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Home , Brendan Guhle, Brendan Lemieux, Bryan Little, Christian Ruuttu, Jack Eichel, Jason Botterill

Winnipeg Free Press https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/jets/jets-upend-sabres-7-4-468522583.html

Young snipers get groove back Ehlers, Connor, Laine bust mini-slumps to dull Sabres

By: Jason Bell

BUFFALO — The young, dynamic skill of the Jets continues to propel the club to new heights — even though a couple of the snipers had been misfiring as of late.

Case in was a 7-4 triumph over a struggling but plucky squad Tuesday night.

Danish speedster , who turns 22 on Valentine’s Day, snapped his 18th and 19th goals of the season on a couple of mirror-image, top-shelf jobs, snapping an eight-game scoring drought in the process.

Just a month past his 21st birthday, , who started the year in the AHL but has cemented himself on the Jets’ top line, scored his 14th and 15th on a pair of pretty snipes, while Patrik Laine, 19, opened the scoring with his 19th — the 100th point of his career in just his 117th NHL contest — to halt a seven-game goalless streak.

Laine and Ehlers, pretty much joined at the hip off the ice, share the team -scoring lead.

Connor, who snapped a three-game pointless skid, is now second in NHL rookie goal scoring behind only the ’ Brock Boeser (22)

Winnipeg (26-11-7) has won three straight and is 6-0-1 in its last seven contests, while Buffalo (10-24-9) suffered its fourth straight defeat and has two wins in its last dozen games (2-7-3).

The Jets remain atop the Central Division, three points up on the (25-11-6) and four ahead of the St. Louis Blues (26-17-3).

Little-used goalie was inserted as the last line of defence for the Jets and won just his third game of the season. The veteran netminder, starting for the first time since a loss to the Dec. 23, finished with 30 saves at KeyBank Center.

Dustin Byfuglien netted his second goal of the season and added his seventh into an empty net for the Jets, who led 2-1 and 5-2 at the breaks.

But Jets head coach Paul Maurice was raving about the squad’s high-profile youngsters in his post-game chat with reporters.

"The two guys with 19 (goals), score more goals than their ages. A lot of good young skill on that ice surface, some great shooters," he said. "Both those guys and (Connor) at 15 (goals) in his first year (NHL season) before the all-star break... some real fine skill there.

"Nik Ehlers’ hockey game, he hasn’t scored in the last couple but his game has been just outstanding. I’m glad he got rewarded because we need him to keep playing the way he’s playing. He’s been great at both ends."

Ehlers was going in top gear all night long and had the hard wrister dialled in. He cut Sabres starting goalie Robin Lehner’s night short early in the second period on a seeing-eye to the top corner just 1:26 into the middle frame to beef up the Jets’ lead to 3-1.

He then ripped a similar shot past Lehner’s replacement, Chad Johnson, at 15:42 of the second with Buffalo’s Jordan Nolan in the box serving a double-minor for roughing.

Indeed, the goals are a whole lot nicer when they’re generated as part of a winning formula, Ehlers said.

"It’s obviously a great feeling to score and help the team win. I think we played a good game (but) the last period not great but it feels good to score again," said Ehlers, who last scored Dec. 19 in a win over Nashville when he potted a pair.

Winnipeg continues a three-game road trip Friday in Chicago and then heads to St. Paul, Minn., for a Saturday night battle with the Wild. The Jets’ league-mandated five-day break begins Sunday.

Meanwhile, the battle for goal-scoring supremacy in Winnipeg rages on.

"We knew how many games we had without a goal," said Laine. "When we started to talk about it, both got goals. Maybe we should talk like that often."

Concerning, however, was the Jets’ third-period sag with a 6-2 lead, allowing the hosts to pull closer on goals by Jason Pominville and , with his second of the game and 17th of the year. Ryan O’Reilly had the other Sabres tally, his 11th of the season.

"They forecheck hard. You give them time and space, they have skilled players who can make plays," said .

"After the game was 6-2, I didn’t like our game at all. There’s always something to get better at."

Mason finally got some goal production from his teammates. He hadn’t started since the host Islanders beat Winnipeg 5-2 on Dec. 23. Before that, the Jets were shut out 2-0 with him between the pipes Dec. 16.

"It was nice to get the goal support. That made it easy for me to settle back into a rhythm," said Mason, who is 3-6-1 in 10 starts.

"After not playing a whole lot, it’s kind of tough to find your groove but when you have that kind of goal support it allows you to be a little more calm back there and work your way back into the game.

"Even though there were four goals scored, I felt pretty strong back there. I just tried to come in and finally get a win. It’s been a while, so it’s nice to be part of a victory from the ice."

Both of Byfuglien’s goals this season have come against Buffalo. His first of the year — in his 30th game — came Friday at home.

Healthy scratches for the Jets were Ben Chiarot and winger . https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/jets/jets-sabres-still-benefit-from-big-trade- 468539273.html

Jets, Sabres still benefit from big trade

By: Jason Bell

BUFFALO — Five players involved in the biggest trade in the short history of 2.0 played Tuesday night in Buffalo.

And a sixth was in the building.

Evander Kane and were in the Sabres’ lineup, while the Jets dressed defenceman and forwards Joel Armia and .

Roslovic was selected by the Jets with a 2015 first-round pick they obtained from Buffalo in that massive deal in February ’15. Then-prospect Brendan Lemieux was recalled from the Moose on Sunday, but was a healthy scratch Tuesday.

Winnipeg also got forward , who helped the team qualify for its first and only playoff appearance, but has since left the organization and has five goals this year with the .

Kane, meanwhile, leads the Sabres with 16 goals, while Bogosian, an alternate captain, is gaining momentum on the back end after beginning the season on the injured-reserve list.

Myers, enjoying a solid bounce-back season after missing all but 11 games of the 2016-17 campaign, said both organizations have benefited from the swap.

"It’s pretty cool. A lot of time has passed since the trade, so the fact that both teams have a lot of pieces from it, it’s pretty cool most of us are in the lineup," Myers said before Tuesday’s game against the Sabres, his first back in Buffalo since the deal. "I’m not going to go into the game focusing on winning the trade. It’s the same focus as any other game, but I’m definitely excited to come back and play my first one."

● ● ●

Entering Tuesday’s game, Patrik Laine hadn’t scored in seven games, his last coming Dec. 19 in a 6-4 triumph over the Nashville Predators.

Over the weekend, his ice time dropped considerably from 10 previous contests. The 19-year- old Finn played just 13:20 on a line with Blake Wheeler and Kyle Connor against the . Most noticeable were the shifts he missed in the third period.

But Jets head coach Paul Maurice said fewer shifts for the young sniper — and Connor — was the result of some great work by the club’s bottom-six forwards, who manufactured Winnipeg’s first two goals of the game (Matt Hendricks with his fourth and Marko Dano with his second).

"There was no message. It wasn’t a benching," Maurice said. "I liked the way the other guys were going. I wasn’t angry at them."

● ● ●

A couple of Jets will, in all likelihood, be selected Wednesday to participate in the NHL All-Star Weekend in Tampa Bay later this month.

Goalie is having a superb season, and is third in the league in victories (23). Wheeler, meanwhile, is seventh in points (50) and fourth in assists (36), while Laine has 18 goals.

The all-star game is set for Jan. 28. https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/bogosian-is-healthy-happy-and-disappointed-in- buffalo-468502093.html?k=lOqMC0

Bogosian is healthy, happy and disappointed in Buffalo

By: Jason Bell

BUFFALO — Life is good for healthy family man Zach Bogosian right now — although he, like the rest of his Buffalo Sabres teammates, had anticipated savouring a lot more victories this NHL season.

They'd managed to collect a paltry 10 wins through 42 games prior to their battle Tuesday night with the visiting Winnipeg Jets.

That puts them in bottom-of-the-barrel territory in the NHL's Eastern Conference, and just three points north of the league-worst to the west. That's something that sits none too well with the 27-year-old defenceman who hails from Massena, N.Y., about a five-hour drive from the Sabres' home at KeyBank Center.

"Obviously, we'd like to be in a better position, hockey-wise. This year has been frustrating," Bogosian said after Buffalo's morning skate. "We haven't really seemed to find our game... we've shown spurts of playing good hockey but, obviously, still not good enough.

"I think coming into this year we had big expectations. If you'd have asked us in September if we'd be in this position, I don't think we would have thought that. I think we would have thought we'd have been much higher up."

A year ago, the Sabres failed to crack the post-season for the sixth straight campaign, yet, at times resembled a team on the rise, finishing four games below .500 (33-37-12). But another sub-par season cost general manager Tim Murray and head coach their jobs.

A familiar face in Buffalo — and in Winnipeg — former NHL all-star defenceman Phil Housley was hired to coach the club while former Winnipegger Jason Botterill was handed the GM reins. With another year of seasoning for sensational youngster Jack Eichel, the resurgence of scorer , and the additions of blue-liner Marco Scandella and forward Jason Pominville to a squad that also has talented skaters such as centre Ryan O'Reilly and defenceman Rasmus Ristolainen, there was belief around the league the organization had taken a step forward.

That hasn't materialized to date, although hope hasn't been lost.

"There's a lot of good players in the organization, whether it's with us or with Rochester (Buffalo's AHL affiliate). You look at a franchise player like Jack (Eichel), he's a great guy to build around. He's a hell of a player and he's an even better person, and that goes a long way in our room. He's the driving force of this team," said Bogosian, who has been with the Sabres since shuffling off to Buffalo with Kane in a blockbuster trade from Winnipeg in February 2014.

"I think the future's bright here. You'd like it to be a little brighter right now. In all reality we knew coming in it was going to be a process, but I think a lot of guys wish it could be sped up a little bit. You want to be in a better position than we are right now."

Winning aside, there's a contentment to the oft-injured former first-round pick (third overall in 2008 by Atlanta), now playing fairly big minutes for the Sabres, in all situations, but with just one assist in 17 contests. Bogosian and his wife, Bianca, a former U.S. soccer star, are enjoying every day with their 18-month-old daughter, Mila.

"It's been a lot of fun, definitely a change, a change for the good," he said.

He's healthy again after an injury that occurred in the last period of the Sabres' final pre-season game — thought at the time to be just a day-to-day thing — that lingered for two months.

In his ninth NHL season, Bogosian's two healthiest campaigns were the first two of his career (2009-11) with the Thrashers. The year before the trade (2013-14), the Jets were without his services for 25 games. Last year in Buffalo, a serious knee injury sidelined him for six weeks.

The physical, mobile blue-liner said he's so ready to shake that rather unfortunate label.

"I thought I had a great training camp, a good pre-season. I liked where was my game was going and then it gets cut pretty short," he said, adding the league hasn't seen enough of him since the Thrashers' relocation to Winnipeg and the subsequent move to Buffalo.

"Every time I've gotten a head of steam, I've run into some injury problems. But I still believe in myself and my abilities, and I really want to keep getting better every day. It's something that I won't be satisfied until I reach that level and I'm going to keep working until I get there."

Nearly three years after the deal that forced him to swap his blue-and-whites for blue-and-golds, Bogosian said he still has a soft spot for Winnipeg and the Jets organization.

I looked at (the trade) a few different ways. It was a hard team to leave because I was close with a lot of guys over there and had a lot of respect for the organization and the city that treated me very well. On the flip side, I got a chance to come home and play close to my parents and be around my family more," he said. "Those guys still mean a lot to me. Hockey is one thing but you take hockey out of it and there's a lot of good people in that organization, that locker room, that I'll be friends with the rest of my life." https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/premier-fires-back-at-shark-attack-on-city- 468488753.html

San Jose GM dips into cold, dark water to apologize for Sharks' attack on Winnipeg

By: Jason Bell

BUFFALO — So, a few of the San Jose Sharks think Winnipeg is the armpit of the NHL. Big deal, right?

