After the All-Star break, and after their league-mandatory five-game time off, the Winnipeg Jets were back at it, defending their first-place slot in the Central division against the NHL-leading Tampa Bay Lightning.
Without the services of defenceman Jacob Trouba, who suffered an ankle injury January 25 against the San Jose Sharks and will be out 6-8 weeks, the Jets defeated the Lightning this evening 3-1. Micheal Hutchinson made his 2017-2018 season debut since being called up from the Manitoba Moose. Adam Lowry returned from his injury and was an immediate factor, playing smart and tough defensively.
Patrick Laine notched his 22nd of the season, and Kyle Connor scored his 16th. With just under six minutes remaining in the third, Bryan Little came up big with his 11th of the season to give the Jets a two-goal comfort zone and Hutch did the rest.
With the win of the St. Louis Blues and the loss of Nashville last night, the Jets remain on top of the Central division, with their 30th win of the season, leading both teams by three points with a record of 30-13-8, good enough for 68 points thus far.
Tuesday, January 30, 2018
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
Jets Win First Overtime Game, Outlast Sharks
Before this evening's contest, the Winnipeg Jets were lousy 0-6 in overtime. They have three shouts to their credit, but no OT goals to speak of. They still have a lousy overtime record, but at least they were finally able to nab one. After a close, entertaining, high-scoring 60 minutes, the Jets were able to finally end it at 18 seconds of the extra period when Bryan Little finished off a Dustin Byfuglien wrap-a-round attempt, giving the Jets a 5-4 victory.
The Jets built up a 3-0 lead in the first period on goals from Mathieu Perreault (15) Joel Armia (8) and Bryan Little (9) until the Sharks Joe Pavelski scored late in the period.
The Sharks then got down to business and put a scare into the Jets by scoring five minutes apart to tie it up.
It looked as though the Jets may have taken control late, as Joel Armia scored on a broken play on a two-on-one rush with Brandon Tanev. Armia got his own errand pass come back to him in the blue paint, and he put his 9th, and second of the game, behind Aaron Dell.
But with 14:40 left in regulation, Timo Meier scored for the Sharks and forced the proceedings into overtime.
Just like Perreault scored 18 seconds into the games, Little ended it 18 seconds into overtime for, as stated, the Jets first overtime victory of the season. Winnipeg now stands at 4-7 in extra time. One for six in overtime, two for three in the shoot-out.
Overall, the Jets still hang on to first in the Central division, two points ahead of Nashville, four ahead of St. Louis with a record of 29-13-7 for 65 points.
The Jets built up a 3-0 lead in the first period on goals from Mathieu Perreault (15) Joel Armia (8) and Bryan Little (9) until the Sharks Joe Pavelski scored late in the period.
The Sharks then got down to business and put a scare into the Jets by scoring five minutes apart to tie it up.
It looked as though the Jets may have taken control late, as Joel Armia scored on a broken play on a two-on-one rush with Brandon Tanev. Armia got his own errand pass come back to him in the blue paint, and he put his 9th, and second of the game, behind Aaron Dell.
But with 14:40 left in regulation, Timo Meier scored for the Sharks and forced the proceedings into overtime.
Just like Perreault scored 18 seconds into the games, Little ended it 18 seconds into overtime for, as stated, the Jets first overtime victory of the season. Winnipeg now stands at 4-7 in extra time. One for six in overtime, two for three in the shoot-out.
Overall, the Jets still hang on to first in the Central division, two points ahead of Nashville, four ahead of St. Louis with a record of 29-13-7 for 65 points.
Monday, January 22, 2018
Hellebuyck, Jets Shutout Canucks
Other than padding their numbers at Bell MTS Place, such as, you know, wins; the Winnipeg Jets played probably their dullest game this year. Not just because of one goal scored by both teams, but because the action was slowed. More than average stoppages in play, neutral-zone turnovers, battles along the wall...just...boring. That's not to say there's wasn't any excitement, as Blake Wheeler and Patrick Laine did their thing to entertain, but it just wasn't...great.
Mind you it's all about the two points, so, la dee da.
Patrick Laine got the only goal of the game, scoring his 21st on an assist from Wheeler, that was Wheeler's 40th assist of the season.
Connor Hellebuyck earned his 25th win and fourth shutout of the season.
The Jets remain one point ahead of the Nashville Predators for first place in the NHL's Central division.
Mind you it's all about the two points, so, la dee da.
