Winnipeg Jets Morning Papers

Note: The Jets were off on Wednesday after they finished their road trip out east with two wins and one loss.  With it being a gameday all eyes will be on morning skate which gets underway at 10:30 AM CST. All the relevant news will be posted in the pre-game report so check back for that. Puck drop is at 7 PM CDT.

Note II: This evening, after the final buzzer sounds between Winnipeg and Boston, we want you to be part of the conversation on the Illegal Curve Post-Game Show as we discuss and analyze the results of the game. This season you’ll have a chance to win great schwag including authentic Jets jerseys, hats, etc after every single game (For a variety of ways to enter click here).

Note III: The Moose were in action last night as they took on the Icehogs in a divisional matchup in Rockford were they had a 2-1 lead (Goals: Nikkanen & Toninato), which became a 3-2 deficit in the blink of an eye (20 seconds), and then forced OT courtesy of a 5 on 3 (Goal: Harkins), where they ultimately lost the game. Defenceman Leon Gawanke had two assists in the game which got him to the 100 point milestone in the AHL for the Jets 2017 5th rounder. The single point earned by the Moose gives them 70 on the season (31-19-5-3) which keeps them in 3rd spot. They are just one back of the 2nd place Admirals and two back of the 1st place Stars. They are off today and will head to Chicago where they will practice on Friday before playing the Wolves a couple of times this weekend.

Note IV: The Ice matched their best franchise win total (53) of all time on Tuesday night in Prince Albert and they’ve got five games left to beat it and set a new higher limit. First opportunity for that comes on Saturday when they host the Raiders. They’ve won five straight including their last victory which came against Prince Albert.

Jets news:

The Athletic Winnipeg: How Winnipeg Jets can take advantage of remaining strength of schedule. (Paywall). They have one of the easier schedules now that they’ve gotten through most of the difficult clubs although the Bruins are not looking to continue their recent downward spiral.

Winnipeg Sun: Bowness’s high-wire act something to see as Jets teeter on brink. To be a coach in an NHL market (especially a Canadian one) requires politician level of spin. 

Winnipeg Free Press: Stars’ post-game silence speaks volumes. (Paywall). I suspect given that 55 spoke after the game against the Panthers on Friday it gives him a bit more latitude to decline.

Global News: With a month left, Jets control their own playoff destiny. Who would have thunk it that the Preds and not the Flames are the team more likely to challenge the Jets for a playoff spot. This team can re-set the narrative with a big game against the Bruins tomorrow (who lost the Hawks 6-3 last night) and then a pair of divisional games over the weekend against the Preds and Blues.

Jets video:

Global News: John Shannon on the Jets. Are the Jets back on track after a 2-1 road trip? How many starts will Connor Hellebuyck get the rest of the way? 680 CJOB hockey analyst John Shannon looks at where the Jets are at with just 14 games to go in the regular season.

Sportsnet: Can the Jets afford to give Hellebuyck anymore rest days before the playoffs? Luke Gazdic joins Sportsnet Central to discuss the playoff race in the Western Conference, whether the Winnipeg Jets can afford to give Connor Hellebuyck nights off, what the Calgary Flames need in order to make the playoffs, and more.

Winnipeg Sports Talk: Will the Jets re-sign Connor Hellebuyck? Andrew “Huslter” Paterson and Jeff Hamilton debate the long-term status of the top goalie in Winnipeg.