Apparently, it has kind of become one.

Some off-the-cuff remarks from a few Sharks players about the Manitoba capital, videotaped before the season began by San Jose broadcaster NBC Sports California, were made public over the weekend. And those comments haven't been received favourably by Winnipeggers, who get rather uppity when their city takes a verbal bashing.

But of greater concern to the Sharks, their own boss isn't at all pleased.

In a since-deleted Jan. 7 tweet, Sharks players Tomas Hertl, Justin Braun and Tim Heed all mentioned Winnipeg when they were asked what city was the worst in the NHL to play in.

Hertl, who hails from not-so-tropical Praha, Czech Republic, said this: "I think it’s Winnipeg 'cuz every time it’s so cold and dark there. I don’t like there."

Braun, a guy raised eight hours south in Minneapolis, said: "Winnipeg. Dark. Cold. Hotel is a little questionable. Internet doesn’t work ever."

San Jose GM Doug Wilson blasted the network for coming up with the question in the first place.

"It’s disappointing that our broadcast partner would put our players in that position first of all, by even asking that question, then putting it on our broadcast," Wilson told the San Jose Mercury News Tuesday. "That was a question that was one of 30 that were asked earlier in the year. To me, it was an inappropriate question that should not have been asked. Whether it was an attempt at humour, it was not appropriate."

Wilson said he got on the phone Monday with Jets executive Mark Chipman and general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff to offer an apology.

"I went to high school in Winnipeg, I played junior hockey in Winnipeg," Wilson said. "It’s a great city and (the Jets are) a wonderful organization and I’m disappointed that our broadcast partner would put our players or our organization in a position to have to respond to this."

Following Tuesday's morning skate in Buffalo, the Free Press asked Winnipeg coach Paul Maurice what he thought of the Sharks comments about the city he lives and works in.

Maurice admitted he hadn’t seen the clips but offered up these gems: "It’s cold and dark. That happens in Canada, occasionally, pretty regularly, every winter. It’s dark at night, that happens pretty much around the world.

"I don’t think any coach, player, trainer, referee should ever complain about a day in the NHL. We’ve got a sold-out building and I’m pretty sure that goes into hockey-related revenues and everybody cashes their cheque," he said.

"The thread count at your hotel isn’t right or your frappuccino isn’t frothed right? I don’t even know what a frappuccino is. My point being we’ve got nothing to complain about; pretty good life, every day. Every city’s a pretty darn good one." https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/jets/holiday-on-horizon-but-jets-all-about- business-this-week-468367063.html

Holiday on horizon, but Jets all about business this week

By: Mike McIntyre

Blake Wheeler says the Jets can't sit back and feel content given how strong their division is this year.

They'd love to be pulling away from the pack — but members of the Winnipeg Jets say their margin for error remains small despite the on-ice success they've enjoyed so far this season.

Sure, the Jets appear to be flying high by leading the Central Division and sitting second in the Western Conference with an impressive 25-11-7 record, including 5-0-1 since the Christmas break. But a quick glance at the standings shows the Jets have just a 10-point cushion on a playoff spot. Minnesota and Anaheim are currently on the outside looking in with 47 points, while Chicago and Calgary are right behind them at 46.

"We haven't separated ourselves from anyone. Our division, and the conference, is really strong this year. If you want to get to where we want to get to, at no point can you sit back and feel content and pat each other on the back," captain Blake Wheeler said Monday. "A bad week or two and you're on the playoff bubble, probably. We've got to keep pushing forward."

And that's why this week is a big one. After playing Tuesday in Buffalo, Winnipeg heads to Chicago and Minnesota for a pair of back-to-back games before enjoying their league-mandated five-day break next week; players will likely scatter in many directions for a quick in-season holiday.

"It's a time of the year you don't want to get ahead of yourself. There is quite a bit that can happen still," centre said Monday. "That's what kinda keeps us motivated right now. Just how good some of the other teams are playing right now. We have to keep winning games, and we're doing that."

Winnipeg is still without top centre for at least another month, and energy forward Brandon Tanev is likely going to miss at least another week. Adam Lowry is also dealing an upper-body injury and couldn't play in Sunday's 4-1 win over San Jose. His status for Tuesday is unknown. That could mean a second consecutive game for rookie Jack Roslovic, who made his season debut Sunday.

"It's exciting to see him get a chance here. He's played so well with the Moose this season. I think if he keeps working hard he's going to get that opportunity," said his good friend and fellow 2015 first-round draft pick, Kyle Connor.

Wheeler played some shifts in the third period with Roslovic as coach Paul Maurice shortened his bench while protecting a lead. They appeared to have instant chemistry, with each setting the other up for a quality scoring chance.

"He's got a ton of speed. He's a horse," Wheeler said Monday. "In our conditioning tests, I think he finishes first in camp every year. He's just a special guy like that. Made a couple really nice plays (Sunday). I enjoyed being out there with him. He's a smart hockey player. Made some nice reads. Just another good young player to add to our group."

It's worth noting the Jets called up Brendan Lemieux from the Monday, which may indicate that Lowry is likely to sit. Lemieux would be an extra healthy forward, in that case. Winnipeg also returned defenceman Tucker Poolman to the Moose now that they have seven other healthy blue-liners, with the recent returns of Dustin Byfuglien and Toby Enstrom.

"We're handling the adversity we're going through right now well," Little said. "Having Scheifs out, a couple guys out of the lineup that are a big part of the team, we're still finding ways to win so that's really big. But we can't look too far down the calender right now."

He said while players are naturally excited about getting some personal time away from the ice next week, it's important to finish up strong.

"We're going to try end it on a good note. I think the break is coming at a pretty good time. We can use that to get guys rested up and healed up and back in the lineup, We're going to try and win all these games we have left," he said.

Wheeler said the mindset doesn't change this week despite having the player break looming — with one small exception.

"Well, you have to pack a little differently for this road trip," he said Monday. "That's what's given us success this year. We've gone day by day, game by game, and try to find ways to get better every single day. We haven't looked too far ahead, haven't overlooked any opponents. That's a good thing. It keeps you driving. It keeps you wanting more success. It's something we haven't had a lot here. The more you get, the more you want." https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/jets/capt-wheeler-front-and-centre-on-top- line-in-scheifeles-absence-468353983.html

Capt. Wheeler front and centre on top line in Scheifele's absence

By: Mike McIntyre

In the five games as the Jets' No. 1 centre, Blake Wheeler has scored five goals, added three assists, taken 20 shots on goal, is a plus-two and has won 30 of his 61 faceoffs.

Blake Wheeler is used to being the centre of attention, even if it's not something he's particularly comfortable with. It comes with the territory when you're the captain of a hockey team in a Canadian market.

But these days, Wheeler is looking mighty comfortable as the centre of the No. 1 line on one of the NHL's hottest teams. And that has opened up a world of future possibilities for Winnipeg Jets coach Paul Maurice, who admits he'd consider keeping Wheeler down the middle even when his team gets fully healthy.

"If he can run another six weeks on that, then we’re going to take a real hard look at him playing centre ice," Maurice told reporters over the weekend. "Sure I’d consider it, because there are other things we can do. But I want to qualify that… let’s see in late February."

That timeline, of course, refers to when Mark Scheifele is expected to be back from the upper- body injury he suffered Dec. 27. His absence has forced Maurice to do some tinkering by moving Wheeler, one of the league's top right-wingers, to the middle. He's been flanked by a pair of talented teens in Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor.

In the five full games he's played at that position, Wheeler has scored five goals, added three assists, taken 20 shots on goal, is a plus-two and has won 30 of his 61 faceoffs. Most importantly, his team has yet to lose in regulation, going 4-0-1.

They'll look to build on that streak when they open a road trip Tuesday in Buffalo.

"I think it's impressive. It's not easy going from the wing to centre. It's a lot different. And he makes it look easy, makes it look seamless," veteran centre Bryan Little said Monday of his teammate's transition. "It's fun to watch. It looks like he's been playing that position his whole career. That's really big for us, considering Scheif is out, that he can step up and do that."

Little said there's more responsibility playing centre, especially in your own end, but Wheeler hasn't missed a beat.

"You gotta set the pace for the line. A lot of the way you enter zones, a lot of the puck movement comes from that centre. I think that's why he's successful. He's got that speed up the middle and he's a good passer and playmaker," said Little. "I think he's the perfect guy for it. When he gives advice or talks to his linemates, they listen. He's the leader in the dressing room, but he leads by example on the ice. Playing with young guys, they can watch him and see the way he handles himself."

Connor, who has put up two goals and two assists with Wheeler as his centre, said he's learning every day from the captain.

"He's been great. It's a testament to him. You can throw him in any situation on the ice. He kills penalties, plays power plays. He doesn't look out of place. He's been great for us," Connor said Monday.

Wheeler has made it abundantly clear this year he doesn't want to talk about any of his personal accolades or accomplishments, preaching a "team-first" mentality on a frequent basis. And so it was no surprise when he shrugged off any praise Monday and said he'll play wherever his coach tells him to.

"You just want to do your best. It's a little bit different, but I've had enough experience with it in the past to know a little bit about what to do," said Wheeler. "I think we're trying to eliminate multiple mistakes. Mistakes are going to happen, especially in the defensive zone. It's typically the second or third one that ends up in your net."

Maurice said Wheeler's adjustment has gone even smoother than he expected, but pointed to the fact his captain is getting to touch the puck a lot more. That may account for why he's suddenly firing so many shots on net, with many of them going in. Wheeler had nine goals in his first 38 games on the wing, and now five in five games at centre.

"I think when you have the puck on your stick, it's a good feeling regardless of where you are on the ice. You want to get as many touches as you can," said Wheeler.

Following last Friday's win over Buffalo, Wheeler got into an interesting exchange with the media when asked if he had a preference for staying at centre or moving back to the wing when Scheifele returns.

"You think that’s something I would share with you, regardless? Probably not. Certainly, there will be a discussion at some point, but like I said, wherever it is decided that I can play to help us best win, that’s where I will go and do my best," he said.

A follow-up question was asked: is he enjoying his current role?

"We’re winning, man," was the response. https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/manitoba-moose/manitoba-moose-steals- point-after-being-manhandled-by-grand-rapids-468408773.html

Manitoba Moose steals point after being manhandled by Grand Rapids 'Let’s not kid ourselves. It wasn’t a good performance at all': Cormier

By: Jeff Hamilton

Despite what’s been a memorable season for the Manitoba Moose so far, much of what unfolded at Bell MTS Place Monday night amounted to a game they’d soon want to forget.

For the first 57 minutes the Moose were outworked, outplayed and outscored as they looked destined to leave the night empty-handed. Then came the final minutes of the third period.

Trailing 2-0 late and with Michael Hutchinson pulled from the net for an extra attacker, Manitoba finally found their scoring touch, bursting for two goals in a span of just 36 seconds. The momentary flash of brilliance from the home side was enough to force and ensure at least a point in the standings.

But with a chance to complete the comeback, the Moose fell just short, losing 3-2 in the extra period on a shot that beat Hutchinson high following a bad bounce.

"Let’s not kid ourselves. It wasn’t a good performance at all," said Moose captain Patrice Cormier. "Great for us to come back and get a point but keep doing that… it’s going to catch up to us."

The deciding goal came with one minute and 49 seconds remaining in overtime, after the Moose tied the game with goals from defenceman Cameron Schilling and forward Nic Petan. Griffins defenceman Filip Hronek let go a shot that redirected off the stick of Schilling on its way to the net, sending the puck high and past the shoulder of Hutchinson into the top right corner.

