Note: Stay tuned to IC for all the post-game audio from coach Noel, the Jets/Flyers dressing rooms and our post-game podcast from the pressbox.
Note II: Make sure to @ tweet the @illegalcurve with your guess in our contests. During tonight’s 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 $41,250 or #ICGWG Wheeler)
Jets news:
Winnipeg Free Press: Postma most likely candidate for trade. With the imminent return of Byfuglien and probable return of Bogosian, a couple of the Jets defenceman are about to find themselves on the outside looking in. As Robin Short said to us on the Illegal Curve Hockey Show back in December, and based on what we have seen so far this season, it looks like Redmond has secured his spot as either the sixth or seventh defenceman on this team. Of course with Postma on a one-way contract, this doesn’t leave the Jets with as many options. If you had to choose between Clitsome, Postma and Redmond, who would you take?
Winnipeg Free Press: Now they need Zach back. Coach Noel has to be brimming with excitement at the possibility of finally having his full defensive group together since last April.
Winnipeg Free Press: Goalies keeping it clean. Healthy competition isn’t a bad thing. It can force a goalie away from complacency and ensure he brings his A game knowing that his backup can take his spot at any time should he falter.
Winnipeg Free Press: Realignment agreement expected soon. This could all be so simple if the Red Wings were willing to stay in the West. Add in the uncertainty around the Phoenix Coyotes and you have the present mess. One thing we do know is this has to be the Jets last season in the Eastern Conference.
Winnipeg Sun: Boring hockey is best bet for Winnipeg Jets. As cliche as it is to say the season is more of a marathon (even though it is lockout shortened) than a sprint. The Jets lulling the Sens to sleep was just what this team needed to do to pull off a road win. They will have a tall task as they take on an ornery Flyers team who lost last night in Toronto.
Winnipeg Sun: Jets should ride the hot hand of Al Montoya. Cue the controversy? Nah, just some good old fashioned competition. And with Pavelec just getting over the flu it might be a good idea to see what Montoya can do following his shutout on Saturday. This would be his first back-to-back action since April 5th and 7th, 2012 when he faced off against the Jets & Blue Jackets.
Winnipeg Sun: Blake Wheeler spinning wheels over league-worst plus minus. He has only been a minus player once in his career (2009-10 with the Bruins) and since then has been a positive player until this season. While he is deep in the hole, it isn’t a number that will be impossible to overcome.
Winnipeg Sun: Ondrej Pavelec relieved to be feeling better, ready to play. He has spoken about his game quite candidly and the Jets will need to see improvement in their number one netminder if they hope to compete in a tough Eastern Conference. The article also references Kyle Wellwood turning the corner and Sean Couturier is suffering from the flu.
Winnipeg Sun: All signs point to Byfuglien, but return of Pavelec, Bogosian against Philadelphia Flyers unclear. Buff was showing all the right stuff Monday at practice and looks like he will be ready to play tonight. And this couldn’t be soon enough as the Jets need to get this three game homestand kicked off on the right foot.
Illegal Curve: Coach Noel audio. Updates on Dustin Byfuglien and Zach Bogosian. Goalie decision for Tuesday? Health of Pavelec. What does he need to see with Bogosian before he is ready to go? Who might come out? Where has the team missed Byfuglien the most? How Buff helps Enstrom. Team focus on Enstrom sans Buff. Wellwood talk. How indicative are Blake Wheeler’s stats on his level of play? Montoya’s work ethic. How satisfied is he with the line adjustments? Getting team numbers out of basement of the league. Thoughts on the upcoming Flyers game.
Illegal Curve: Players audio. Pavelec, Montoya, Stuart and Bogosian.
Jets opponent (Philadelphia Flyers) news:
Philly.com: On a road to nowhere. The Flyers are my Eastern version of the Sharks. Every season I expect that they are going to compete for the Stanley Cup and they continually fail to achieve the standards set by management.
Delaware County Times: James van Riemsdyk, Maple Leafs extend Flyers’ travel woes. The Jets next opponent comes in licking their wounds and will face a well rested Jets squad tonight at the MTS Centre.
NHL news:
Arizona Republic: Coyotes drawing interest from bidders. In the words of Jerry Seinfeld “oh ya, this is going to end well!”.
Globe and Mail: Captain Serious learns to lighten up. Eric Duhatschek with an in-depth look at the Winnipeg native.
Globe and Mail: Leafs big win has Burke’s handprints all over it. Burke will take little solace knowing he helped build the team that is knocking off win after win right now.
CBC: ACC atmosphere could be key to Leafs’ fortunes. Many in Winnipeg would suggest that atmosphere can have a major impact on the game.