Patrick Laine got the only goal of the game, scoring his 21st on an assist from Wheeler, that was Wheeler's 40th assist of the season.
Connor Hellebuyck earned his 25th win and fourth shutout of the season.
The Jets remain one point ahead of the Nashville Predators for first place in the NHL's Central division.
Saturday, January 20, 2018
Jets Climb Back Into First In Central With Win Over Flames
Coming out of their mandatory five-game bye-week instilled by the NHL owners, as part of the last rounds of collective bargaining negotiations, the Winnipeg Jets faced the white-hot Calgary Flames, who had won eight straight coming into this one.
Facing Johnny Gaudreau and a streaking Mike Smith in the Flames net, the Jets out-shot and out-chanced the Flames on route to a 2-1 shootout victory. The Flames had seemingly scored a late third-period goal, but it was disallowed due to goaltender interference.
After T.J. Brodie had opened the scoring in the first period for the Flames, and Mathieu Perreault scored for the Jets in the second; period three and overtime solved nothing, so the teams went into the shootout where both Bryan Little and Blake Wheeler beat Smith for the win.
It is only the second victory after regulation time for the Jets, as they are 0-6 in overtime and 2-1 in the shootout.
With the win, the Jets return to the top of the Central division at least for the time being, as the Nashville Predators are just one point behind Winnipeg. The St. Louis Blues are also right there in third, just two points behind the Jets.
Teams like Colorado and Dallas are slowly creeping up the division standings, as the Wild Card race tightens up.
The Jets now sport a record of 27-13-7 for 61 points. They sit second in the Western Conference and third in the NHL, behind only the Vegas Golden Knights and Tampa Bay Lightning.
NOTE: For only the second time was there no option to "share" or embed the game hi-lights. Sorry about that.
LINK
Facing Johnny Gaudreau and a streaking Mike Smith in the Flames net, the Jets out-shot and out-chanced the Flames on route to a 2-1 shootout victory. The Flames had seemingly scored a late third-period goal, but it was disallowed due to goaltender interference.
After T.J. Brodie had opened the scoring in the first period for the Flames, and Mathieu Perreault scored for the Jets in the second; period three and overtime solved nothing, so the teams went into the shootout where both Bryan Little and Blake Wheeler beat Smith for the win.
It is only the second victory after regulation time for the Jets, as they are 0-6 in overtime and 2-1 in the shootout.
With the win, the Jets return to the top of the Central division at least for the time being, as the Nashville Predators are just one point behind Winnipeg. The St. Louis Blues are also right there in third, just two points behind the Jets.
Teams like Colorado and Dallas are slowly creeping up the division standings, as the Wild Card race tightens up.
The Jets now sport a record of 27-13-7 for 61 points. They sit second in the Western Conference and third in the NHL, behind only the Vegas Golden Knights and Tampa Bay Lightning.
NOTE: For only the second time was there no option to "share" or embed the game hi-lights. Sorry about that.
LINK
Friday, January 19, 2018
Mason Out With Concussion; Tanev Activated Off Of IR
Winnipeg Jets head coach Paul Maurice has confirmed that goaltender, Steve Mason has been placed on injured reserve, as he has been diagnosed with another concussion. It's Mason's second concussion this season.
At the same time, the Jets have activated forward Brandon Tanev off of the injury reserve list.
Michael Hutchinson has been re-called from the Manitoba Moose of the AHL.
At the same time, the Jets have activated forward Brandon Tanev off of the injury reserve list.
Michael Hutchinson has been re-called from the Manitoba Moose of the AHL.
Wednesday, January 10, 2018
Wheeler, Hellebuyck Named to All-Star Game
The Winnipeg Jets will have two representatives at the 2017 NHL All-Star game. Captain Blake Wheeler (14-52-68 pts) and goaltender, Connor Hellebuyck (23-4-6 2.36 GAA) Wheeler, although deserves a spot on the All-Star roster in his own right, is the replacement for Mark Scheifele, who is lost until early March at best, with a shoulder injury. If The Chef were able to play, again, Wheeler should be there anyway.
Hellebuyck is a no-brainer for the Jets. If he was the only selection, it would be the right one. Wheeler, Scheifele, Nikolaj Ehlers and Patrik Laine all deserve a spot, but without Connor Hellebuyck's play during this 2017-2018 campaign, the Jets are most likely not in a divisional race, and most certainly not in first place. He has single-handedly stolen points for the Jets this season, even when, nay, especially when his teammates have been less than spectacular in front of him. His average goal allowance is still just over two goals a game.