"Just went off my stick and beat Hutch," Schilling said.

"There’s nothing he can do about it and not a ton I could do about it either. Just bad luck but maybe that’s karma for not playing the best of games."

Indeed, nothing seemed to go right for the Moose on this night, even if they did manage a late push. It was a rare performance in a season in which the Moose have led the standings for much of the season and have a healthy lead atop the Central Division.

With the loss, Manitoba dropped to 25-6-3-2. They remain in top spot in the AHL, as all other teams were idle, and are 12 points up on the for first in the Central.

Still, Moose head coach Pascal Vincent wasn’t about to let his team off the hook just because of what they’ve done in the past.

"We’re in a position to feel good about ourselves but we’re not in the playoffs yet," said Vincent. "We need to stick to our plan and stick to the process and make sure there’s no entitlement."

As for the Griffins, they find themselves on a bit of a roll after starting the season slow, following a championship run last spring. With the win over the Moose, Grand Rapids has now earned points in eight of its last nine games, including seven wins. They still have some room to make up, with their record of 17-16-1-4 still only good for sixth place in the Central.

On Monday, Grand Rapids came out of the gate with speed, pushing the play right from the opening faceoff. It wouldn’t take long for them to get rewarded for their work, taking a 1-0 lead just 1:59 into the game. Matthew Ford scored his 15th of the season after patrolling the front of the net, slipping home a rebound past Hutchinson.

The visitors would double their lead later in the period when Eric Tangradi, a former member of the Winnipeg Jets, intercepted a Schilling pass at his own blue line before walking in alone to beat Hutchinson with a move to the backhand.

The goal was Tangradi’s 11th of the season, putting the Griffins up 2-0 with five minutes remaining in the opening period.

Neither team would be especially good in the second period as both teams went scoreless in the frame. The best chance for Manitoba would come with seconds left in the period, when Darren Kramer fed a pass to Jimmy Lodge on the doorstep, only for Griffins goalie Tom McCollum to get a read on the shot at the last second.

McCollum, a first-round pick of the who has spent much of his professional career in the AHL, made 33 saves in the win. Hutchinson countered with 30 saves in the loss, his record falling to 14-2-4.

Vincent wasn’t looking for excuses for why his team couldn’t seem to find their legs for most of the game. It didn’t matter that the Moose were without two of their forwards in J.C. Lipon and Francis Beauvillier due to injury and another in Brendan Lemieux, who was called by the Winnipeg Jets, and therefore forced to play with 11 forwards. What he said does count is that his team can take the loss as a lesson that if you want to stay at the top you need to learn from your bad games – not just cherish the good ones.

"Right now we’re getting a little bit away of who we are," he said.

"Right now we’re just a little bit off and we need to get back on track."

The Moose will get that chance when they face off against the Griffins Wednesday in what is the second game of a six-game homestand.

Winnipeg Sun http://winnipegsun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/winnipeg-jets/jets-snipers-break-long-droughts-in-win- over-sabres

Jets snipers break long droughts in win over Sabres

By Ken Wiebe

BUFFALO — There was no crisis of confidence for Patrik Laine to make public this time around and no harsh self-criticism about his level of play required when he spoke to reporters following the morning skate.

All Laine needed was a quick discussion with Nikolaj Ehlers about how long their respective goal-scoring droughts had actually stretched to.

It didn’t Laine take long for the words to turn into action, as his long wrister on a Winnipeg Jets power play snapped his longest goal-scoring drought of the season at seven games and opened the scoring in what turned into a 7-4 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday at KeyBank Center.

“We knew how many games we had (gone) without a goal. When we started to talk about it, both got goals. Maybe we should talk like that often,” said Laine, who is up to 19 goals and 36 points in 44 games this season. “It felt good to score again. It was a huge goal for our team to capitalize on the power play right away. It was a weird game. Lots of goals and we allowed a couple of goals that we shouldn’t. But it was a good win.”

As for Ehlers, his sights were definitely dialled in on that spot just under the crossbar high to the glove side.

By hitting that target on two separate occasions, Ehlers delivered his first goals in nine games — ending what tied his longest drought of the campaign.

To suggest this was a snapping-the-slump situation would be a stretch, since Laine had six assists during the stretch and Ehlers had five.

“I honestly didn’t even know. (Laine) knew. He told me,” said Ehlers, who is tied with Laine for the team lead in goals. “We played a good game (but) the last period (was) not great.”

The Jets, who improved to 26-11-7, play games against the on Friday and on Saturday to end this three-game trip.

After building a 6-2 lead, the Jets got loose defensively and coasted a bit to the finish line, allowing the Sabres to score a pair and make things interesting before Joel Armia salted the game away with an empty-net goal.

“We did a lot of really good things in the first period. The second period was great as well. We did enough to hang on there,” Jets captain Blake Wheeler said. “After the game was 6-2, I didn’t like our game at all. There’s always something to get better at.”

So, how do you fight that natural reaction to let down after building a big lead?

“We stopped playing. We let them back into the game and it’s exactly what we talked about not doing,” Ehlers said. “So, it’s something we need to look at.”

Both Laine and Kyle Connor spent the final 10 minutes or so of Sunday’s 4-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks as spectators and both players responded well to the teachable moment.

Laine had a goal, while Connor had a pair of goals and an assist to get him to 15 goals and 28 points in 38 games.

Dustin Byfuglien had the other goal for the Jets, his second in three games after needing 30 to score his first of the campaign.

There was a scary moment for the Jets during the third period, as Wheeler fell to the ice in pain after blocking a shot from Sabres defenceman Nathan Beaulieu with his right hand.

Wheeler went straight down the tunnel after getting back to his feet.

With top centre Mark Scheifele on the shelf for an extended period of time with a suspected shoulder injury, the Jets can ill afford to lose Wheeler, who has filled in admirably after moving to the middle.

But Wheeler didn’t miss a shift and finished the contest with two assists.

“My hands are nice, don’t you think? It’s fine, thanks,” said Wheeler, responding to a question about the shot he blocked. “I can’t tell you where it caught me. A slapshot to the hand doesn’t feel great, but nah, nothing serious. No problems.”

Jets backup goalie Steve Mason got the nod between the pipes, starting for just the third time since suffering a concussion in a game against the Sharks on Nov. 25.

The numbers weren’t flattering, as Mason allowed four goals on 34 shots on goal, but he was able to deliver his third win in 11 appearances this season — and first since Nov. 22.

“Even though there were four goals scored, I felt pretty strong back there. I just tried to come in and finally get a win. It’s been a while, so it’s nice to be part of a victory from the ice,” Mason said. “It was nice to get the goal support. That made it easy for me to settle back into a rhythm. After not playing a whole lot, it’s kind of tough to find your groove, but when you have that support, it allows you to be a little more calm and work your way back into the game.

“Any time you get a big lead, sometimes things can get a bit sloppy, but I would have liked to come up with some more saves to keep the goal total down. But at the end of the day, the two points are all that matters and it was nice to get (a win) here.” http://winnipegsun.com/news/local-news/locals-drop-the-gloves-as-sharks-players-name- winnipeg-worst-nhl-city

Locals drop gloves as Sharks players name Winnipeg worst NHL city

By Glen Dawkins

"I hear it’s cold and dark? Well, that happens in Canada occasionally. Pretty regularly, every winter. It’s dark at night, yeah that happens pretty much around the world," said Jets coach Paul Maurice.

A video posted on the San Jose Sharks twitter account quoting players saying Winnipeg is worst city in NHL has Winnipeggers ready to drop the gloves.

“You’re going to see a trend here, especially among NHL players who aren’t from Canada, who are going to not like losing to Winnipeg,” said Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister, at a media event – ironically it would seem – to announce improved Internet service to rural and remote areas of Manitoba.

“They are going to naturally react and lash out. It’s kind of childish and immature but it’s what you get following a defeat. All athletes reveal themselves more after they’ve lost than they do after they win. These players from San Jose, I’d just tell them, ‘Come back soon, and get ready to be pouty again after your next loss.’ ”

The comments came on the heels of a 4-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets Sunday in San Jose’s only visit this season to Bell MTS Place.

In a video posted on the Sharks on NBC Sports California Twitter account, three players were asked what the worst city to play in is. All three answered Winnipeg.

“Winnipeg. Dark, cold, Internet is a little questionable,” said defenceman Justin Braun, who grew up in the bustling metropolis of White Bear Lake, Minn. “Internet doesn’t work ever. I don’t know if they have Wi-Fi there yet.”

“Every time it’s so cold and dark there. I don’t like it there,” added forward Tomas Hertl, while Tim Heed deemed it “a bit cold.”

“I didn’t read (the story or see the video), so it’s dangerous to comment,” said Jets coach Paul Maurice following the team’s pre-game skate Tuesday morning in Buffalo. “I hear it’s cold and dark? Well, that happens in Canada occasionally. Pretty regularly, every winter. It’s dark at night, yeah that happens pretty much around the world.”

The Jets it seems aren’t taking the slight too seriously, although Maurice was willing to throw a few verbal punches of his own.

“I don’t think any coach, any player, trainer or referee should ever complain about a day in the NHL,” said Maurice. “We’ve got a sold-out building, pretty sure that all goes into Hockey Related Revenues and everybody cashes their cheque. If the thread count at your hotel isn’t right or if your frappuccino isn’t frothed right – I don’t even know what a frappuccino is – but my point being, we’ve got nothing to complain about. A pretty good life, every day. Every city is a pretty darn good one.”

Even Mayor Brian Bowman weighed in with some helpful tips for the Sharks players for turning on the Wi-Fi on your iPhones.

“There’s a simple setting,” said Bowman with his tongue firmly planted in his cheek. “If you have an iPhone, you go to the Wi-Fi and turn it on.

“Jokes aside, I know that when the season ends abruptly at the end of the regular season for the San Jose Sharks I’d like to invite them to enjoy one of our beautiful city golf courses. We’ve got many golf courses for them to choose from and they’re all welcome.”

Coun. Marty Morantz (Charleswood-Tuxedo-Whyte Ridge) suggested they come back to see the Canadian Museum for Human Rights or the Journey to Churchill at the Assiniboine Park Zoo.

Many Jets fans were unappreciative of the criticism from the San Jose players, but did thank the Sharks for the two points earned in the win.

“Revenge is a dish best served cold! Dark and cold!” Carlo Todaro tweeted.

– With files from the Canadian Press http://winnipegsun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/winnipeg-jets/blockbuster-deal-working-out-big-trade- with-sabres-changed-jets-identity

Blockbuster deal working out: Big trade with Sabres changed Jets identity

By Ken Wiebe

BUFFALO – Best trade ever?

Well, it’s pretty obvious the chant inside Bell MTS Place last Friday came with plenty of bias attached from fans of the Winnipeg Jets.

There’s little doubt the blockbuster deal between the Jets and Buffalo Sabres three years ago changed the direction of both franchises.

That’s not up for debate.

As the two teams met for the second and final time this season on Tuesday at KeyBank Center, there was plenty of discussion revolving around the deal that saw the Jets trade left-winger Evander Kane, defenceman Zach Bogosian and the rights to then college goalie to the Sabres for defenceman Tyler Myers, forwards Drew Stafford, Joel Armia and Brendan Lemieux and a 2015 first-rounder that turned into Jack Roslovic.

Five players from the trade were involved in Tuesday’s game and there was nearly a sixth, since Lemieux is just back up from the Manitoba Moose.

