Note: The Jets can now put two days of practice behind them as they finally have an opponent again as they welcome the Sabres to town. And sounds like they’ll see some familiar faces on the other side of the rink. 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 CST.
Note II: This evening, after the final buzzer sounds between Winnipeg and Buffalo, 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.
Note III: Usually we reference Dman Ville Heinola as smooth-skating, however, while he is back in Winnipeg he is not yet back on the ice. We did see him at the hockey for all centre on Thursday so inevitably assistant coach Brad Lauer was asked for an update.
Note IV: The Moose are in Belleville where they kick off the first of six games on the road. Tonight’s game is the first contest of three-games in three days. Puck drop is at 6 PM CST.
Jets news:
Winnipeg Sun: Jets’ Cole Perfetti processing game quicker as stats continue to amass. I’ve said it before but similar to what we saw with him in the AHL, his approach in the NHL is taking a similar path as he gets more and more comfortable in the league and is able to use his cerebral talents in a variety of ways.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
Winnipeg Free Press: Dylan Samberg a shot-blocking machine. (Paywall). You have to have a certain level of dedication to your teammates and reckless abandon to step in front of a 100 MPH howitzer on a regular basis.
Winnipeg Free Press: Axel Jonsson-Fjallby back with big club after injury to Kupari (Paywall). The speedy Swedish winger was back in front of a few more cameras and people being up with the Jets than when he’s with the Moose. He spent some time after practice answering questions.
Jets video:
Sportsnet: Real Kyper & Bourne discussing the Winnipeg Jets. Sean Reynolds of Sportsnet joined Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne for about 30 minutes of Jets talk. If you are unable to watch the full interview there are some clips (below).
Sportsnet: Are the Jets a better team without Pierre-Luc Dubois? Sean Reynolds joins Kyper and Bourne to discuss centreman Pierre-Luc Dubois’ move to the Kings, why he still has room to improve in Los Angeles, and how the additions the Winnipeg Jets received are making a huge impact.
Sportsnet: What do the Jets need to add to be a top contender in the Western Conference? Sean Reynolds joins Kyper and Bourne to discuss what positions and spots the Winnipeg Jets need to improve to become top contenders in the Western Conference.
Sportsnet: How Scheifele and Connor are combining to be the Jets’ dynamic duo. Sean Reynolds joins Kyper and Bourne to discuss which players are helping the Winnipeg Jets find success so far this season and explains why the dynamic duo of Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor are top of the list.
Sportsnet: How goalie instincts kicked in for Jets’ Samberg on nine shot blocks. Dylan Samberg played goalie as a kid but decided to play as a defenceman. Samberg blocked nine shots against the Nashville Predators three games ago and made a key block against the New Jersey Devils according to assistant coach Brad Lauer.
Jets audio:
CJOB 680: Jets @ Noon. Kyle Connor is the NHL co-leader in goals scored. He joined Cam and Jim on Jets @ Noon to talk about his hot start, being the co-leader in goals, what he works on to improve every year, the improved 5 on 5 play of Winnipeg, learning the Bowness system, how the coaching staff has stepped up in the absence of their head coach, scheduling and more.
