Note: The Jets had an optional practice on Wednesday as they prepared for today’s game against the Canucks where we learned that all the healthy scratches will be playing. Of course playing in all 82 games is important for some players as Dylan DeMelo told us on Wednesday (Winnipeg has seven players at 81 games) and we could see the rare 83rd game of the season if Sean Monahan plays. Morning skate for the Jets gets underway at 10:30 AM CDT. 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 Vancouver, 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 were in Milwaukee last night where they had a chance to keep their hopes for home-ice alive if they picked up a win against the Admirals. They were fighting from behind throughout the game and it looked like they would need extra time after Manitoba scored two quick goals but a last minute goal in regulation (where have we see that before against this team) meant a loss for the visitors and no chance at home-ice. We now know it will be an extended stay in Texas with the last two regular season games and now up to three dates for the play-in series. Today they travel to Cedar Park, Texas where they will be for at least one week. Of course will they all travel or might a player or two or four be recalled for the Jets game? (Update: Four players recalled).
Jets news:
Winnipeg Sun: Jets depth players antsy for opportunity in regular-season finale. We heard from David Gustafsson, who was coming off two very good games but was then relegated to the pressbox when Nino Niederreiter returned, about how this game can set him up for success heading into the post-season. And that message applies to any of the guys listed as healthy scratches right now. One last chance to get some recognition from the coaching staff so if they decide they need a spark in the playoffs your number is the one that gets called.
Winnipeg Sun: Jets two goals from one-upping Paul Maurice’s Panthers. Something ironic about the fact that it will be a battle between these two clubs for that defensive award given Paul Maurice’s Jets teams were never known for their defensive acumen.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
Winnipeg Free Press: Reflection leads to turnaround. (Paywall). Oh to be a fly on the wall during this mystery video session that we’ve been hearing about from Connor Hellebuyck and Dylan Samberg that really seemed to give the players insight into what was going wrong during that slide.
Winnipeg Free Press: Plenty at stake in season finale. (Paywall). Mike outlines why game 82 is anything but meaningless.
Sportsnet: Stanley Cup Playoff Preview: Jets vs. Avalanche. Tis time for the playoff previews.
The Athletic: NHL playoff preview: Winnipeg Jets vs. Colorado Avalanche. (Paywall). And another preview.
Jets video:
TSN: 1-on-1 with Jets centre Sean Monahan ahead of series with Avalanche. Jets’ forward Sean Monahan joins John Lu to discuss their upcoming first round playoff series against the Avalanche, what they’ll take from their win over Colorado last week and much more.
TSN: Does home-ice advantage give the Jets the edge over the Avalanche? With a win over the Kraken on Tuesday, the Jets locked up home-ice advantage for the first round of the playoffs, where they will face the Avalanche. Which team has the edge in that matchup? TSN Hockey analyst Martin Biron joins SC with Jay Onrait to discuss.
Daily Faceoff: Previewing the Jets and Avalanche first round series. Jon Goyens joins DFO Live to discuss the 1st Round matchup between the Colorado Avalanche and the Winnipeg Jets.
Winnipeg Sun: Do the Jets have the formula to beat the Avalanche? On the playoff preview episode of Jets Setting, Postmedia’s Rob Wong chats with Winnipeg Sun Jets writer Scott Billeck and Winnipeg Sun Sports Editor Ted Wyman about the Jets’ first-round playoff series against Colorado. They discuss what the Jets need to do in order to advance, x-factors for Winnipeg and also their predictions for the series.