For Tyler Myers, it was his first game in Buffalo against a Sabres team that chose him 12th overall in the 2008 NHL Draft.

Myers had an excellent rookie season with the Sabres in 2009-10 that ended with him winning the Calder Trophy.

But as the losing seasons began to mount, Myers found himself in numerous trade rumours before he eventually was sent packing.

“With the situation we were in, it wasn’t surprising that a change came. A lot of changes tend to happen in a situation like that,” said Myers. “Maybe the surprise was Winnipeg. I hadn’t heard much about Winnipeg (being on the radar). In terms of being shocked, I didn’t have that feeling. I expected something was coming.

“It’s easy to say that given how things have gone, it’s meant a lot.”

The Jets made the playoffs in just one of those three seasons, but currently occupy top spot in the Central Division standings.

“We’ve really developed a winning mentality, really put in the time to try and become a team that has learned how to win,” said Myers. “We’re trying to keep that going, going forward.”

Although Stafford signed a two-year extension with the Jets before he was traded last season, Armia has worked his way into regular duty while Roslovic and Lemieux have gotten a taste of the NHL and probably aren’t that far away from contributing on a consistent basis.

“We made the playoffs that year for the first time (since relocation) and both (Myers) and (Stafford) came in and made a really big impact right away,” said Jets head coach Paul Maurice. “We’re starting to see the other guys. We still think it’s ahead of us, with the impact it’s going to have. It changed a lot of things. We put in four or five really good players.”

At the time of the deal, the Sabres were in rebuilding mode and acquired a pair of high first- round draft picks in Kane (fourth overall in 2010) and Bogosian (third overall in 2008).

The Jets were pushing for a playoff spot and were at a crossroads with Kane, who required shoulder surgery and didn’t suit up again in 2015 after the infamous tracksuit incident in Vancouver.

Bogosian has dealt with some injuries, but remains a blue-liner who averages nearly 20 minutes per game, while Kane brought a physical element to the Sabres and has produced 64 goals and 113 points in 177 games for the Sabres since the deal.

“Coming into this year we had big expectations. I think if you’d asked us if we’d be in this position in September I don’t think we would have thought that,” said Bogosian. “There are a lot of good players in the organization, whether it’s with us or in Rochester. You look at a franchise player like Jack (Eichel), he’s a great guy to build around. I think the future is bright here. You’d like it to be a little brighter right now. But in all reality we knew coming in it was going to be a process, but I think a lot of guys wish it could be sped up a little bit. Obviously, you want to be in a better position than we are right now.”

Kane, who is in the final season of the six-year, $36 million deal he signed with the Jets, is due to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and one of the most attractive players on the rental market.

What can’t be disputed is that the Jets lost a chunk of their identity of being a big, fast and tough team to play against when they moved Kane and Bogosian.

“Both Evander and Zach were important pieces to the Winnipeg Jets, so it changes that identity when you have two important men go out of your lineup,” said Maurice.

The impact of the deal is sure to be felt by both organizations for years to come. “You bring in two men that (play) different styles of game completely. It changes your look, for sure.” http://winnipegsun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/winnipeg-jets/jets-rolling-alonglemieux-recalled- poolman-demotedcopp-shows-versatilityconnor-laine-take-a-seat

Jets rolling along…Lemieux recalled, Poolman demoted…Copp shows versatility…Connor, Laine take a seat

By Ken Wiebe

BUFFALO – You won’t catch Blake Wheeler looking ahead to the extended vacation the Winnipeg Jets are about to enjoy.

The captain of the Jets has spoken all season long about the importance of staying in the moment and that won’t change with three games to play before the five-day break mandated by the collective bargaining agreement.

“You’ve got to pack a little bit differently for this road trip,” Wheeler told reporters before the Jets made their way to New York on Monday afternoon to face the Sabres. “That’s what has given us success this year, we haven’t looked too far ahead, haven’t overlooked any opponent. We’re trying to get better at everything we do every single day.”

The Jets are 5-0-1 since the Christmas break and remain in first place in the Central Division standings, but they’re still about to kick up their feet and shift into cruise control mode.

“We haven’t separated ourselves from anyone,” said Wheeler. “Our division and the (Western) Conference is strong this year. If you want to get to where we want to get to, at no point can you sit back and feel content or pat each other on the back.

“If you look at where we’re positioned, we like that, but there are teams right on our heels. That’s a good thing. It keeps you driving, keeps you wanting more success. The more you get, the more you want. If you have a bad week or two, you’re on the playoff bubble, probably. There’s no time for feeling gratified in January. You keep pushing forward. This is going to be a big month for us.”

The trip concludes with games against a pair of Central Division opponents, the Chicago Blackhawks and Minnesota Wild, on Friday and Saturday.

“It’s the time of the year you don’t want to get ahead of yourself,” Jets centre Bryan Little told reporters. “There’s quite a bit that can happen still and a lot of hockey left, a lot of games left. We’re all happy with where we’re at, but we’re not patting ourselves on the back. We’re still finding ways to win, so that’s really big. But we can’t look too far down the calendar right now.”

Moves made Although we won’t know for sure until Tuesday, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Jets centre Adam Lowry sat out another game with an upper-body injury.

The Jets have recalled left-winger Brendan Lemieux from the Manitoba Moose and sent defenceman Tucker Poolman back down to the American Hockey League on Monday afternoon.

The demotion of Poolman was expected, since the blue-liner missed the past three games as a healthy scratch after Dustin Byfuglien returned to the lineup after missing 10 games with a lower-body injury.

Poolman needs to be playing, so spending some time with the Moose during this six-game homestand makes perfect sense.

Lowry, who was involved with a heavy collision with Sabres defenceman Rasmus Ristolainen during the third period on Friday, took the pre-game skate but was unable to go and was a late scratch.

The absence of Lowry opened the door for Jack Roslovic to make his season debut with the Jets against the San Jose Sharks.

Roslovic saw just under eight minutes of ice time against the Sharks, but saw his role increased during the third period and showcased the skill that has him leading the Moose in scoring in just his second pro season.

Lemieux, who was part of the blockbuster deal that sent Evander Kane and Zach Bogosian to the Sabres in February of 2015, had one goal in seven games with the Jets earlier this season and has nine goals and 24 points in 24 games with the Moose.

It is not yet known if Lemieux will draw into the Jets lineup on Tuesday or if he’s on the trip as insurance.

Smooth transition The loss of Lowry created an opening at centre on the third line and Andrew Copp shifted back over to his natural position after playing the bulk of the season on the wing.

“Being able to change between positions and change between linemates, I feel like my hockey IQ helps me out with that,” said Copp, who picked up two assists in Sunday’s 4-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks. “Just being in the right places and be solid defensively, if nothing else. But we had some offensive-zone time, made some good plays and obviously got rewarded.

“With faceoffs, it took me a while to get back into it. I started a little slow, but finished strong. I feel like I’m a natural centre that is playing on the wing to the best of my ability. I’ve gotten a lot more comfortable there and am finding my game there (on the wing). But at the same time, moving back to the middle is something I’m very comfortable with and thought I handled it well, especially finding out last second (that’s where he was playing).”

Copp has four goals and 13 points in 43 games this season while averaging 13:32 of ice time, which is up nearly three minutes from his career average.

Connor not concerned Jets forwards Kyle Connor and Patrik Laine each saw their ice time reduced during the final 10 minutes of action as Jets head coach Paul Maurice cut down to three lines.

Connor understood the decision, but doesn’t want to make it a regular occurrence.

“You never want that to happen, but you’ve got to stay positive and try to have an impact on the game – if you’re not playing the last couple of minutes or if you’re out there every shift,” Connor told reporters on Monday. “We’ve got a really deep team.”

Connor has done an excellent job since being recalled from the Moose early in the season, chipping in 13 goals and 25 points in 37 games.

But Maurice felt both Connor and Laine were having trouble moving the puck out of the defensive zone, that’s why he limited their ice time while protecting the lead.

Asscoiated Press http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/connor-ehlers-score-two-goals-jets-win-sabres/

Connor, Ehlers score two goals in Jets win over Sabres

By Associated Press

BUFFALO, N.Y. — High-octane offence continues to fuel the surging Winnipeg Jets.

Kyle Connor had two goals and an assist, Nikolaj Ehlers also scored twice, and the Jets defeated the Buffalo Sabres 7-4 on Tuesday night for their third straight victory.

The Central Division-leading Jets are 6-0-1 in their past seven games and have scored at least four goals in their past 13 victories.

"Everyone’s stepped up a little bit," said Jets forward Blake Wheeler, who had two assists to extend his point streak to seven games.

"We’ve had some injuries and some guys have been given opportunities to play a little bit different role, a little bit bigger role, and done a good job."

Patrik Laine and Dustin Byfuglien also scored for the Jets in the opener of a three-game road trip. Joel Armia added an empty-netter as the Jets tallied seven goals for the fourth time this season. Jacob Trouba and each had two assists.

Winnipeg’s backup Steve Mason made 30 saves to earn a win for the first time in his past four starts.

"It was nice to have the goal support," Mason said. "That made it a little easier for me to settle back in a rhythm."

Jack Eichel had two goals and an assist and Ryan O’Reilly had a goal and two assists for the Sabres, who were playing at home for first time since Dec. 22.

Buffalo has lost five in a row and twice in five days against the Jets.

Jason Pominville also scored and Robin Lehner stopped 14 shots before getting pulled early in the second period after allowing a third goal.

"I got to be better," Lehner said. "I take responsibility for this."

Laine scored on a power play at 6:43 of the first to record his 100th NHL point, joining Toronto’s as the second player from the 2016 draft to reach the milestone. It was Laine’s 19th goal of the season.

The Sabres tied the game when Eichel scored for the first time in five games late in the first period.

Byfuglien responded 49 seconds later for Winnipeg with a slap shot from just inside the blue line for his second of the season.

"You think you get momentum back and they get a goal," Eichel said. "Obviously, shifts after a goal are important."

Ehlers made it 3-1 less than two minutes into the second period, sending Lehner to the bench. Connor lifted one over the shoulder of Sabres backup goaltender Chad Johnson (16 saves) from the slot later in the period and Ehlers scored again midway through a four-minute power play a few minutes later to tie Laine for the team lead with 19 goals.

"They’ve scored more goals than their ages almost," Jets coach Paul Maurice said.

Laine snapped a seven-game goal drought and Ehlers went eight games without a goal before Tuesday.

"We knew how many goals and how games we had without a goal," Laine said. "Right away when we started to talk about it we both got goals so we should maybe talk about something like that more often."

Winnipeg entered the game with the NHL’s second-ranked power play (25 per cent) and has converted in six straight games.

Eichel set up O’Reilly for a power-play goal in the closing minutes of the second period.

Connor scored his 15th of the season from the slot in the early stages of the third.

After Pominville played the puck off the backboards for a goal, Eichel scored his 17th of the season to make it a two-goal game with 5:07 remaining.

Buffalo’s top defensive prospect Brendan Guhle made his season debut a day after being called up from Rochester, the team’s American Hockey League affiliate. Guhle was promoted with defenceman Victor Antipin sidelined by an illness, and Rochester in the midst of a five-day break.

"We want Brendan to continue playing, so it’s a scenario where it’s probably for a couple of games here and then we’ll have our break," Sabres general manager Jason Botterill said.

"He’s shown some great strides and he’s deserving of this call-up right now. He’s done everything that’s been asked of him at the American Hockey League level."

Guhle was in the box for hooking when the Jets scored their opening goal.

