Note: The Jets held a very optional practice on Thursday as they get over the disappointment of not knocking out the Flames and turn their attention to the Predators who they host tomorrow night. They return to the ice today for a practice. Stay tuned for the Practice Report.
Note II: The Moose turned a 2-1 lead heading into the 3rd period and saw it become a 5-2 loss to the last place Griffins last night. That’s five straight regulation losses for this Manitoba team. Last time that happened was 2019-20.. They have a re-match tonight which is the final home game of the regular season. It is also the Fan Appreciation game. Puck drop is at 6 PM CDT.
Note III: After putting the ‘win’ back in Winnipeg on Wednesday night courtesy of an Ice sweep over the Tigers to advance to the Eastern Conference Semi Final they were off on Thursday and are off today as well. They are scheduled to practice tomorrow as they prepare for their next series with a yet to be determined opponent.
Jets news:
ESPN: Josh Morrissey’s journey to stardom fueled by influence of his father. While this story was literally written a year ago by locals, getting it to a national stage in the States helps broaden the knowledge of number 44. Even when he was at a Norris level this season, he wasn’t garnering much attention anywhere outside of Manitoba.
Sportsnet: No time for what might have been as Jets look to regroup in final stretch. They could sit around feeling sorry for themselves feeling they deserved a better fate but the reality is if they don’t win on Saturday and at least another game or two after that, they’ll have all spring and summer to lament the loss to the Flames.
CBC: Jets in reach of new record: Quickest collapse by a 1st-place team in NHL history. That headline is not exactly a legacy anyone on this Jets team wants to connect themselves to.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
Winnipeg Sun: Talent and trouble: Jets’ confounding mix keeps things interesting. This Jets team is a riddle wrapped up in an enigma. That’s for sure.
Winnipeg Sun: Jets, Preds at opposite ends of pressure spectrum. One has a ton of pressure and one has none. It will be interesting to see which teams show up in Friendly Manitoba on Saturday night.
Winnipeg Free Press: Jets focused on pesky Predators. (Paywall). Amazing to think that a team that dumped a lot of players or lost them due to injury are still competing for a spot but maybe it isn’t so amazing. Just a sign of guys who are hungry for an opportunity. Worth remembering how it was doom and gloom when the Jets had seven players out of the lineup and yet somehow continued to win games.
The Athletic Winnipeg: Starting to doubt Winnipeg Jets as front-runners after loss to Flames. (Paywall). While the Jets still control their own destiny they do have the more difficult schedule. The good news for Winnipeg may be that Minnesota and Colorado might choose to rest guys up before the playoffs.
Jets video:
Global News: Chat with 680 CJOB hockey analyst John Shannon. He looks back at the Winnipeg Jets loss to Calgary on Wednesday and previews what could be a chaotic final week of the NHL regular season as the Jets look to get into a playoff spot.
Sportsnet: How will Jets respond after their massive missed chance vs. Flames? Sean Reynolds and Ken Wiebe try to pick up the pieces after the Jets massive loss to Calgary, changing everything in the West standings, and while Winnipeg still holds the upper hand, what response will we get in their now biggest game of the year?
Sportsnet: What is Flames’ pathway to post-season berth after huge win vs. Jets? Pat Steinberg talks about the biggest win of the season by the Calgary Flames, how they can steal the last wild card spot, and why the Jets still own a massive advantage over the Flames.
CBC: Pundits offer explanations as Winnipeg Jets now in danger of missing playoffs. Two and a half months ago, the Winnipeg Jets were in first place in the NHL’s western conference. Now they’re fighting for the last playoff spot. If they don’t get it, Winnipeg will set an NHL record for a mid-season collapse. No other team has sat in first place during the second half of a season and then missed the playoffs.
Jets audio:
Sportsnet: The Hockey PDOcast | The Winnipeg Jets should give Nikolaj Ehlers more ice time. Murat Ates joined Dimitri Filipovic to talk about the Winnipeg Jets, their struggles over the past 30 games that have opened up the Western Conference wild card race, and what should be some interesting future decisions for the organization.
Moose news:
Illegal Curve Hockey: Moose losing streak hits five games as Griffins get rolling in 3rd to take it 5-2. Get the full story from yesterday’s game including lineup news, notable factoids, post-game media and more.
