As Paul says in his piece there are more questions than answers right now. Greater clarity should be around the corner and it will be interesting to see how this club responds.
Winnipeg Sun: Jets’ Nikolaj Ehlers itching for return and team excited to welcome him back. Just from a goal scoring and puck possession perspective his return to the lineup will be a massive boast to this Winnipeg club.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
Winnipeg Free Press: Jets have no room for error. As this team continued to leave points off their standings bank it became clearer and clearer that the opportunity to have less than optimal games was minimal.
Winnipeg Free Press: Ehlers eager to return to Jets lineup. Suspect it is mutual between the player and the fan base who are desperate to see what he can contribute.
Sportsnet: After missing 19 games, Ehlers’ return should give Jets boost in the arm. And what a boost his return would mean for a Jets club that could use some goal scoring and puck possession.
Global News: Arrival of secondary scoring boosts Jets’ playoff push. It feels like we’ve been talking about this topic for a long time (because we have) but it is a necessity in the NHL to have a TOP 9 that can produce offence. Wieber has more.
Jets video:
TSN: Ehlers on return: ‘I feel good, I feel confident, and I feel ready to go”. Nikolaj Ehlers discusses returning to play after being out for six weeks, due to a lower body injury. Ehlers says he’s never sustained an injury like this one before, despite having dealt with injuries in the past, but he’s happy to finally be back with the team and is ‘ready to go’.
Sportsnet: Adam Lowry has stepped up his game and feeling confident with the puck. Jets forward Adam Lowry has been really happy with his game of late, and he’s finding the back of the net, saying “it’s amazing what a little confidence will do for you.”
Sportsnet: ‘He’s an elite offensive player’ Lowry and Jets looking forward to Ehlers’ return. Jets forward Adam Lowry discusses what it will mean to get Nik Ehlers back in their lineup, possibly for next game, says it’s a huge boost because he’s an elite offensive player in this league.
Moose news:
Illegal Curve: Moose roll against the IceHogs with a big 7-2 win to continue impressive play at home. A look at the lineup, noteworthy tidbits from the game, media availability with players and assistant coach Eric Dubois, highlights from the game and what comes next for Manitoba.