NOTES: Jets RW Patrik Laine recorded his 100th point in his 117th NHL game, becoming the fourth-fastest Finnish-born player to reach the milestone after Teemu Selanne (68 games), (100 games) and Christian Ruuttu (114 games). … Sabres C Jacob Josefson left the game after blocking a shot in the first period and did not return. … Jets D Tyler Myers played in Buffalo for the first time since being traded to Winnipeg in 2015. Myers, the Sabres’ first-round pick in 2008, was injured during the Jets’ previous two visits. … Jets LW Brandon Tanev (lower body) and C Adam Lowry (upper body) both skated Tuesday morning but did not play. … Winnipeg is 7-0 with a 35-9 goal differential when playing a team for the second time in a week’s span this season.

UP NEXT Jets: Visit Chicago on Friday night. Sabres: Host Columbus on Thursday night.

NHL.com https://www.nhl.com/news/winnipeg-jets-buffalo-sabres-game-recap/c-294824376

Ehlers, Connor help Jets send Sabres to fifth loss in row Each gets two goals, Laine scores 100th NHL point in win by Joe Yerdon / NHL.com Correspondent

BUFFALO -- Kyle Connor had two goals and an assist, Nikolaj Ehlers scored twice, and the Winnipeg Jets defeated the Buffalo Sabres 7-4 at KeyBank Center on Tuesday.

Patrik Laine scored his 100th NHL point, and Mathieu Perreault, Jacob Trouba, and Blake Wheeler each had two assists for the Jets (26-11-7) who have won three straight and are 6-0-1 in the past seven games.

Jack Eichel had two goals and an assist, Ryan O'Reilly had a goal and two assists, and Kyle Okposo had three assists for the Sabres (10-24-9), who have lost five straight (0-4-1).

The Jets led 2-1 after the first period on goals from Patrik Laine (6:43 on the power play) and Dustin Byfuglien (15:40) around a goal by Eichel at 14:51. It was Laine's first goal since Dec. 21 (seven games).

"It felt good to score again," Laine said. "It was a huge goal for our team to capitalize on the power play right away. I think overall it was a weird game, a lot of goals, and we allowed a couple goals we shouldn't have, but it was a good win."

Laine reached the milestone in his 117th NHL game. He is the second-fastest player to debut with the Jets/Thrashers franchise to score 100 points, behind Dany Heatley (113 games, debut in 2001-02). Among Finland-born NHL players, Laine is the fourth fastest to 100 points, behind Teemu Selanne (68 games), Jari Kurri (100) and Christian Ruuttu (114).

"Hopefully I can score a couple more," Laine said. "But it's a nice milestone to get and just try to get more."

Ehlers made it 3-1 at 1:26 of the second period after his shot from near the boards in the right face-off circle beat Robin Lehner up high. Ehlers went eight games without a goal, his last coming Dec. 19.

"I got the puck and I wanted to get the puck to the net as quick as possible," Ehlers said. "And it went in."

Chad Johnson replaced Lehner after Ehlers 18th goal of the season. Lehner made 14 saves; Johnson made 16.

"I've got to be better," Lehner said. "I take responsibility for this. We've got to take strides, we've got to do things better as a team here, and I'll look at myself in the mirror first because this wasn't good enough from me today."

Connor's first goal made it 4-1 at 12:49, and Ehlers second goal, on the power play, made it 5-1 at 15:42.

"Give him time and space he's going to put it in the net," Jets forward Blake Wheeler said of Connor. "He made a nice play, guy took [Laine] away, he can make some pretty nice plays in tight. Heck of an effort on that [first] goal."

O'Reilly brought the Sabres within 5-2 at 18:42, but Connor made it 6-2 at 7:08 of the third, his 15th of the season.

Jason Pominville's first goal since Dec. 8 (13 games) made it 6-3 at 8:31 when he banked a shot at the side of the net off Steve Mason and into the net. Mason made 30 saves in his first start since Dec. 23.

Eichel cut the lead to 6-4 at 14:53, but Joel Armia scored into an empty net at 18:55 to make it 7-4.

"We had to battle in the last 20," Jets coach Paul Maurice said. "We turned some pucks over, some things we don't like, but they get full marks for pushing hard in that game and we found a way to win a good road game.

Goal of the game Ehlers goal at 1:26 of the second period.

Save of the game Mason's leg save against Okposo on a breakaway at 6:37 of the second period.

Highlight of the game Connor's goal at 12:49 of the second period.

They said it "It was nice to have the goal support that made it a little easier for me to settle back in a rhythm. After not playing a whole lot it's tough to kind of find your groove, but when you have that kind of goal support it allows you to be a little more calm back there and work your way back in the game." -- Jets goalie Steve Mason

"The thing for me, and it's very evident and I continue to talk about it, is our lack of respect and urgency playing defense. That's not only in the defensive zone, that starts in the offensive zone, sensing possession that's going to be in question, have a total urgency to get back, and we sit and wait at times. We're hoping that somebody's going to make a play and we don't get back and then their 'D' are ahead of us, and that's where it starts." -- Sabres coach Phil Housley

Need to know Winnipeg has scored four or more goals in six of the past seven games, and have scored four or more in their past 13 wins. … Sabres center Jacob Josefson left at 16:32 of the first period with a lower-body injury after he was struck by a shot by Tyler Myers.

What's next Jets: At the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday (8:30 p.m. ET; NBCSCH, TSN3, NHL.TV) Sabres: Host the on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; SN, MSG-B, FS-O, NHL.TV) https://www.nhl.com/news/winnipeg-jets-look-to-improve-road-record/c-294792420

Jets look to improve on road, in OT, shootout Begin three-game trip at Sabres 9-8-6 away from home, including 0-6 past regulation by Tim Campbell @TimNHL / NHL.com Staff Writer

WINNIPEG -- A lot has gone right for the Winnipeg Jets in their jump to the top of the Central Division this season.

The Jets have 57 points (25-11-7), 14 more than they had through 43 games last season.

There are many reasons for their improvement.

Connor Hellebuyck is 23-4-6 with a .923 save percentage after going 26-19-4 with a .907 in 2016-17.

They have found consistent and balanced scoring. Their 143 goals are tied with the New York Islanders for second-most in the NHL, and six players have 12 or more goals.

Their defense has been better. They've allowed 2.70 goals per game, ninth in the League, after finishing 27th last season (3.11).

One area Winnipeg can stand to improve is its road play, which comes into focus this week with a three-game trip that begins against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET; MSG-B, TSN3, NHL.TV). The Jets are 9-8-6 away from Bell MTS Place.

"We know it's something we need to get better at because when we get to the [] Playoffs, it will depend on situations but we might have to win one or two away," forward Nikolaj Ehlers said after practice Monday. "It's something we're working on and something we need to get better at, for sure."

Winnipeg's 16-3-1 home record, including five wins in a row and a run of 16 of 17 games earning at least a point (15-1-1), has taken some of the heat off its inconsistent play on the road.

"It's tough to put a finger on," center Bryan Little said. "You see it a lot around the League, teams having a better home than away record. It's nice to be at home, playing in front of your own fans. I think you get up for those games a bit more.

"The last few years, our home record hasn't been this good, so I think it's just the fact that we're a better team this year and I think we feed off that home crowd."

The Jets are 0-6 on the road in overtime (0-5) and the shootout (0-1); they're 1-1 at home. Their six road losses after regulation are tied with the Sabres and for most in the League.

"Overtime hasn't been our friend this year," Little said. "One mistake and it could go either way. I feel like most of the 3-on-3 games could have gone either way. You trade really good chances for most of it and it's the first team that scores that takes advantage of it. I feel like we've been a bit snakebitten in those games."

Winnipeg's poor record past regulation on the road is a bit of a glass-half-full, glass-half-empty situation. The Jets have seven points for OT and shootout losses through 43 games compared to seven in 82 games in 2016-17, when they finished seven points behind the Nashville Predators for the second wild card into the playoffs from the Western Conference.

"When you can push a game to overtime and get at least a point on the road, it's always good," defenseman said. "As far as overtime goes, it's really one of those things that we've had a lot of chances in those games we've lost in overtime. They could have gone either way. I don't think there's a whole lot we'd change in those overtimes. But it's something where the bounces could go either way."

Winnipeg's most recent overtime loss on the road, 3-2 to the Avalanche on Jan. 2, was a great example of that. Defenseman Dustin Byfuglien hit the post on a breakaway late in overtime, and Colorado defenseman Erik Johnson scored on a breakaway seconds later.

The Jets have 24 points on the road this season, tied with the Anaheim Ducks for fourth-most in the Western Conference behind the St. Louis Blues (25) and the and Predators (28 each).

Morrissey said that's evidence the Jets are holding their own on the road. He also said the Jets have the quickness and skill to do well in overtime.

"You get a chance to see some high-end skill on display," he said. "You often see at the start of overtime when teams are fresh that it's a puck-possession game (and nobody wants to make) that turnover.

"It's amazing, that both teams, if you watch, are feeling each other out, trying to play solid D and keep guys to the outside, and then once there's one chance, there's usually a flurry of three or four back and forth. You try to get the other team tired and then somebody tries to beat someone or somebody falls down or there's an odd-man situation."

The Jets play at the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday and at the Minnesota Wild on Saturday, taking them to 26 road games, which will be the most in the League.

They then have a six-day break (Jan. 14-19), maybe giving them more time to ponder their home-road disparity this season.

"We don't know why, to be honest," Ehlers said. "Or at least I don't know. You go out there every game with the same mindset and the way you're going to play. At home, we've got this incredible support every single time with a sold-out rink and we're used to our ice. So that's the same for everyone. Everyone has their home that they're used to and we're playing really well at home.

"And I think we've played well away from home, but every game in this league is hard and away games are always going to be a little harder."

CBS Sports https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/jets-coach-has-the-perfect-answer-to-sharks-players- hating-on-winnipeg/

Jets coach has the perfect answer to Sharks players hating on Winnipeg Come at Winnipeg and you best not miss

By Pete Blackburn

Over the weekend, NBC Sports California made the mistake of sharing a (since-deleted) tweet that featured several San Jose Sharks players badmouthing the city of Winnipeg. The players cited various reasons -- including darkness, the cold and shabby hotel internet -- why Winnipeg was their least-favorite road destination in the NHL.

Well, it turns out Winnipeg got pretty pissed about those complaints.

Dayna Spiring, president and CEO of Economic Development Winnipeg, broke out some hard- hitting facts in a swift response against those hatin' Sharks players -- Tomas Hertl, Justin Braun and Tim Heed -- and their dumb gripes about the 'Peg.

According to Spiring, Winnipeg is actually "the second most sunny city in Canada with an annual average of 2,353 hours of sunshine," which ranks just below Calgary. She also conceded while, yes, the temperatures are cold, they're also similar to those in other NHL markets and places that produce NHL talent.

Spiring also offered to warm the San Jose players up with a harsh burn after Sunday's game.

"Given that the Jets beat the Sharks 4-1, I can understand that they don't like Winnipeg. It's never fun to lose."

While that feisty response was pretty great, the best response to the whole ordeal came from Jets head coach Paul Maurice, who spoke to reporters about the great "Does Winnipeg Suck?" debate of 2018 on Tuesday.

Maurice found (deadpan) humor in the idea that a hockey player would complain about a hockey city being dark and cold in the winter, but he had a pretty sincere message for those who aren't satisfied with their NHL travel experiences.

"I don't think any coach, any player, trainer, referee should ever complain about a day in the National Hockey League ... We've got nothing to complain about. [It's a] pretty good life. Every day, every city, is a pretty darn good one," said Maurice.

Good on Maurice for having a wise and rational response to this outrageously Canadian issue. Even if Winnipeg is a dark, frozen, internet-less nightmare, I'm sure it's a bit more enjoyable when the Jets are in first place.