Blake Wheeler is also a no-brainer. His goal total may be under his average output at this stage in the season, but he is in the top two in the assists category with 38, trailing only the Philadelphia Flyers Jacub Voracek with 43. However, he is tied in this department with the Flyers Claude Giroux and the New York Islanders, Josh Bailey.
But more than his obvious skills on the ice, Wheeler's off-ice leadership is where it's at. In one word, it is priceless. He leads as leaders should. He stands up to take responsibility when things go south and spreads the credit around when things are on a high. One moment in particular encapsulates this. Last season, Patrik Laine's rookie year, Laine scored into his own net in a game versus the Edmonton Oilers. Wheeler immediately comforted a totally dejected Laine, and Laine himself the next day was quoted as saying, "Shit happens."
He moved on from a mistake that cost the Jets the game, and went on being the next Alexander Ovechkin. Wheeler's leadership and confidence in his rookie teammate was the reason.
The last time a NHL team sent more than one Winnipeg Jet to the All-Star game was back in 1993 when the Jets sent Teemu Selanne and Randy Carlyle.
It would have been nice to see Scheifele show his wares in front of the rest of the league, though.
Blake Wheeler
Connor Hellebuyck
Hellebuyck is a no-brainer for the Jets. If he was the only selection, it would be the right one. Wheeler, Scheifele, Nikolaj Ehlers and Patrik Laine all deserve a spot, but without Connor Hellebuyck's play during this 2017-2018 campaign, the Jets are most likely not in a divisional race, and most certainly not in first place. He has single-handedly stolen points for the Jets this season, even when, nay, especially when his teammates have been less than spectacular in front of him. His average goal allowance is still just over two goals a game.
Blake Wheeler is also a no-brainer. His goal total may be under his average output at this stage in the season, but he is in the top two in the assists category with 38, trailing only the Philadelphia Flyers Jacub Voracek with 43. However, he is tied in this department with the Flyers Claude Giroux and the New York Islanders, Josh Bailey.
But more than his obvious skills on the ice, Wheeler's off-ice leadership is where it's at. In one word, it is priceless. He leads as leaders should. He stands up to take responsibility when things go south and spreads the credit around when things are on a high. One moment in particular encapsulates this. Last season, Patrik Laine's rookie year, Laine scored into his own net in a game versus the Edmonton Oilers. Wheeler immediately comforted a totally dejected Laine, and Laine himself the next day was quoted as saying, "Shit happens."
He moved on from a mistake that cost the Jets the game, and went on being the next Alexander Ovechkin. Wheeler's leadership and confidence in his rookie teammate was the reason.
The last time a NHL team sent more than one Winnipeg Jet to the All-Star game was back in 1993 when the Jets sent Teemu Selanne and Randy Carlyle.
It would have been nice to see Scheifele show his wares in front of the rest of the league, though.
Blake Wheeler
Connor Hellebuyck
Jets Run Sabres Through
In what seemed like a game in where the Winnipeg Jets could score at will after wetting their pallets with yet another contest in which they scored at least seven goals, they still allowed four goals against, although starter Steve Mason made some brilliant saves early on, including a short-handed breakaway by the Sabres.
Patrik Laine opened the scoring with his 19th of the season on a sweet Laine-only-fashioned wrist shot that found its way to the bottom stick side of starter Robin Lehner on the power-play.
Dustin Byfuglien scored his second goal on a floater from the blue-line.
Kyle Connor scored twice, his 14th and 15th; once in the second and the other in the third. Nikolaj Ehlers also scored twice, including a laser of a top corner snipe. Both in the second period. His 18th and 19th of the season to tie Laine for the team goal-scoring lead. After that, Lehner was replaced with Chad Johnson, who fared a little better, but not much, letting in the next four goals.
Joel Armia rounded out the scoring for the Jets, with his 7th into an empty net.
Mason earned the victory with 30 saves, including a beautiful right pad save on Kyle Okposo when he broke in on a partial breakaway.
The final tally for the Jets was to be expected. They are a first-lace team and the Buffalo Sabres are at the bottom of the NHL standings. It should be that way when the team you are playing is 30 points behind you.
The Jets now sport a record of 26-11-7. Good for 59 points as they continue to hang on to first place in the Central division, and third overall in the league.
Unfortunately, I couldn't find a way to embed the highlights for this game. So...a link instead it is.
