Winnipeg Jets Playoff Practice Report

The Jets lost a disheartening game last night dropping game 3 in double OT which gave the Golden Knights a 2-1 lead in the series. But there isn’t any time to hang their heads as game 4 is quickly approaching.

Skate news/Status of Nikolaj Ehlers:

Because the game went late the team held an optional skate. Logan Stanley took a quick rip. Nikolaj Ehlers skated with some of the black aces. His status won’t be known until tomorrow as head coach Rick Bowness hadn’t spoken to the medical staff before he held his media availability.

Supportive teammates:

It was a duo from Hermantown, Minnesota who spoke first from podium for the Jets as Dylan Samberg and Neal Pionk chatted as they get prepared for game 4. After the pass from Samberg ended up in the back of the net during the double OT, he said all of his teammates have shown him support. They told him to “pick his head up and it’s a seven game series.”

Mark Scheifele up the middle:

Rick Bowness switched Mark Scheifele back to the middle during the game last night and he said that moving forward he will remain at centre.

Recall coming:

The Jets bench boss indicated that the team could use seven defencemen in the game tomorrow night. He also said they are likely to make a recall from the Moose but that this player isn’t likely to play as Manitoba hasn’t played in one week and that they’d be going up against the top team in the West.

Worth noting that the Moose have played seven games in April (last game was April 16th). Both Logan Stanley and Kyle Capobianco have played one game in April (13th) for the Jets. Just because he said today he isn’t using a player from A doesn’t mean he won’t. Could be playoff intrigue.

Winnipeg Whiteout:

Neal Pionk said the “Start of the game was probably one of the coolest experiences of my life”. Nate Schmidt said the team pulled a lot of motivation from the Winnipeg Whiteout crowd.

Mustard Motivation:

Nate Schmidt on if he’s a ‘mustard packet guy’ and he responded “I was last night” as it is supposed to help with cramps.

Players interview:

Coach’s media availability:

Topics:

1) Has he spoke with Josh Morrissey today?
2) What will 44’s role be with the team while he’s out? (:34)
3) Does he have a plan in place as to who replaces 44? (1:10)
4) Is he looking for something specific from his replacement? (1:35)
5) What was the message from Morrissey to the team? (2:18)
6) Message to Dylan Samberg after last night (2:50)
7) What they did to feed the transition game of Vegas and how they stopped it later (4:02)
8) The final minute of the game and the game tying goal (4:40)
9) How much of his job is spent pumping up team, not just X’s and O’s (6:06)
10) Is Ehlers skating today and what is his status? (6:47)
11) Moving Scheifele back to centre (7:19)
12) Using 7D potentially tomorrow and will they make a recall? (7:57)
13) Channeling all that Whiteout energy in the right way (8:38)

Up next:

A pivotal game 4 coming up in Winnipeg tomorrow night. Kick start your morning with all the latest news via illegalcurve.com, stick with us throughout the day for now and then join us after the game on the Illegal Curve Post-Game Show.