Mercury News https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/01/09/winnipeg-jets-coach-to-sharks-players-quit-whining- about-our-city/

Winnipeg Jets coach to Sharks players: Quit whining about our city

By CURTIS PASHELKA

SAN JOSE — Off-the-cuff comments by Sharks players about the city of Winnipeg that were recently made public have created some hurt feelings north of the border and possibly some friction between the Sharks organization and its broadcast partner, NBC Sports California.

In a since-deleted Jan. 7 tweet on a Sharks-dedicated account belonging to NBC Sports California, Sharks players Tomas Hertl, Justin Braun and Tim Heed all mentioned Winnipeg when they were asked by someone from the network what city was the worst in the NHL to play in.

Hertl said, “I think it’s Winnipeg cause every time it’s so cold and dark there. I don’t like there.” Braun said, “Winnipeg. Dark. Cold. Hotel is a little questionable. Internet doesn’t work ever. I don’t know if they have Wi-Fi there yet.”

The comments made national news in Canada, with prominent politicians offering sharp rebukes.

Winnipeg mayor Brian Bowman told the Canadian Press that his city “is a cold dark place — when you lose.” Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister said the tongue-in-cheek comments were “childish and immature.”

The comments were made in September at the team’s annual media day, prior to the start of training camp. They also appeared on the network’s Sunday broadcast of the game between the Sharks and the Jets in Winnipeg.

“It’s disappointing that our broadcast partner would put our players in that position. First of all, by even asking that question, then putting it on our broadcast,” Sharks general manager Doug Wilson told this newspaper on Tuesday. “That was a question that was one of 30 that were asked earlier in the year. To me, it was an inappropriate question that should not have been asked. Whether it was an attempt at humor, it was not appropriate.”

Like our Sharks Facebook page for more San Jose Sharks news, commentary and conversation.

Asked Tuesday about the comments from the Sharks players, Jets coach Paul Maurice had a simple message: Quit whining.

“I didn’t read it, so it’s dangerous to comment on it,” Maurice said when asked about the Sharks’ comments. “I hear it’s cold and dark. That happens in Canada occasionally. Pretty regularly every winter. It’s dark at night. Yeah, that happens pretty much around the world.

“I don’t think any coach, any player, trainer, referee should ever complain about a day in the National Hockey League. We’ve got a sold-out building. Pretty sure that all goes into hockey- related revenues and everybody cashes their check. “The thread count in your hotel isn’t right or your frappuccino isn’t frothed right. I don’t even know what a frappuccino is. But my point being, we’ve got nothing to complain about. Pretty good life.”

Wilson said he called Winnipeg Jets executive Mark Chipman and general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff on Monday to apologize.

“I went to high school in Winnipeg, I played junior hockey in Winnipeg,” Wilson said. “It’s a great city and (the Jets are) a wonderful organization and I’m disappointed that our broadcast partner would put our players or our organization in a position to have to respond to this.”

Asked, though, if the players do have to bear responsibility for what they say to the media, even if it is to a friendlier outlet, Wilson said, “Sure, we all do. But I think the narrative was cobbled together out of what was probably an attempt by our broadcast partner at some humor or whatever. But inappropriate and unacceptable.”

In a statement to this newspaper, NBC Sports California wrote, “We have tremendous respect for all of our partners. We meant no disrespect to the City of Winnipeg or the San Jose Sharks.”

Buffalo News http://buffalonews.com/2018/01/09/the-wraparound-jets-7-sabres-4/

The Wraparound: Jets 7, Sabres 4

By John Vogl

Welcome back. Or not.

The Sabres played their first game in Buffalo in almost three weeks, and it was as if Stephen King scripted the homecoming. There were horror stories all over the ice.

Winnipeg trounced the home team Tuesday, picking up an easy 7-4 victory in KeyBank Center. The Sabres scored two goals late to make the result appear less lopsided.

The Jets sent Sabres starting goaltender Robin Lehner to the bench with 21:26 off the clock, taking a 3-1 lead on their 17th shot. Replacement Chad Johnson didn't fare much better as the Jets danced through the Sabres' zone and scored on point-blank chances.

The Sabres are winless in five straight and fell to 10-24-9 this season. They are 5-16-7 in the last 28 games. Their last regulation win was in their previous home game, a 4-2 victory over Philadelphia on Dec. 22 in KeyBank Center.

Still perfect: The Jets, who earned a 4-3 victory over the Sabres on Friday, played an opponent within a week for the seventh time. They improved to 7-0 in the rematch with a 33-6 scoring edge.

Pouring it on: Winnipeg held a 2-1 lead after one period and scored the opening three goals of the second to expand the lead to 5-1.

Power over penalty: The Jets have the second-ranked power play. Buffalo is third in home penalty killing. The Jets won the opening matchup.

Defenseman Brendan Guhle, making his season debut, went to the box for hooking with 4:47 gone. Patrik Laine scored with four seconds left in the penalty. With Lehner leaning left to peek around a screen, Laine's long shot slipped through on the goaltender's right.

To the top: Jack Eichel scored his 16th and 17th goals of the season, pushing him past Evander Kane for the team lead. Eichel made it 1-1 with 5:09 left in the first and 6-4 with 5:07 remaining.

Eichel has 13 goals and 24 points in his last 26 games.

That was quick: The game was tied for only 49 seconds after Eichel's first goal. Winnipeg defenseman Dustin Byfuglien scored on a slap shot from the point to put the Jets back in front, 2-1. Fans didn't take kindly to the goal, giving Lehner a Bronx cheer when he made his next save.

To the bench: Lehner stoned former Sabres prospect Joel Armia on the doorstep in the opening minute of the second period. It was short-lived success. Nikolaj Ehlers streaked down the left side and fired over Lehner's glove, sending the netminder to the bench with 1:26 gone in the second.

Four more: Winnipeg's Kyle Connor undressed defenseman Jake McCabe and beat Johnson high from close range to make it 4-1. Ehlers scored his second on a power-play rocket to make it 5-1.

Connor was left alone in front during the third period, easily beating Johnson to make it 6-2. Armia scored his seventh of the season into an empty net with 1:05 to play.

Sabres strikes: Ryan O'Reilly scored for the second straight game, making it 5-2. Jason Pominville cut the Jets' lead to 6-3 with his first goal in 14 games.

O'Reilly had a three-point night.

Injured: Sabres center Jacob Josefson blocked a Tyler Myers slap shot late in the first period, and the resulting lower-body injury ended his night.

Scouts galore: Scouts are paid to attend games, but it's worth noting there were representatives from 20 of the NHL's 31 teams in attendance. In addition to Buffalo and Winnipeg, there were scouts or executives from Tampa Bay, Boston, Toronto, Detroit, Montreal, Ottawa, Washington, Columbus, New Jersey, Carolina, the New York Islanders, St. Louis, Nashville, Colorado, Chicago, Los Angeles, Calgary and Vancouver.

Back on the scratch list: Sabres left wing Benoit Pouliot sat for the second time in three games. Pouliot has just two goals and one assist in his last 23 games.

Reappearance: Victor Antipin took part in the Sabres' morning skate, the first time he's been with the team since falling ill Dec. 30. He sat for the ninth straight game, including four games as a healthy scratch.

Defenseman Justin Falk joined Antipin in the press box.

Counting the house: Plenty of empty seats greeted the Sabres, who announced 17,398 tickets sold.

Next: The Sabres host Columbus on Thursday, then they'll scatter for the bye week. Buffalo will be off Friday through next Wednesday. http://buffalonews.com/2018/01/09/housley-lets-sabres-have-it-after-another-bad-loss/

Housley lets Sabres have it after another bad loss

By John Vogl

Phil Housley opened his mouth, and he shot darts instead of words. Each one was a bull's-eye, bluntly striking its target.

The Buffalo Sabres coach aimed at his first. Down they went.

He moved on to the skaters. The sharp points stuck straight in their chest.

After a 7-4 loss to Winnipeg dropped the Sabres to 10-24-9, Housley had clearly seen enough.

"There's a lot of cheat in our game," he said Tuesday in KeyBank Center. "They think that points are more important than playing solid defense, and you can see the results that are coming."

The results are ridiculously bad. Buffalo is on a 0-4-1 skid and has won just five of the last 28 games.

What's worse is the last-place team appears to be regressing. The seven goals allowed were the most this season.

"The thing for me – and it's very evident and I continue to talk about it – is our lack of respect and urgency playing defense," Housley said. "That's not only in the defensive zone. That starts in the offensive zone, sensing possession that's going to be in question, have a total urgency to get back. And we sit and wait at times. We're hoping that somebody's going to make a play.

"We don't get back, and then their D are ahead of us. That's where it starts, and then it gets back into our defensive zone. There's going to be times where you're going to have to sustain some defensive-zone pressure from other teams, but it's just having that urgency to kill a play, to suck it up and play solid defense."

Instead of defense, the Sabres chose to play an offensive style against one of the highest- scoring teams in the NHL.

"They made us pay," center Jack Eichel said.

It didn't help that goalie Robin Lehner had one of his worst outings and Chad Johnson couldn't stop the bleeding. Lehner got caught looking the wrong way around a screen on the opening goal. He never picked up the second, a dagger that came 49 seconds after Eichel made it 1-1.

"We've just got to get some saves at that point," Housley said.

When the Jets fired over Lehner's glove just 1:26 into the third period, he was off to the bench. The Sabres were in a 3-1 hole that soon became 5-1.

"I screw up on the first goal," Lehner said. "That's not goals that I usually let in there. I've got to be better. I've got to be better. It wasn't a great game for me.

"I take responsibility for this."

The goalie took the bullet for this game. There will be plenty to go around if the Sabres don't start showing some semblance of team play.

"We've got to take strides," Lehner said. "We've got to do things better as a team here. I'll look at myself in the mirror first. This wasn't good enough for me today, but we've got to pay more attention to detail in our end. It's starting to go back a little bit. We made strides over a period of time there. In our end, we've just got to be better.

"It's very frustrating. It must be very frustrating for the fans of Buffalo."

Housley bemoaned the Sabres' inability to win for the fans. Buffalo fell to 5-11-3 at home, and it hosts the playoff-ready Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday.

"All four lines, all D and both goalies probably want to get better, myself included," said Eichel.

In addition to help on the ice, the Sabres could use help in the confidence department. The string of losses has hurt as much as the two power-play goals and numerous point-blank chances.

"We had a tough road trip," Eichel said of the past week. "You go 0-3. You get zero points, and you feel like you're playing good hockey for a while before that.

"It's definitely tough."

It won't get easier when the Sabres return to practice Wednesday. Housley plans to put visuals and sweat along with his sharp-tongued words.

"There's some holes that we have to fix," Housley said. "It'll be evident tomorrow when we get back here to work. We're going to learn from it. We're going to show them, and we'll get back on the ice and try to improve that area of our game."

CBC Sports http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/nothing-to-complain-about-winnipeg-jets-sharks- video-1.4479744?cmp=rss

'We got nothing to complain about': Jets coach responds to Sharks' slam Mayor Brian Bowman, Premier Brian Pallister also respond to sassy San Jose Sharks video

By Elisha Dacey

The head coach of the Winnipeg Jets says NHL players have little to complain about after an in- house video released by the San Jose Sharks poked fun at The Peg before Sunday's game.

Paul Maurice shook his head in bewilderment Tuesday when asked what he thought of the video, before responding he hadn't actually watched it.

"I heard [the players said] 'it's cold and dark.' Well, that happens in Canada, occasionally. Regularly, every winter. It's dark at night, yep, that happens around the world." The Sharks released the video on Twitter a few hours before Sunday's game, in which the Jets trounced the San Jose team 4-1. The tweet has since been deleted.