Patrik Laine opened the scoring with his 19th of the season on a sweet Laine-only-fashioned wrist shot that found its way to the bottom stick side of starter Robin Lehner on the power-play.
Dustin Byfuglien scored his second goal on a floater from the blue-line.
Kyle Connor scored twice, his 14th and 15th; once in the second and the other in the third. Nikolaj Ehlers also scored twice, including a laser of a top corner snipe. Both in the second period. His 18th and 19th of the season to tie Laine for the team goal-scoring lead. After that, Lehner was replaced with Chad Johnson, who fared a little better, but not much, letting in the next four goals.
Joel Armia rounded out the scoring for the Jets, with his 7th into an empty net.
Mason earned the victory with 30 saves, including a beautiful right pad save on Kyle Okposo when he broke in on a partial breakaway.
The final tally for the Jets was to be expected. They are a first-lace team and the Buffalo Sabres are at the bottom of the NHL standings. It should be that way when the team you are playing is 30 points behind you.
The Jets now sport a record of 26-11-7. Good for 59 points as they continue to hang on to first place in the Central division, and third overall in the league.
Unfortunately, I couldn't find a way to embed the highlights for this game. So...a link instead it is.
Tuesday, January 9, 2018
So, The Sharks Don't Like Winnipeg
Aw, boo-hoo.
A number of San Jose Sharks were asked prior to the game against the Winnipeg Jets what was their least favourite city to play in was, and some whined about winter in Winnipeg being cold and dark. Cold and dark in Winnipeg, in Canada, during the winter? The devil you say!
I guess being pampered in southern California will make whiners out of professional athletes. Not that most of them, in all sports, aren't pampered little whiners with their millions of dollars to do what they love. Poor babies.
Coach Paul Maurice answered cool and collectively on behalf of, I think, all Canadian hockey fans.
Personally, losing to a better team might have the baby Sharks a little on the defensive these days. So agrees The Hockey News Ken Campbell.
“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. “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.” |
Sunday, January 7, 2018
Jets Best Sharks, Extend Central Division Lead
The Winnipeg Jets extended their slight lead over both the Nashville Predators and St. Louis Blues for first place in the Central division by defeating the San Jose Sharks this afternoon 4-1 at Bell MTS Place.
Mathieu Perreault scored twice, including an empty-netter, and a power-play goal for his 11th and 12th goals of the season.
Marko Dano scored on assists from Jacob Trouba and Andrew Copp. That's two goals for Dano in four games after sitting out 30 consecutive contests as a healthy scratch. Coach Paul Maurice may want to consider using him a bit more.
Matt Hendricks opened the scoring with his 4th of the season on an assist from Joel Armia and Copp, his second point of the game.
The Jets pretty much carried the play in this one, save for a two-minute time period when the Jets couldn't clear their zone, as the Sharks maintained possession brilliantly.
Connor Hellebuyck made 31 saves for the win, improving his record to 22-4-6. The Jets improved to 25-11-7 and sit a top the NHL's Central division with 57 points. They have one of the best home records in the league, tied with the Tampa Bay Lightning at 16-3-1 and behind only the Washington Capitals with a record of 17-5-0.
Mathieu Perreault scored twice, including an empty-netter, and a power-play goal for his 11th and 12th goals of the season.
Marko Dano scored on assists from Jacob Trouba and Andrew Copp. That's two goals for Dano in four games after sitting out 30 consecutive contests as a healthy scratch. Coach Paul Maurice may want to consider using him a bit more.
Matt Hendricks opened the scoring with his 4th of the season on an assist from Joel Armia and Copp, his second point of the game.
The Jets pretty much carried the play in this one, save for a two-minute time period when the Jets couldn't clear their zone, as the Sharks maintained possession brilliantly.
Connor Hellebuyck made 31 saves for the win, improving his record to 22-4-6. The Jets improved to 25-11-7 and sit a top the NHL's Central division with 57 points. They have one of the best home records in the league, tied with the Tampa Bay Lightning at 16-3-1 and behind only the Washington Capitals with a record of 17-5-0.
Friday, January 5, 2018
Jets Reclaim First In Central With Win Over Sabres
The Winnipeg Jets made the game closer for themselves than they had to, but they managed to stave off the Buffalo Sabres 4-3 at the Bell MTS Centre tonight.
Opening the scoring was Dustin Byfuglien, with his first goal of the season, on the power-play. After the Sabres tied it up about two minutes later, Jacob Trouba re-gained the lead with his third. Rounding out the scoring for Winnipeg was Blake Wheeler on the power-play with his 14th, and Bryan Little with the eventual game winner in the third period, with his 8th.
