Hey Evander!

Jets/Sabres tonight.  A little something for the prima donna and ex-Jet Evander Kane.

Big Win In Sunrise

With an almost perfect example of north-south, 60-minute hockey, the Winnipeg Jets handled the Florida Panthers with confidence on Wednesday night.  The Jets handled the Cats, 4-1.  The Wonderkids of Patrik Laine, Mark Scheifele and Nikolaj Ehlers each scored a goal, which includes Laine's 21st of the season, Scheifele's 17th and Ehler's 13th.  Shawn Matthias opened the scoring for the Jets when he tipped in Ben Chariot's shot from the blue line.  Laine once again leads all rookies in goals scored.  Ehlers now has six points in in his last five games, including four goals.

Jaromir Jagr collected his 1,136 assist, surpassing Paul Coffey for fifth place on the all-time list in that category when he pushed the puck along the boards to Greg McKegg for his first NHL goal.

The win keeps the Jets in the playoff hunt.  They remain one point out of the second wild-card spot, presently occupied by the Los Angeles Kings.  The Jets are tied at 41 points with the Nashville Predators and Vancouver Canucks.


             

Jets Impress With Win Over Lightning

It got a little scary at the end, with the Jets allowing a late empty-net, six-on-four power-play goal by the Bolts, not to mention blowing a 4-1 lead by the middle of the third period, but Winnipeg managed to grab two points in Tampa with a 6-4 win to improve to 18-19-3 on the season.  Still not in a playoff spot, but still pretty close.

Nikolaj Ehlers was the star of the game , as he knotted two goals, including one on a penalty shot that saw the young Dane go straight up main street on Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy.  It's nice to know that NHL referees realize the Jets are an actual NHL club and deserve some justice once in a while as well.  Ehlers also added an assist.

Patrik Laine finally scored his 20th of the season (albeit into an empty net) along with two assists, including a beauty re-direct by Mark Scheifele, and a nice little bonus to go along with it.  It's a shame Laine didn't reach 20 goals before fellow rookie and presumed Maple Leafs messiah, Auston Matthews.

Another Pair Of Losses Have Jets Still Looking Up

Four more points wasted.

The Winnipeg Jets had a two-game home-stand that could have put them in a post-season spot.  Or at least within an eyelash of one.  But after successive losses to both the streaking Columbus Blue Jackets (a 5-3 decision) and the New York Islanders (a 6-2 embarrassment to yet another team that is below the Jets in the oversll standings-albeit by just one point)

I cannot reiterate this enough and I will continue to preach it, you have to beat the teams below you.  These are must-wins.  Not a must-win in the sense that it's the playoffs and you're down 3-1 in the series, but a must win in the sense that that game against the Islanders was an easy two points for a better team and one that is supposed to be better than average at home.  But where was Scheifele, Byfuglien, Wheeler, Little or Laine?  Nikolaj Ehlers scored to represent (yeah, that's right, I said represent.  Big whoop.   Wanna fight about it?)

But where was everyone else?  Especially the defence.  If Jacob Trouba wants to be paid like a star, one would think he would be producing like one.  Kudos goes out to Shawn Matthias for his work on a Jets shot-handed goal.  But with the amount of time Connor Hellebyck was left all alone, I'm surprised that all defensive pairings aren't benched.  I know, that's ridiculous.  But they are really starting to make a rookie goal-tender look even more inexperienced.


But, unbelievably, the Jets, as of this writing, are still only three points out of the second wild-card spot for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Burmistrov Claimed By Coyotes

  Former Winnipeg Jets forward Alexander Burmistrov has been claimed off of the waiver wire by the Arizona Coyotes.

Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun has a good take.

After eight NHL seasons with the Winnipeg Jets/Atlanta Thrashes franchise (minus the two seasons and 107 games played on Kazan Ak-Bars of the Russian Kontinental Hockey League between 2013-14 and 2014-15) Burmistrov was placed on waivers on Jan. 1 to, in my own opinion, to make room for a productive player.  Not that I'm trying to shat all over the guy, as he was good on the penalty kill; but Burmi simply hasn't produced in the last two seasons.  This season alone, he only has two points in 23 games played.  Now that could be argued that he hasn't had enough ice-time.  This may be true, but it doesn't account for his lack of production last year or all of his time as a Jet under former head coach, Claude Noel.

