Note: Stay tuned to IC for all the post-game audio from coach Noel, the Jets/Panthers dressing rooms and our post-game podcast from the pressbox.
Note II: Be sure to stay tuned to @illegalcurve as we will be bringing you all the latest from the MTS Centre as the Panthers visit the Jets. During the game you can win IC Gear by participating in our twitter 50/50 and Game Winning Goal contests. Remember that for your vote to qualify you must send in your guess by hashtaging (#) our 50/50 contest or the Game Winning Goal (GWG) contest. (i.e. #IC5050 $42,375 or #ICGWG Kane.)
Jets news:
Illegal Curve: Coach Noel pre-game presser. Moving Burmistrov up to the 2nd line. James Wright talk. Bringing speed up to Ladd/Little line. 3rd line might lack speed but has experience/chemistry. Success of Versteeg against the Jets. Keeping Panthers off special teams. Does the city have the same passion this season? Buff talk (remains day-to-day). Bogosian close to joining the team.
Illegal Curve: Jets players audio. Scrums with Ondrej Pavelec, Alexander Burmistrov, Bryan Little and Blake Wheeler.
Winnipeg Free Press: Time for Jets to take care of business. The key for the Jets was taking advantage of the down time during this ‘break’ in the schedule and using that as an opportunity to work on fundamentals. If the team can turn things around it will start tonight against Florida.
Winnipeg Free Press: Struggling club can’t wait to be re-Buffed. For all the naysayers, all one needs to do is point to this team with Buff and at this team without Buff and you can see the difference.
Winnipeg Sun: Jets need to find on-off switch fast. And once they find it they had best leave it on. The team cannot afford to take any time off. Whether it is dumb penalties or lazy shifts, coach Noel is going to have to have this team hit another gear tonight against the Panthers. Another loss, to a division rival no less, is simply unacceptable.
Winnipeg Sun: Zach Redmond fitting in on blue-line. He has earned some praise from his coach, which for a rookie defenceman is always a nice touch. His offensive ability is starting to become more evident as he gets more comfortable adjusting to the speed of the NHL game.
Winnipeg Sun: Chris Thorburn laments penalty problems. He and Jim Slater have been entrusted by coach Noel to start a number of the penalty kills this season. They have not gone as well as hoped obviously.
Winnipeg Sun: Without Byfuglien for third game. For all those who malign his game, just look at what this team is like during his absence. Now one player does not make an entire team, but they don’t call him Big Buff for nothing. His impact is huge as is his absence. Of course coach Noel won’t allow the team to use this as an excuse so it will be up to Stuart and Hainsey as the senior rear guards to step up and guide Postma, Redmond and Clitsome along.
TSN: Power Rankings. Jets fell from 9th to 26th but that is what three road losses will do.
National Post: Looking to improve discipline after sloppy road trip. The question on everyone’s mind has to be which Jets team will show up tonight at the MTS Centre?
Winnipeg Jets official site: True North Foundation unveils Project 11. This is part of Hockey Talks Initiatives”Hockey Talks” which will provide education to youth in Manitoba with a focus on positive mental health awareness.
Jets opponent (Florida Panthers) news:
NHL.com: Panthers hope to keep rolling in Winnipeg. The Jets proved to be just what the doctor ordered for Florida last week and they hope to continue that success tonight. While coach Kevin Dineen did not confirm his starting goalie it appears that it will be Scott Clemmensen, who you might recall had a crazy 41 save performance against the Jets last season. Patrick has the expected lines for the Panthers this evening.
Miami Herald: Kris Versteeg hopes success vs. Winnipeg Jets continues. His mystique as a Jets killer continues to gain momentum and the Jets will hope to halt this tonight as the MTS Centre crowd welcomes him to Winnipeg.
Florida Sun-Sentinel: Enforcer George Parros adds punch to lineup. He brings a big, physical presence to the Florida lineup.
NHL news:
NHL.com: Selanne’s record season saw hockey boom in Finland. Always worth reading about the Finnish Flash.
CBC: Vancouver wins season-high 3rd straight game. Good thing Luongo doesn’t keep winning….oh wait.
Toronto Sun: NBPA eyeing NHLPA’s Donald Fehr? Not many NHL fans would be too upset to see him leave for the NBA. And you can bet that outgoing commish David Stern would be happy his tenure ends next season if Fehr did indeed switch leagues.