Connor Hellebuyck got his 22nd win, making 26 saves, and the Jets penalty-kill was firing on all cylinders, as the Sabres went 0-5 on the power-play.
Opening the scoring was Dustin Byfuglien, with his first goal of the season, on the power-play. After the Sabres tied it up about two minutes later, Jacob Trouba re-gained the lead with his third. Rounding out the scoring for Winnipeg was Blake Wheeler on the power-play with his 14th, and Bryan Little with the eventual game winner in the third period, with his 8th.
Connor Hellebuyck got his 22nd win, making 26 saves, and the Jets penalty-kill was firing on all cylinders, as the Sabres went 0-5 on the power-play.
Jets Embarrassed By Avalanche: Go 0-6 IN OT For The Season
Another overtime game for the Winnipeg Jets, another overtime loss. After visiting the "Mile-High City" for the second time this season, the Jets came up short yet again in OT, the sixth time the Jets have done so. They are 0-6 in the extra frame. 1-8 if you add the two games that ended in a shootout this season. The Avs are personally responsible for two of the Jets OT woes. This one with 9.9 seconds left in the OT period. The Jets lost 3-2.
The Avalanche are not quite as bad as they were at the season's start, but they still don't (or rather shouldn't) be beating the Jets twice like this. If it wasn't for Blake Wheeler crashing the net and tying things up with 32 seconds left in regulation, the single point that now separates second from third in the Central division would not have manifested itself.
The captain was the only Jet to score on this night. It was his first multiple-goal game since his hat-trick against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Oct. 29th. It was his 12th and 13th goals of the season.
The Avalanche are not quite as bad as they were at the season's start, but they still don't (or rather shouldn't) be beating the Jets twice like this. If it wasn't for Blake Wheeler crashing the net and tying things up with 32 seconds left in regulation, the single point that now separates second from third in the Central division would not have manifested itself.
The captain was the only Jet to score on this night. It was his first multiple-goal game since his hat-trick against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Oct. 29th. It was his 12th and 13th goals of the season.
Sunday, December 31, 2017
Jets Blank Oilers
Connor Hellebuyck made 35 saves as he and his Winnipeg Jets teammates blanked the historically hated Edmonton Oilers, 5-0 at the Rexall Centre.
The Jets opened the scoring at 2:34 of the first period, and much like Shawn Matthias, who scored in his first game after being a healthy scratch for the 20 previous games, Marko Dano, making his season debut, had been a healthy scratch for the previous 30 before notching his first of the season.
Scoring for the Jets were: Scorers: Dano (1), Blake Wheeler (11) Kyle Connor (13) (PPG) Bryan Little (7) and Mathieu Perreault (10)
Connor Hellebuyck made 35 saves for the shutout; Hellebuyck's 4th of the season and 17th of his NHL career.
The Jets opened the scoring at 2:34 of the first period, and much like Shawn Matthias, who scored in his first game after being a healthy scratch for the 20 previous games, Marko Dano, making his season debut, had been a healthy scratch for the previous 30 before notching his first of the season.
Scoring for the Jets were: Scorers: Dano (1), Blake Wheeler (11) Kyle Connor (13) (PPG) Bryan Little (7) and Mathieu Perreault (10)
Connor Hellebuyck made 35 saves for the shutout; Hellebuyck's 4th of the season and 17th of his NHL career.
Saturday, December 30, 2017
Tanev Out Week To Week
Forward Brandon Tanev will miss some action as he has been listed week-to-week with a lower body injury sustained in the game versus the New York Islanders on Friday night.
In his absence, the Jets have re-called Jack Roslovic from the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League.
Jets Avenge Earlier Loss To Islanders, Win 4-2
On Dec. 23, the Winnipeg Jets paid a visit to Brooklyn, New York to face the islanders, in a game the Jets barely got their skate laces tied up and it was 2-0 Iles. The Jets performance over that afternoon game didn't improve. Th Jets left Long Island on the losing end of a 5-2 drubbing.
Last night's game against those same Islanders was a vast improvement. The Jets dominant speed made the difference in this one, with the Jets exacting some revenge for themselves, winning 4-2.
Although the Jets went only one-for-four on the power-play, they received contributions from where they were supposed to after Mark Scheifele went down with shoulder injury Wednesday night against Edmonton.
