Nikolaj Ehlers admits to finding 'bulletin board material' ahead of Winnipeg Jets' playoff sojourn

Winnipeg Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers has openly admitted that he and his teammates are using criticism from others as motivation heading into the playoffs.

Specifically, he pointed to an anonymous quote given to hockey analyst Ryan Whitney in which the Jets were referred to as "Jets are frauds."

Winnipeg reporter John Lu broke the news on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), revealing that Nehlers and his teammates are using the disparaging remark as fuel for their postseason fire.

“#NHLJets Nikolai Ehlers confirms he and his teammates are using the “Jets are frauds” comment by an anonymous source of Ryan Whitney’s as bulletin board material for the playoffs, over and above their own motivation.”

The inflammatory quote suggested that the Jets are not legitimate Stanley Cup contenders despite finishing second in the Central Division.

The Jets are set to face off against the Colorado Avalanche in the first NHL playoff round at the Canada Life Centre on Sunday night.

Nikolaj Ehlers's Winnipeg Jets vs Colorado Avalanche: Game Preview

The Winnipeg Jets come into this matchup with a 52-24-6 record after defeating the Vancouver Canucks 4-2 in their last game. They currently lead the Central Division.

Mark Scheifele leads the Jets in scoring with 72 points (25 goals, 47 assists), while Josh Morrissey has 69 points (10 goals, 59 assists). Nikolaj Ehlers has also been a key player, with 25 goals and 36 assists for 61 points.

The Jets averaged 3.16 goals scored while allowing just 2.42 goals per game. Their power play clicks at 18.8% and their penalty kill is successful 77.1% of the time.

Starting goaltender Connor Hellebuyck has gone 37-19-4 this season with a .921 save percentage and 2.39 goals against average. The Jets will be missing Morgan Barron due to a lower-body injury.

Meanwhile, the Avalanche come into this game with a 50-25-7 record after beating the Edmonton Oilers 5-1 in their last regular-season game.

The Avs have been led this season by Nathan MacKinnon, who has tallied 140 points on 51 goals and 89 assists. Mikko Rantanen has also been a major contributor with 104 points (42 goals, 62 assists).

The Avalanche averaged 3.68 goals scored per game while allowing 3.07 goals against per game. Their power play operates at 24.5% efficiency and their penalty kill is successful 79.9% of the time.

Starting goaltender Alexander Georgiev comes into this game with a 38-18-5 record, a .897 save percentage and a 3.02 goals-against average. Due to injury, the Avalanche will be without several key players, including Gabriel Landeskog, Samuel Girard and Logan O’Connor.

The Jets come into this home game as -111 favorites on the moneyline over the -108 underdog Avalanche. The implied probability of a Colorado win is 53.1%, according to the odds.

The game can be seen on ESPN2 and Altitude Sports.