Winnipeg Jets playoff optional practice/media availability between games 1 and 2 vs Habs

The Jets lost game 1 last night 5-3 but all the talk after the game was focused on the hit by Mark Scheifele on Jake Evans to end the game which has the top centre for Winnipeg having a phone call today with the Department of Player Safety.

Winnipeg was originally slated to practice at 12 noon but instead switched to a media availability at 11 AM with an optional skate.

Skate news:

As per Jeff Hamilton of the Winnipeg Free Press players skipping the optinal include Kyle Connor, Nikolaj Ehlers, Andrew Copp, Mason Appleton, Mathieu Perreault, Josh Morrissey, Tucker Poolman as well as Paul Stastny and Dylan DeMelo.  He did indicate that Mark Scheifele is taking part.

Player availability:

Coach availability:

Topics:

1) Process of preparing the team for game 2 with the uncertainty.
2) Is managing emotions more difficult?
3) Status of Stastny and DeMelo?
4) Necessity of the Scheifele hit.
5) Did he think Scheifele lost his cool in the 3rd?
6) If Scheifele is suspended, can PLD step up?
7) Being better suited to handle adversity.
8) Lack of production in 1st/2nd vs very good in 3rd/OT.
9) The Habs getting under Mark Scheifele’s skin.
10) Has he talked to Scheifele?

Health Update:

Coach Maurice said Dylan DeMelo is still being looked at and he didn’t have an update.  With respect to Paul Stastny he said they “know what we are dealing with there. We’re just hoping he feels good for the game.”

Up next:

The Jets will look to bounce back in game 2 which goes tomorrow night in Winnipeg. Puck drop is at 6:30 PM CT. Be sure to keep it locked to illegalcurve.com for the AM Papers which go live at 7 AM CT and join us after the game on the Illegal Curve Post-Game Show.