Shawn Matthias opened the scoring for the Jets two and a half minutes into the game with his first of the season on the power-play.
Captain Blake Wheeler then scored his 10th of the season from Kyle Connor and Patrick Laine.
The only scoring in the second period was had by the Islanders' Anders Lee, making it 2-1. Lee would add the Isles only other goal of the game late in the third.
Three minutes into the third period, Connor scored his 12th, with an assist from Laine. Nine minutes later, Adam Lowry got his 8th from Jacob Trouba and Blake Wheeler.
Wheeler, Laine and Lowry would all have a three-point night.
The win gives the Jets a record of 22-11-6 for 50 points and sole possession of first place in the Central division once again, for the time being, over both the St. Louis Blues and the Nashville Predators, who both lost their respective games last night.
Last night's game against those same Islanders was a vast improvement. The Jets dominant speed made the difference in this one, with the Jets exacting some revenge for themselves, winning 4-2.
Although the Jets went only one-for-four on the power-play, they received contributions from where they were supposed to after Mark Scheifele went down with shoulder injury Wednesday night against Edmonton.
Shawn Matthias opened the scoring for the Jets two and a half minutes into the game with his first of the season on the power-play.
Captain Blake Wheeler then scored his 10th of the season from Kyle Connor and Patrick Laine.
The only scoring in the second period was had by the Islanders' Anders Lee, making it 2-1. Lee would add the Isles only other goal of the game late in the third.
Three minutes into the third period, Connor scored his 12th, with an assist from Laine. Nine minutes later, Adam Lowry got his 8th from Jacob Trouba and Blake Wheeler.
Wheeler, Laine and Lowry would all have a three-point night.
The win gives the Jets a record of 22-11-6 for 50 points and sole possession of first place in the Central division once again, for the time being, over both the St. Louis Blues and the Nashville Predators, who both lost their respective games last night.
Friday, December 29, 2017
In Scheifele's Absence, Jets Veterans Must Step up
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.
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.
Scheifele Out 6-8 Weeks With Upper Body Injury
This one is going to hurt. Winnipeg Jets center, and a key cog in the Jets offense, will be out of the line-up 6-8 weeks with a shoulder injury. Scheifele fell awkwardly into the boards on a innocent looking play by Edmonton Oilers defenseman, Brandon Davidson.Seeing the play, and confirmed by the replays, Scheiefele simply, and unfortunately just land wrong.
This is going to take a big lift by the rest of the team to make up for not only Scheiefele's on-ice production, but his locker-room leadership as well. The alternate captain is reported to be a champion of spirits behind closed doors, and is said to be "irreplaceable" by his Jets teammates.
Players like Blake Wheeler, Patrick Laine, Bryan Little, Nikolaj Ehlers and Mathieau Perreault will have to step up to try and make up some of The Chef's production. And unless Laine or Ehlers, or anyone else goes on a tear in the next few weeks, you may expect the Jets to take a slight tumble down the standings. They won't totally crap the bed, they're too decent for that to happen, but a slide to the wild spot isn't out of the question in the tight, tough Central division, where points are paramount.
Jets Out Duel Oilers, Lose Scheifele
The Winnipeg Jets avoided a three-game losing streak, as well as keeping pace with both the St. Louis Blues and Nashville Predators, by defeating the Edmonton Oilers, 4-3 at the Bell MTS Centre.
The bad news is, the Jets lost the "irreplaceable" Mark Scheifele for the next six to eight weeks with a shoulder injury.
That is not good. That is a very significant loss to their line-up.
Bryan Little made franchise history by becoming the Winnipeg Jets/Atlanta Thrashers all-time games played leader with 710 games played, surpassing Chris Thorburn, who was left unprotected by the Jets during last summer's NHL expansion draft, stocking the cubbard Golden Knights.
The Oilers opened the scoring on a two-man, short-handed breakaway, when Connor McDavid dished a nice unselfish pass to Leon Draisaitl that got over the outstretched pad of Connor Hellebuyck.
Joel Armia scored twice for his fifth and sixth of the year; his second coming on a breakaway due to a beautiful read right from the face-off in the Jets end, when he stole the puck at the blue-line and raced in to beat Cam Talbot low, glove side.
But this victory was seemingly forgotten by the injury of Scheifele, who fell awkwardly into the boards after being checked by Oilers defenseman, Brandon Davidson. Scheifele left the game 7:37 into the second period and is yet to be evaluated by doctors outside of the team's own physician. As of now, it is being described as a "significant upper-body injury."
