Note: The Jets did battle with the Panthers last night and came out on top defeating Florida 3-0 as they picked up their fifth straight victory in what was an emotional day for the club with the return of head coach Rick Bowness following his leave of absence. The Jets are off today.
Note II: The Moose were in Grand Rapids yesterday evening and their up and down season continues as they gave up a goal on the first shot of the game (which would be bad enough but it was the Teddy Bear toss game so down came the teddy bears). The penalty kill used to be an area of strength in Manitoba the last few seasons but a number of those guys are up with the Jets and right now they don’t have it going on sitting 27th in the AHL including giving up two more in the loss last night. The only positive for the club was Jeff Malott breaking up the shutout bid of former Jets/Moose goalie Michael Hutchinson with nine seconds left in the game. The Moose are also off today.
Note III: Winger Gabriel Vilardi missed his 16th game last night after he suffered a sprained MCL in game three against the Kings but it was notable on Friday morning that he shed his non-contact jersey. Rick Bowness wouldn’t rule him out from playing tomorrow in Nashville.
Note III: How about you join us this morning for two hours of Winnipeg Jets talk on the Illegal Curve Hockey Show which gets underway at 9 AM sharp. We will be joined by Garrett Hohl of The Five Hohl and Senior Content Manager & Beat Reporter for the Predators Emma Lingan.
Jets news:
Winnipeg Sun: Is this the best iteration of the Winnipeg Jets since their return? Approaching the 1/4 pole in the season the snapshot of who this team is is coming into focus and they are playing some really good hockey. From a record perspective they are very close to the 2017/18 team and having an identical start to 2018-19.
Winnipeg Sun: Connor Hellebuyck makes 32 saves, Jets shutout Panthers in Bowness’ return. Safe to say number 37 is back in business.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
Winnipeg Free Press: Hellebuyck backstops Jets to 3-0 win over Panthers. (Paywall). Wieber was in Sunrise and gives you his thoughts on the contest.
Winnipeg Free Press: Rick Bowness back behind bench. (Paywall). Ken was the first to break the news that the head could would be returning in full to his team after a 13 game absence.
Miami Herald: Barkov returns, but Florida Panthers shut out by Winnipeg Jets. Takeaways from the loss. Check out this assessment of the game from someone who covers the Jets opponent.
Sportsnet: One question each NHL team is facing at quarter-mark of season. The Jets PK is the big question mark they have for the club approaching the quarter mark of the season.
Global News: Upcoming divisional games will reveal how good Jets really are. Obviously those are important games as you try to see where you stand within the division.
Jets video:
TSN: ‘Defence won this game for Winnipeg’. Jets on TSN commentator Kevin Sawyer explained why despite the 3-0 result, it was defence that won the game for Winnipeg against the Panthers – and a very impressive performance by Connor Hellebuyck.
