In a game that was supposed to have a Jets victory to complete a wonderful Heritage Classic weekend in Winnipeg, the Edmonton Oilers had different plans and spoiled the celebration weekend with a 3-0 victory on Sunday.
The Jets simply couldn't get anything going and to say the ice didn't tilt their way, is not without litteral contemplation. It didn't seem to bother the Oilers, but it seems to me there was a whole lot of bouncing pucks out there. How many times did the puck jump over Jets sticks at the most inopportune moments?
The Oilers just seemed more hungry, more disciplined and their stars outshone our stars. Patrik Laine was held pointless in a game that he should have been able to display his skills to the world. Not that he didn't already do that in the comeback game against the Maple Leafs, but this was supposed to be Winnipeg's weekend showcase (as indeed it was the actual Heritage Classic game notwithstanding) in general and Laine's in particular.
Not that it was Laine's fault. He can't win every game by himself. The Jets do have some skill in their arsenal as well. Names like Wheeler, Byfuglien, Scheifele, Ehlers and Connor. The goal lamp shouldn't have gone cold behind Oilers goalie Cam Talbot. But none of the boys on this night could solve Talbot. Again, the erant passes and so many giveaways is what really did the Jets in, but to have so many little chances, not shots on goal, but chances with the skill on the ice is something I am still scratching my head over.