Also scoring for the Jets were Kyle Connor with his 11th, on a nice goal-mouth dish from Blake Wheeler and Little, accentuating his record-setting night. It was Little's sixth of the season.
The bad news is, the Jets lost the "irreplaceable" Mark Scheifele for the next six to eight weeks with a shoulder injury.
That is not good. That is a very significant loss to their line-up.
Bryan Little made franchise history by becoming the Winnipeg Jets/Atlanta Thrashers all-time games played leader with 710 games played, surpassing Chris Thorburn, who was left unprotected by the Jets during last summer's NHL expansion draft, stocking the cubbard Golden Knights.
The Oilers opened the scoring on a two-man, short-handed breakaway, when Connor McDavid dished a nice unselfish pass to Leon Draisaitl that got over the outstretched pad of Connor Hellebuyck.
Joel Armia scored twice for his fifth and sixth of the year; his second coming on a breakaway due to a beautiful read right from the face-off in the Jets end, when he stole the puck at the blue-line and raced in to beat Cam Talbot low, glove side.
But this victory was seemingly forgotten by the injury of Scheifele, who fell awkwardly into the boards after being checked by Oilers defenseman, Brandon Davidson. Scheifele left the game 7:37 into the second period and is yet to be evaluated by doctors outside of the team's own physician. As of now, it is being described as a "significant upper-body injury."
Also scoring for the Jets were Kyle Connor with his 11th, on a nice goal-mouth dish from Blake Wheeler and Little, accentuating his record-setting night. It was Little's sixth of the season.
Sunday, December 24, 2017
Losses To Bruins And Iles Cost Jets Top Of Central
With a shoot-out loss to the Boston Bruins and a regulation loss to the New York Islanders, four valuable points were lost that kept the Winnipeg Jets from positioning themselves atop the NHL's Central division.
The Jets played well in Boston, however a hot Tuukka Rask stifled the Jets all night long. Connor Hellebuyck mirrored his counterpart till the very end, only Helle couldn't stop Bruins rookie, Charlie McAvoy in the shootout and the Jets left the TD Garden with one point. Disappointing, given the the Jets played well enough to win, but came up just short in the 2-1 shootout loss.
Patrick Laine scored his team-leading 18th goal.
The game against the Islanders, on the other hand, was a clinic in futility. How the Jets go from dueling a big, strong, grinding team like the Bruins, then simply drop their guard for a spanking against the New York Islanders; a team that had been struggling with a 2-3-2 record in their last seven before this game, is still buzzing in my head.
Tucker Poolman scored his first NHL goal in the loss. Adam Lowry tried to make it look a little less embarrassing with his 7th late in the third, but it was a sunken ship by that point, as the Jets lost one they just as soon forget, 5-2.
With the losses, the Jets stayed pretty much idle in the Central division standings, save for the one point earned against Boston, the Jets remain a technical third in the division, (although tied with the St. Louis Blues for second-who have played one extra game than Winnipeg) with 46 points. The Nashville Predators hold first in the division with 48 points.
The Jets played well in Boston, however a hot Tuukka Rask stifled the Jets all night long. Connor Hellebuyck mirrored his counterpart till the very end, only Helle couldn't stop Bruins rookie, Charlie McAvoy in the shootout and the Jets left the TD Garden with one point. Disappointing, given the the Jets played well enough to win, but came up just short in the 2-1 shootout loss.
Patrick Laine scored his team-leading 18th goal.
The game against the Islanders, on the other hand, was a clinic in futility. How the Jets go from dueling a big, strong, grinding team like the Bruins, then simply drop their guard for a spanking against the New York Islanders; a team that had been struggling with a 2-3-2 record in their last seven before this game, is still buzzing in my head.
Tucker Poolman scored his first NHL goal in the loss. Adam Lowry tried to make it look a little less embarrassing with his 7th late in the third, but it was a sunken ship by that point, as the Jets lost one they just as soon forget, 5-2.
With the losses, the Jets stayed pretty much idle in the Central division standings, save for the one point earned against Boston, the Jets remain a technical third in the division, (although tied with the St. Louis Blues for second-who have played one extra game than Winnipeg) with 46 points. The Nashville Predators hold first in the division with 48 points.
Sunday, December 17, 2017
Jets Return Favor To Blues
In the first half of the home and home series against the St. Louis Blues last night, the Blues shutout the Winnipeg Jets by a score of 2-0.