In the video, Sharks sniper Tomas Hertl said he doesn't like the city because "it's so cold and dark there." Defenceman Justin Braun echoed those remarks, adding that the hotel the team stays at is "questionable" and wondering if Winnipeg has Wi-Fi yet.

Tim Heed, another defenceman, also ranked Winnipeg at the bottom of the heap.

While the video was meant to be tongue-in-cheek, some local leaders responded on Monday, and Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman and Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister also waded in on Tuesday.

Pallister jokingly told media he would welcome the Sharks players back and tell them to prepare for another defeat, and Bowman gave instructions for the players on how to connect their devices to the internet.

"I certainly took note of the fact that some were lamenting Winnipeg as a cold, dark place. I know it is a cold, dark place when you lose," said Bowman.

"I certainly wanted to clarify for some of the Sharks players for Wi-Fi. There's a simple setting — if you have an iPhone, you go to the Wi-Fi and you hit 'on,'" he said, demonstrating on his phone. "I would suggest they learn about those settings."

Musician Bif Naked, who spent her formative years in and around Winnipeg, said Winnipeggers are used to trash talk but also called the comments unfair.

She boasted of the city's tough winters: "It puts hair on your chest."

"Certainly it's cold but it makes us tough and we love it," she said.

But it was Maurice who had the final say.

"I don't think any coach, any player, trainer, referee, should ever complain about a day in the National Hockey League," he told media Tuesday afternoon.

"The thread count in your hotel isn't right or your frappuccino isn't frothed right — I don't even know what a frappuccino is — but my point being, we got nothing to complain about. Pretty good life. Every day. Every city is a pretty darn good one."

The Winnipeg Jets are currently first in the NHL's Central Division.

NBC Sports http://nhl.nbcsports.com/2018/01/08/if-january-doesnt-cool-jets-look-out/

If January doesn’t cool Jets, look out

By James O'BrienJan 8, 2018, 2:01 PM EST

For a franchise that’s never won a playoff game, let alone a series, it’s probably wise to be conservative in praising the Winnipeg Jets.

Then again, with a name like the Jets, it also makes sense that this team might rapidly raise its ceiling.

During spans of 2017-18, it looked like the St. Louis Blues and Nashville Predators might cement their respective grips on the top spot in the Central Division. If you look at the standings right now, the Jets currently hold that position; they lead every other division rival by at least two points, with games played being all over the place.

So far, losing Mark Scheifele hasn’t fueled a collapse, either, as they’ve won four of five in his absence. The Blake Wheeler at center experiment is an early success.

It also only seems reasonable to assume that Connor Hellebuyck might start to slip. His .923 save percentage and 23-4-6 record both seem difficult to sustain, yet it gets tougher to label it all a fluke the deeper we get into the season.

Beyond regression, what might trip them up, then?

The quickest answer is their schedule, but here’s the thing: if the rest of January doesn’t provide a major speed bump for this team, then Winnipeg really might have something cooking. Take a look at the remainder of this month:

Tue, Jan 9 @ Buffalo Fri, Jan 12 @ Chicago Sat, Jan 13 @ Minnesota Sat, Jan 20 @ Calgary Sun, Jan 21 vs Vancouver Tue, Jan 23 @ San Jose Thu, Jan 25 @ Anaheim Tue, Jan 30 vs Tampa Bay

Considering their 9-8-6 road record, the Jets are more susceptible to slipping during the next few weeks, what with six of eight games away from home.

One saving grace could be the bye week. As you can see, the four-game road trip is broken up into something more like a three-game road trip and then a back-to-back in Calgary on Jan. 20 and then a home date against the Sharks the next day.

Looking at the rest of the Jets’ schedule, they could very well be among the most vulnerable teams to “streakiness,” as they face long stretches of home games and lengthy road trips. That Jan. 30 game against the Lightning begins a whopping 10-game homestand, for instance.

Winnipeg ranks as one of the most electrifying teams in the NHL, particularly when they’re at full strength. If you’re a fan of their style, you’ll need to root for everyone involved to keep a cool head during those tougher spans, because there could be some bumps in the road.

The Hockey News http://www.thehockeynews.com/news/article/it-won-t-be-cold-and-dark-in-winnipeg-for-their- stanley-cup-parade-in-2019

It won’t be 'cold and dark' in Winnipeg for their Stanley Cup parade in 2019

By: Ken Campbell

Comments from the San Jose Sharks raised the ire of fans in Winnipeg, but the Jets faithful will be the ones getting the last laugh if the team continues to draft, develop and build a winner.

The San Jose Sharks aren’t the only guys in the NHL who hate Winnipeg. Any player we’ve ever heard of with a partial no-trade clause has Winnipeg on his list of destinations to which he’d refuse to go. With no Rocky Mountains to buffer it from the Arctic winds, yeah, it gets cold there. The Jets have been battling this ever since their original days in the NHL and they’ll continue to do so forever.

We say this because in its promo for the San Jose Sharks game against the Jets Sunday afternoon, NBC Sports California went for the lowest-hanging icicle when it asked a couple of players about the worst city in the NHL. And, of course, they picked Winnipeg. Defenseman Justin Braun remarked, “Internet doesn’t work there. I don’t know if they even have Wi-Fi there yet.” Tomas Hertl chimed in with, “It’s so cold and dark there. I don’t like it there.” The spot was promoted by the network on Twitter, but it appears it has since been taken down.

It would be easy to go on the attack against Braun and Hertl for what they said, but in reality, they were probably just being good team guys who thought they would help out the local broadcaster and say something funny that would only be seen in the local market. But maybe what they should have said was, “I hate Winnipeg because the Jets are way better than we are and we frittered away a bunch of years as a Stanley Cup contender by choking in the playoffs while they’re a team on the rise. I also hate Winnipeg because they’re a bunch of points ahead of us and The Hockey News has picked them to win the Stanley Cup in 2019.” Or something like that. The Sharks, an organization that prides itself on its public image, weren't too pleased with the spot. Sharks GM Doug Wilson, who played junior in Winnipeg for one season, apologized to Jets chairman Mark Chipman and GM Kevin Cheveldayoff.

“It’s disappointing that our broadcast partner would put our players in that position," Wilson told the San Jose Mercury on Tuesday. "First of all, by even asking that question, then putting it on our broadcast. That was a question that was one of 30 that were asked earlier in the year. To me, it was an inappropriate question that should not have been asked. Whether it was an attempt at humor, it was not appropriate.”

For the record, the Sharks were in Winnipeg to finish a four-game road trip through Canada and in their two days there, the high temperature topped out a zero degrees Celsius. In Ottawa, where they played the day before, the high was minus-19. In the two days previous to that the high for their visit to Toronto was minus-7 and the best they got was minus-14 for their two days in Montreal. And we’re not even talking about Brent Burns’ plus-minus. Hey-Oh!

The Sharks lost 4-1 to the Jets in that game to drop further behind them in the standings, a game that moved the Jets back into first place in the Central Division, which just happens to be the best division in hockey. The Jets, as an organization, stopped taking umbrage to this kind of stuff a long time ago. And when asked about it, coach Paul Maurice had some really interesting things to say, as only Maurice can say them. It went like this:

“I heard it’s cold and dark. Well, that happens in Canada, occasionally, pretty regularly every winter. It’s dark at night, yeah that happens pretty much around the world. I don’t think any coach, any player, trainer, referee, should ever complain about a day in the National Hockey League. We’ve got a sold-out building, pretty sure that goes into hockey related revenues, everybody cashes their cheque. The thread count at your hotel isn’t right or your frappacino isn’t frothed right – I don’t even know what a frappacino is – but my point being, we’ve got nothing to complain about. A pretty good life, every day. Every city’s a pretty darn good one.”

As we said before, the Jets are always going to have to battle these kinds of things. Their attitude is that because they’re almost never going to get prime unrestricted free agents, it’s up to them to bring players they draft and develop into their organization and make them want to stay there. And there are clear indications they’re beginning to win on that front. Defenseman Dustin Byfuglien, who had no choice when the team relocated from Atlanta, could have signed anywhere in the NHL, but he re-upped for five years when he became an unrestricted free agent in 2016. When Mark Scheifele became a restricted free agent the same summer, he opted to sign a maximum term eight-year deal with the Jets. It will be interesting to see what scoring machine Patrik Laine opts to do when he becomes eligible to sign a long-term extension this summer.

Meanwhile, nobody is talking about Winnipeg as a destination if the possible crown jewel of free agency, , doesn’t re-sign with the Islanders. Although, come to think of it, that would be awesome. Tavares would be part of a team that has a real chance to win a Stanley Cup and the Jets would have a center ice corps of Scheifele, Tavares, Blake Wheeler and Bryan Little. Set aside $84 million and a block heater and make it happen, Jets. And if the Islanders are out of it and in a selling mood at the trade deadline, put in your dibs. Who knows? Perhaps you’ll get him there and convince him to stay.

It’s more likely the Jets will continue on their path of drafting and developing well, which, as we’ve predicted, will lead to a Stanley Cup parade down Portage Avenue in June 2019. And it will be a lot warmer there then.

Deadspin.com https://deadspin.com/the-winnipeg-kerfluffle-has-reached-dangerously-canadia-1821920580

The Winnipeg Kerfluffle Has Reached Dangerously Canadian Levels

By Barry Petchesky

This weekend and into this week, the Prairies were shaken to their very core by three hockey men saying they didn’t really like going to Winnipeg on road trips because it’s dark (it is dark), it’s cold (it is cold), and the hotel wi-fi is substandard (unresolved). The Jets mostly declined official comment on the Sharks’ disparagement of the Gateway to the West, but the CBC did bring out a chamber of commerce-type who dropped some almanac-based truthbombs, pointing out that while Winnipeg is indeed cold, other cities are too.

It’s all been relatively civil—the most extreme act by anyone involved was us having to use our Getty Premium subscription to use the photo of the city skyline in our post. (And because we sprung for it, we’re using it again.) But now here’s Jets head coach Paul Maurice, showing people that if they thought they knew what “civil” was, they hadn’t seen anything yet.

Maurice, a true savage, started off by saying he hasn’t seen the precise comments, so he didn’t want to speak to them from a place of half-ignorance. (Look out, he’s taking no prisoners!) He deadpanned that it does get cold and dark in the winter in Canada at night (Is there anything this man won’t say??) and closed by noting that, hey guys, we’re all pretty lucky to be involved in this here National Hockey League of ours.

“We’ve got nothing to complain about,” Maurice said. “Pretty good life. Every day. Every city’s pretty darn good.” (Is he even allowed to say that????)

In conclusion, Winnipeg has good casinos, Steve Mason will get the start in net tonight against the Sabres, and the airport is really close to downtown. https://deadspin.com/sharks-players-make-the-mistake-of-badmouthing-city-of-1821909110

Sharks Players Make The Mistake Of Badmouthing City Of Winnipeg

By Barry Petchesky

Ahead of the San Jose Sharks’ trip to Winnipeg on Sunday, NBC Sports California tweeted a video that appears to be culled from a larger one asking Sharks players their least favorite road trip destination. Three players—forward Tomas Hertl and defensemen Justin Braun and Tim Heed—picked Winnipeg, and explained why:

Their reasoning was what you’d expect: cold, dark...bad hotel internet. Winnipeg’s a sleepy, relatively isolated small city, and winters are pretty brutal on the prairie—certainly not unique among NHL hosts—but, damn it, only Winnipeggers are allowed to talk shit about Winnipeg.

