Winnipeg Jets Morning Papers

Note: The Jets wobbled a bit on Saturday night in Chicago giving up two goals in the opening period and then allowing the Hawks to take a 3rd period lead but they fought back and then Cole Perfetti said good night with this slick move in the shootout (which we’ve seen from him before) to give Winnipeg the 5-4 win and secure the first ever Central Division title for a Winnipeg based NHL franchise. A very optional morning skate for Winnipeg gets underway at 10:30 AM CDT so stay tuned for the pre-game report to ensure you’re up-to-date on the latest. Puck drop is at 6 PM CDT.

Note II: This evening, after the final buzzer sounds between Winnipeg and Edmonton, 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 starting around 8:40 PM CDT.

Note III: The Moose were also in action on Saturday night as they closed out the home portion of the regular season with a re-match against the Wild. The home team got things cooking in the opening period as C.J. Suess had a nice forcheck resulting in the opening goal of the game (which he also scored). Then Liam Malmquist in his fourth pro game scored his second career goal to make it 2-0. In the middle frame prospect Brad Lambert got crushed along the wall which necessitated his being helped off the ice. He played a bit in the 3rd but then left again. Iowa would fight back in the 3rd to force OT which is when their former captain Mason Shaw took a pass from Jets prospect Elias Salomonsson for the OT GWG. After the game head coach Mark Morrison didn’t have an update on Lambert.

Note IV: Some folks were wondering about Jets prospect Kevin He (2024 4th) and if he was gonna join the Moose for the remainder of their season. He was in Winnipeg to watch their game last night (and he’ll watch the Jets game tonight) but he was banged up as a result of his OHL season so he’ll spend a few days with the team before heading back home to train for the summer.

Jets news:

Winnipeg Sun: ‘Feather in our cap’: Jets clinch Central Division and Western Conference titles. 

Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)

Winnipeg Sun: Jets lose Ehlers to an injury in shootout win over Chicago. 

Winnipeg Free Press: Jets make franchise history with 5-4 shootout win over Blackhawks. (Paywall).

The Athletic: Winnipeg Jets’ Nikolaj Ehlers injured vs. Blackhawks after collision with NHL linesman. (Paywall).

Jets video:

Sportsnet: Arniel believes Jets’ habits have them ‘prepared for the playoffs’. Jets head coach Scott Arniel talks about what makes his current group different from previous seasons and also provides an update on Nikolaj Ehlers, who sustained an injury in the team’s win over the Chicago Blackhawks.

Jets audio:

Illegal Curve Hockey Show: Saturday Podcast. What a week it has been and we reflected on all that was doing in Jetsland on today’s IC Hockey Show as well as preview the game between Winnipeg and Chicago which could win the Jets their first ever Central Division/Western Conference titles. There was lots to discuss.