Tonight, the Jets returned the favor by shutting out St. Louis, 4-0 and get themselves back in the win column. At the same time, the Jets keep themselves in the hunt for first place in the Central division.
Adam Lowry opened the scoring on a nice goal-mouth feed from Andrew Copp for his fifth. Patrik Laine now leads the Jets in goals with 16 when he scored on the power-play.Mark Scheiefele scored his 15th, while Josh Morrissey scored his fifth, just over two minutes after assisting on Scheifele's goal.
The Jets fore-checked all game long, and forced multiple turnovers in the Blues zone as well as the neutral zone. They skated hard and made the most of their opportunities. This performance was a far cry from the shut-out loss last night.
Connor Hellebyck made 24 saves for his eighth career shutout. His second this season, and his second career donut against St. Louis.
For the record, the Jets pumped out 46 shots at Blues goalie, Jake Allen. In these last two games against the Blues, the Jets have thrown 98 shots at Allen, scoring on four of them.
The Jets now sit at 19-10-5. With 43 points, they sit three points behind both the Blues and the Nashville Predators.
Tonight, the Jets returned the favor by shutting out St. Louis, 4-0 and get themselves back in the win column. At the same time, the Jets keep themselves in the hunt for first place in the Central division.
Adam Lowry opened the scoring on a nice goal-mouth feed from Andrew Copp for his fifth. Patrik Laine now leads the Jets in goals with 16 when he scored on the power-play.Mark Scheiefele scored his 15th, while Josh Morrissey scored his fifth, just over two minutes after assisting on Scheifele's goal.
The Jets fore-checked all game long, and forced multiple turnovers in the Blues zone as well as the neutral zone. They skated hard and made the most of their opportunities. This performance was a far cry from the shut-out loss last night.
Connor Hellebyck made 24 saves for his eighth career shutout. His second this season, and his second career donut against St. Louis.
For the record, the Jets pumped out 46 shots at Blues goalie, Jake Allen. In these last two games against the Blues, the Jets have thrown 98 shots at Allen, scoring on four of them.
The Jets now sit at 19-10-5. With 43 points, they sit three points behind both the Blues and the Nashville Predators.
Jets Lose Ground With Losses To Hawks, Blues
An important four points escaped the Winnipeg Jets the last couple of games, losing to division rivals the Chicago Blackhawks on Dec. 14th.
Ehlers was the only Jet to bend the twine on this night, as the Jets defensive core left Connor Hellebuyck out to dry, as he faced 32 Chicago shots, making 25 saves.
The Hawks started quick and never relented. This was not the Jets best effort, especially at home.
Perhaps more importantly, the Jets also lost to the division-leading St. Louis Blues last night in the first half of a home-and-home series that continues today with a 6:00 PM start.
Facing ex-team-mate and long-time Thrasher/Jet, Chris Thorburn, all the Blues needed was goals by Vladimir Tarasenko and Vince Dunn to down the fledgling Jets.
Steve mason started for the Jets, and if it wasn't for him, things would have gotten a lot worse. He made 28 saves in the loss, for a record of 2-5-1.
Blues goalie Carter Hutton had a much better outing, as he collected the goose-egg off of 48 saves. The jets did have their chances, and Mason did his best to give his team-mates a chance.
This puts the Jets in third spot in the Central division with a record of 18-10-5 for 41 points. Dallas and Chicago are creeping up fast.
Ehlers was the only Jet to bend the twine on this night, as the Jets defensive core left Connor Hellebuyck out to dry, as he faced 32 Chicago shots, making 25 saves.
The Hawks started quick and never relented. This was not the Jets best effort, especially at home.
Perhaps more importantly, the Jets also lost to the division-leading St. Louis Blues last night in the first half of a home-and-home series that continues today with a 6:00 PM start.
Facing ex-team-mate and long-time Thrasher/Jet, Chris Thorburn, all the Blues needed was goals by Vladimir Tarasenko and Vince Dunn to down the fledgling Jets.
Steve mason started for the Jets, and if it wasn't for him, things would have gotten a lot worse. He made 28 saves in the loss, for a record of 2-5-1.
Blues goalie Carter Hutton had a much better outing, as he collected the goose-egg off of 48 saves. The jets did have their chances, and Mason did his best to give his team-mates a chance.
This puts the Jets in third spot in the Central division with a record of 18-10-5 for 41 points. Dallas and Chicago are creeping up fast.
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