A Jets spokesperson said the team is aware of the statements, but declined to offer more specific comment. So the CBC talked to Dayna Spiring, president and CEO of Economic Development Winnipeg, and Dayna is here to deliver the facts:

Spiring also noted the Sharks players have their facts wrong. Winnipeg is actually the second most sunny city in Canada with an annual average of 2,353 hours of sunshine, just below Calgary at 2,396.

As for temperatures, Braun’s home city of Minneapolis is much the same as Winnipeg.

Winnipeg’s average temperatures range between –12 C in the winter months to 26 C in summer. Minneapolis has an average of –9.1 C to 23.2 C.

Hertl is from Prague in the Czech Republic, where the temperature range is –3 C to 25 C. And Heed’s home of Gothenburg, Sweden, where winter temperatures average –3 to 3 C and summer temps average around 20 C.

This is an even more brutal fact-based burn than the first-place Jets’ 4-1 home win on Sunday.

The CBC piece’s kicker brings the heat:

And just for the record, Winnipeg does have Wi-Fi.

Sporting News http://www.sportingnews.com/ca/nhl/news/jets-paul-maurice-fires-back-san-jose-sharks-players- weve-got-nothing-to-complain-about-comments-winnipeg-worst-city- nhl/1ftzdvb98xib1q422sxthu14t

Jets' Paul Maurice fires back to Sharks players: 'We've got nothing to complain about'

By Jim Cerny

Paul Maurice delivered a pointed message to the San Jose Sharks players who had negative things to say about the city of Winnipeg last weekend.

Without necessarily singling out those particular players, Maurice stated that everyone who works in the National Hockey League has got it pretty good.

"We've got nothing to complain about, pretty good life. Every day, every city, is a pretty darn good one," Maurice told reporters at the Jets morning skate in Buffalo ahead of Tuesday's game against the Sabres.

"I don't think any coach, any player, trainer, referee should ever complain about a day in the National Hockey League."

Maurice's impassioned response included some trademark sarcasm and humor, as well, after a reporter asked him to comment on what San Jose's Tomas Hertl, Justin Braun and Tim Heed said about Winnipeg in an online video feature before the Jets dropped the Sharks 4-1 at Bell MTS Place on Sunday.

Hertl said Winnipeg was his least favorite NHL city because "it's cold and dark there. I don't like it there."

Braun did not have good things to say about the hotel the team stays at in Winnipeg, adding, "I don't know if they have WiFi there yet."

Woo. Winnipeg. Can’t wait.

The Jets put the silliness behind them Tuesday when, with Steve Mason spelling Connor Hellebuyck and starting in goal, they look to beat the Sabres for the second time in less than a week, trying to follow up Friday's 4-3 home-ice victory over Buffalo.

Sportsnet.ca http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/31-thoughts-rogers-wanted-nhl-trade-deadline-primetime/

31 Thoughts: Rogers wanted NHL trade deadline in primetime

By Elliotte Friedman

10. Don’t have any problem with Dustin Byfuglien telling Winnipeg reporters, “I think I should be out there. I would rather play big minutes than sit there” 24 hours after the Jets beat Buffalo last Friday. For one thing, all great players should want to play. For another, he didn’t do it after the win, but waited until the next day. (I still have my 1979 copy of Sittler at Centre, where he rips players who complain after a victory.)

But this is a story to watch. Byfuglien played 17:53 that night and 18:48 Sunday against San Jose. His 2017–18 average is 23:23. In those games, Tyler Myers went 23:43 and 20:32, Jacob Trouba 21:18 and 22:01. Until the Jets know Trouba’s future, I can’t see them moving Byfuglien, but this road has a lot of potential paths.

TSN.ca https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/video/ehlers-connor-power-jets-past-sabres~1299649 (VIDEO LINK)

Ehlers, Connor power Jets past Sabres

As Jamie McLennan explains, Nik Ehlers and Kyle Connor had it working Tuesday night, as both of them scored twice and have stepped up their game in Mark Scheifele's absence. https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/video/wheeler-thriving-in-the-middle-with-scheifele-out~1299156 (VIDEO LINK)

Wheeler thriving in the middle with Scheifele out

The decision to move Blake Wheeler to centre ice was an easy one for Paul Maurice after Mark Scheifele got injured. Wheeler has continued to thrive despite moving to a different position. Sara Orlesky has more on his seamless transition.

TSN 1290 (AUDIO LINKS) https://www.tsn.ca/radio/winnipeg-1290/lebrun-gms-intrigued-to-see-what-cheveldayoff-will-do- at-the-deadline-1.962464

LeBrun: GMs intrigued to see what Cheveldayoff will do at the deadline

TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun joins Andrew Paterson and Rick Ralph on the Afternoon Ride. They discuss the biggest surprises of the NHL season, the first place Golden Knights and if Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff will look to make some moves at the trade deadline. https://www.tsn.ca/radio/winnipeg-1290/de-leo-trusting-the-process-is-starting-to-pay-off- 1.963540

De Leo: Trusting the process is starting to pay off

Manitoba Moose forward Chase De Leo speaks with Andrew Paterson and Rick Ralph about the Moose's success this season, the upcoming game vs. Grand Rapids, how Pascal Vincent has handled this season, and the play of Michael Hutchinson. https://www.tsn.ca/radio/winnipeg-1290/campbell-competition-has-pushed-hellebuyck-1.962504

Campbell: Competition has pushed Hellebuyck

Tim Campbell of NHL.com joins Andrew Paterson and Rick Ralph on the Afternoon Ride. They discuss the Jets play in the first half of the season, what to expect in the second half, Connor Hellebuyck's improved play, Dustin Byfuglien's ice-time, the competition within the roster, and the disappointing Oilers season. https://www.tsn.ca/radio/winnipeg-1290/mirtle-jets-have-organizational-depth-in-goal-1.962382

Mirtle: Jets have organizational depth in goal

James Mirtle of The Athletic spoke with Andrew Paterson and Rick Ralph on the Afternoon Ride. They discuss the Jets performance based on preseason expectations, the number of teams who were in the playoffs last year who are now on the outside, the number of rookies among the NHL leaders in scoring and the possibility of a second half surge for the Penguins. www.winnipegjets.com https://www.nhl.com/jets/news/connor-ehlers-tally-two-apiece-in-jets-win-over-sabres/c- 294823030

Connor, Ehlers tally two apiece in Jets' win over Sabres Laine records 100th career point; Mason stops 30 in 7-4 victory by Jamie Thomas @JamieThomasTV / WinnipegJets.com

BUFFALO, New York - The Winnipeg Jets didn't care that the Buffalo Sabres were playing their first home game in over three weeks, capitalizing on the suspect goaltending and undisciplined play from their hosts to record their third straight win and sixth in their last seven games with a 7-4 victory at KeyBank Arena on Tuesday night.

Kyle Connor and Nikolaj Ehlers scored twice, while Patrik Laine, Dustin Byfuglien and Joel Armia added singles for the Jets in the victory. Laine became the fourth fastest Finnish-born player to reach 100 career points in his 117th career game. Only Teemu Selanne (68 GP), Jari Kurri (100 GP) and Christian Ruuttu (114 GP) have reached the century mark faster in NHL history.

Blake Wheeler had two assists to extend his point streak to seven games and Steve Mason made 30 saves for his third win of the season. It was Mason's first victory since he made 39 saves in a 2-1 victory Nov. 22 in Los Angeles.

"We did a lot of great things in the first period, the second period was good as well," Wheeler said.

"We did enough to hang on there."

Added Mason: "It was nice to have the goal support. It made it a little bit easier for me to settle back into a rhythm. After not playing a whole lot, it's tough to find your groove, but when you have that kind of goal support, it allows you to be little more calm back there."

Even though the Jets allowed four goals on the night including two late in the third period to make things a bit closer, Head Coach Paul Maurice was happy for his goaltender.

"He made some saves in tonight's game," Maurice said. "At 5-1, he made some saves, so we needed him to play well, but good for him. He did some real good work."

With the win, the Jets improve to 26-11-7 on the year and remain atop the Central Division standings with 59 points.

"We were on the puck and on the man, and that created a lot of loose pucks and jumped on them," Maurice said. "I liked our offensive zone play. I've got a higher opinion of Buffalo probably than all of you do. They've got some high-end skill."

The Sabres took the first penalty of the game when Brendan Guhle hooked Joel Armia at 4:47 and with four seconds left on the power play, Patrik Laine took a wrister that got past Robin Lehner with Kyle Connor providing the screen in front. The goal ended Laine's seven-game goalless drought, giving Winnipeg a 1-0 lead and the Finn his 100th point.

The Sabres tied the game shortly thereafter during a delayed penalty against the Jets. Jack Eichel fired a shot from the half boards and it got past Mason to make it 1-1 at 14:51.

Winnipeg got that goal back just 49 seconds later when Dustin Byfuglien one-timed a Mathieu Perreault pass from the right point and it got past Lehner, who clearly misplayed it. After going 33 games without a goal, the defenceman has scored twice in three games - both of them coming against the Sabres.

Just 1:26 into the second, the Jets chased Lehner after Ehlers unleashed a wrist shot that went over Lehner's glove on the far side to give Winnipeg a 3-1 lead.

Mason preserved that lead with a nice save on a Kyle Okposo breakaway, kicking out his right pad when Okposo went forehand to backhand.

The top line then went to work at 12:49. Wheeler left it outside the blue line for Connor and the rookie skated down the right side before cutting to the net and firing it home, high glove side on Johnson to make it 4-1.

Sabres forward Jordan Nolan lost his cool in front of the Sabres goal and tried to get Marko Dano to fight. Dano did not cooperate, so that led to Nolan getting a double minor for roughing and a 10-minute misconduct. After the first minor penalty had expired, Ehlers took a pass from Tyler Myers and fired a laser that Johnson never saw for Ehlers' second of the night, and the second power-play goal of the evening for the Jets.

Laine and Ehlers now share the team goal scoring lead with 19 each.

"I don't even know how many goals he has right now, but he (Laine) definitely knows," joked Ehlers. "You know we're roommates and we bug each other all the time. Sometimes when he's not doing well, I chirp him and he chirps me. So it's all fun."

Buffalo took advantage of a Toby Enstrom interference penalty with 1:18 left in the second. Eichel sent a perfect cross-crease pass to Ryan O'Reilly and he placed a shot inside the near post upstairs on Mason for his 11th of the year and it was 5-2 after 40 minutes.

The night almost took a rough turn when Wheeler blocked a Nathan Beaulieu shot early in the third period and immediately went to the dressing room. Fortunately, Wheeler came right back and was on the ice for Connor's second of the night. Jacob Trouba threw a shot at the net, but Connor knocked it down in front, spun to the near side and buried it to give the Jets a 6-2 lead.

The captain joked a little when asked about his hand after the game.

"My hands are nice," he said with a chuckle before getting serious. "I can't tell you where it caught me, but a slap shot to the hand doesn't feel great.

"Nothing serious; no problems."

The Sabres weren't going quietly, though, scoring twice in the final 10 minutes to make it a two- goal game late, but Armia rounded out the scoring with an empty net goal at 18:55 to seal a 7-4 victory for the visitors.

The Jets now head to Chicago for a few days where they will play the Blackhawks on Friday at the United Center. https://www.nhl.com/jets/video/postgame--nikolaj-ehlers/t-277437442/c-56558103

POSTGAME | Nikolaj Ehlers

Ehlers on his two-goal performance tonight https://www.nhl.com/jets/video/postgame--steve-mason/t-277437442/c-56558303

POSTGAME | Steve Mason

Steve Mason on the win tonight vs. the Sabres