GDT: Winnipeg Jets vs Florida Panthers

"The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails." - William Arthur Ward

By Andy Rolfe@paddyargybargy Feb 20, 2016, 5:30pm EST

3 goals against in the 1st period is enough to take the wind out of the sails of any hockey team, despite the energy and strong play being present. But when you see two of your top players take shots like what happened to Nikolaj Ehlers, then to Bryan Little, it adds fuel to the fire. The team used this passion and intensity to create what looked like the ultimate revenge, not to drop down to the Lightning's goonish level, but to win the game. They did their best in erasing the deficit by getting pucks to the net and holding the Lightning with strong possession play, and gained a point as the game was ultimately decided in a shootout. Good on 'em! Andrew Ladd and crew had a strong third period and showed character, discipline and strength. Tank? What tank? Matthews who? The Winnipeg Jets now travel south for a contest against the Florida Panthers, who dropped a 2-1 SO decision to the San Jose Sharks Thursday night.

TV:

6 pm CST, FS- F, SN, TSN 1290

Winnipeg Jets Projected Lineup:

Nikolaj Ehlers - Mathieu Perreault - Blake Wheeler

Andrew Ladd - Mark Scheifele - Joel Armia

Drew Stafford - Adam Lowry - Alexander Burmistrov

Anthony Peluso - Andrew Copp - Chris Thorburn

Dustin Byfuglien - Jacob Trouba

Tyler Myers - Toby Enstrom

Ben Chariot - Paul Postma

Ondrej Pavelec

Micheal Hutchinson

*Bryan Little is listed as day to day, so that's good news!

Florida Panthers Projected Lineup:

Jonathan Huberdeau - Nick Bjustad - Jussi Jokinen

Reilly Smith - Vincent Trocheck - Jaromir Jagr

John McFarland - Derek MacKenzie - Logan Shaw

Garrett Wilson - Greg McKegg - Shawn Thornton

Brian Campbell - Alex Petrovic

Dmitry Kulikov - Aaron Ekblad

Steven Kampfer - Brent Regner

Al Montoya

Roberto Luongo

Player to boo, jeer and sneer at:

Jaromir Jagr deserves your cheers, but seeing as he's the opponent, let him have it!

Prediction:

Jets 2-1

Extra! Extra! Read All About It!

CBC has a great article on Paul Maurice's emotional display.

Winnipeg Sun article on the Jets being short on paper and passion.

According to the Jets, Andrew Ladd isn't on the trade block, but Jonathan Drouin is and may be headed our way.

The Hockey Gods at TSN talk about buyers and sellers at the trade deadline, and Andrew Ladd is on their tradebait list.

If you haven't had enough spin regarding Paul Maurice's blowup, here's more from The Hockey News.

For more spin on how Paul Maurice may be the weakest link, see today's Winnipeg Free Press, if you can secure a copy, or navigate their dumb paywall online.

Trouba for Harmonic? How many times have we heard that argument?

And finally, here is the top 10 NHL trade rentals.

Note: I've heard thru Twitterverse that Paul Maurice's favorite referee Francois St. Laurent is scheduled to officiate a game in Winnipeg in the near future...

Paul Maurice's pre-game interview...