As noted in the previous post, with the injury to Mark Scheifele that will keep him out of the line-up for an estimated 6-8 weeks, Winnipeg Jets veterans must step up. That means Patrik Laine must shoot more. Blake Wheeler must crash the net more, Nikolaj Ehlers must possess the puck more, using his speed to create chances; Bryan Little must produce more, and the second and third lines containing Adam Lowry, Mathieu Perreault (who has been moved up to the second line) Matt Hendricks, Joel Armia and Brandon Tanev have to continue to show their depth and support.
The Jets have the depth. That's the good news. They are not, thankfully, a one-trick pony. In fact, not only are the Jets loaded with offense, but so are the their American Hockey League affiliate, Manitoba Moose, who possess first place overall in the AHL. If need be, the Jets can call up jack Roslovic or Mason Appleton, or the under-rated Nic Petan. And there's always the invisible Marko Dano, who has been a healthy scratch for the Jets for 29 consecutive games. Dano is no doubt trade bait.
There's a potential for some valuable points in the next five games, starting tonight against the New York Islanders. The Jets play some teams in that span that are not very good. The Jets play the Buffalo Sabres twice and the Colorado Avalanche once in that time period. The Jets should win all three and take six big points to keep pace, or perhaps surpass Either Nashville or St. Louis in the Central division.
Still though, Scheifele's presence on and off the ice will be tough to overcome, especially come February and the drive for the playoffs intensifies.
