Note: The Jets picked up a big 4-2 win over the Wild in the first game of their home-and-home back-to-back yesterday afternoon in Winnipeg as they improved to 9-1-2 in December and made it 24 games in a row giving up 3 or fewer goals. No morning skate today with it being a matinee. All the relevant news will be posted in the pre-game report so check back for that. Puck drop is at 1 PM CST. (Update: Jets announced this morning that they have recalled Jeffrey Viel from the Manitoba Moose on emergency conditions and placed forward David Gustafsson on IR).
Note II: This afternoon, after the final buzzer sounds between Winnipeg and Minnesota, 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: The Moose are also in action today as they look to close out 2023 with a win in their re-match with the Stars for the annual New Years Eve afternoon game which today will feature post-game fireworks. Puck drop is at 4 PM CST.
Note IV: On Saturday morning John Lu of TSN had twitter abuzz when he noted that Kyle Connor was skating just 20 days after sustaining a knee injury that was projected to cost him 6-8 weeks of his season. While Rick Bowness wouldn’t change his assessment of the timeline seems like good news that 81 is back on the ice under three weeks since he sustained the injury in Anaheim.
Jets news:
Winnipeg Sun: Nino Niederreiter’s pair of goals help lift Jets past Wild. The Swiss forward was already looking like a steal when they got him for a 2nd but the way he’s played this season it’s looking like grand larceny. Scott gives you his thoughts on the hockey game that took place on Saturday afternoon.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
Winnipeg Free Press: Spunky Jets mow down Wild. (Paywall). Check out Ken’s recap from his bird’s eye view of the contest that took place inside Canada Life yesterday.
Minneapolis Star Tribune: Kirill Kaprizov, Filip Gustavsson leave injured as Wild lose 4-2 to Jets in Winnipeg. The four game win streak was stopped and the loss could have some serious consequences for the Jets division rival. Read a game recap from a writer that covers Winnipeg’s opponent.
Jets audio:
Illegal Curve Hockey Show: Saturday Podcast. On yesterday’s show I was joined by Jim Toth for two hours of Jets/Moose talk including a look at the Winnipeg/Minnesota rivalry, which is most important to fix, PK or PP, putting on GM Hat. Kyle Connor skating. Jets/Wild preview and more. We were joined by Moose forward Wyatt Bongiovanni and Andrew “Hustler” Paterson of Winnipeg Sports Talk.
Jets prospect news:
The Athletic: Jets prospect Elias Salomonsson has taken off with Skellefteå, Team Sweden at world juniors. (Paywall). Fans are already thinking about a right shot defenceman and we’ve been talking about the 2022 2nd rounder
