Note: The Jets looked like they were gonna finally put their long, seven-game losing streak to bed last night in Toronto against the Leafs. They had a 2-0 lead, a 3-1 lead, a 4-1 lead into the 2nd before it all started to come crumbling down. Even after giving up three they scored to make it 5-4 with 8:40 left in the final frame. But two goals by the home team gave the Leafs two more points for their standings bank and the Jets having lost their eighth straight (0-5-3) game. The team are off today before wrapping up this road trip in Ottawa on Saturday night.

Note II: The Moose will be looking for a measure of revenge today in their re-match against the defending Calder Cup champion Canucks who took the New Year’s Eve on Wednesday night by a final score of 5-2. After practicing on Thursday, Manitoba will look to end the six-game homestand with a win against Abbotsford. It’s also the Elias Salomonsson bobblehead giveaway game. Puck drop is at 7 PM CST.

Jets news:

Winnipeg Sun: Jets squander 4-1 lead, lose 6-5 to the Toronto Maple Leafs. It would almost be comical if it wasn’t so soul sucking right now in Jetsland. 

Toronto Sun: Leafs kick off new year with startling rally from three goals down to edge Jets. Read about the game from a writer that covers the Jets opponent. 

Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)

Winnipeg Free Press: Defensive implosion sees Jets losing streak stretch to eight games. (Paywall). Kenny was in Toronto to take in the game. Check out his recap.

Winnipeg Free Press: Morrissey eager to make Olympic history of his own. (Paywall). More insight on the Jets top Dman who made his dream come true with the announcement Team Canada made this week.

Global News: Matthews leads Maple Leafs to 6-5 win over Jets. Quite the game back for the Leafs captain.

The Athletic: Mark Scheifele holds head high despite Team Canada snub: ‘Don’t know what else I could have done’. (Paywall). He was always gonna be in tough when he was passed over for a spot on the 4 Nations club. Despite having an excellent campaign he didn’t get the nod but he isn’t let that hold him down. 

The Athletic: Why the Jets and Maple Leafs have both fallen off so much this season. (Paywall). Murat and Mirtle combined to work on this piece although it should be noted that it was out before yesterday’s 6-5 firewagon throwback.

David Minuk

Working hard on a daily basis to provide the latest Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba Moose news for our readers and listeners. I also appear on the Illegal Curve Hockey Show every Saturday on our YouTube channel as well as the Illegal Curve Post-Game Show after every single Jets game. And I occasionally jump in the play-by-play booth at Canada Life to provide colour analysis during Manitoba Moose games.