The Coyotes are hoping that a new team and a new atmosphere will help Burmistrov find his scoring touch that he does have when he is given an opportunity.  The guy does have a wicked wrist-shot.  And that can happen.  He may very well pick up his production with a new team.  Many have done it before him. Unfortunately for Burmi, and although he's still very young at 25, he may be past his "prime," for lack of a better word.

I wish Burmistrov luck with his new team.  He's a good player, a team player and deserves a chance.

Back At It

The Christmas break in the NHL is done, and the Winnipeg Jets were back at it tonight against the Chicago Blackhawks.

It wasn't a total domination, as all the stats were pretty close in every department.  But it was Bryan Little's face-off percentage and the fore-checking-especially by the fourth line of Joel Armia, Adam Lowry and Shawn Matthias that helped the Jets out to a strong start and defeat the Chicago Blackhawks 3-1 at the United Centre.  Nick Petan was his usually pesky self as well, who continues to contribute and continues to be underrated.

The Jets took control in the corners and pretty much owned the neutral zone tonight.  This intelligent road-game defense is the reason why the Jets are now 8-4-2 against the Hawks in their last 14 meetings and 9-4-2 against Central division opponents this year.  The good guys are now at .500 with a 17-17-3 record for 37 points.

 In their last five games, the Jets are 4-1.  They sit fifth in the Central division and remain one point behind Los Angeles for the second wild card spot.  They trail the Calgary Flames by three points for the first wild card.  The St. Louis Blues lead the Jets by four points for the third and final divisional spot.

Blake Wheeler opened the scoring with his 12th.  Mark Scheifele apparently tipped in the winning goal from a blast from Jacob Trouba, but even on the slow-motion instant replay, it looked to me that the puck beat Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford clean off of Trouba's stick.  I guess the statisticians saw something I didn't.  Drew Stafford added the insurance marker 2:27 into the third.  It was Stafford's third of the season.
Dustin Byfuglien missed a glorious chance when he was in all alone on Crawford late in the second period, but the pass was just behind him and rolling, so he was unable to settle it down before he ran of real estate in front of the Chicago net-minder.

Patrik Laine almost had his 20th on an attempt at the empty net vacated by Crawford, only to deflect it off of the left post.

Connor Hellebyck continues to stifle the Hawks this season, as he made 34 saves for his third win against the Blackhawks in as many tries this campaign.  If it wasn't for his defense abandoning him on the Hawks only goal by Artem Anisimov, Helle would have garnered his second shutout over the Hawks this season.

So, How Did You Like Winnipeg?

So, many people (I use that "description" lightly, as they are simply Jets haters) have said no player wants to come to Winnipeg.  Well obviously that's not true as we have had many superstars, both past and present that had an opportunity to go elsewhere, but decided to re-sign (including Hall of Famer Dale Hawerchuck and bonafide stars Dustin Byfuglien and Blake Wheeler.)

Many ignoramuses claim they know why the Jets left (it had nothing to do with lack of fan support) and even more claim that no stars want to play in River City and moreover, they think they know why.  They don't.
Many didn't want to play for an expansion Pittsburgh Penguins or Los Angeles Kings.  Many didn't want to go to Edmonton because of the weather or high taxes.  Well, look at these franchises now.  Look at the championships they won and the winning culture they established.  Soon will it be with the Jets as well.  You'll see.

Over at The Sportster, they have compiled a list of former Winnipeg Jets that have either loved living in Winnipeg and playing for the Jets, or hated every minute of their time in the city.  For those that didn't, the heck with you.  And exactly like former captain-and now New York Islander-Andrew Ladd said of anyone that didn't, "We don't them here anyway."  Couldn't have said it better myself, Cap.

Jets Get Revenge On Canucks

Despite the Jets continuing to fill the penalty box tonight, they managed to defeat the Vancouver Canucks 4-1 at the Roger's Arena, exacting a bit of revenge for the loss to the Canucks two nights ago by the same score.

The second period finally wasn't the period from hell tonight.  It wasn't great, but at least they came out of it tied thanks to Patrik Laine's 19th goal of the season.  He continues to lead all rookies in goals.
Nikolaj Ehlers scored twice, including the game winner, to give him nine on the year and Bryan Little continues to produce after returning from injury that had him out of the line-up for the first 24 games of the season.

Micheal Hutchinson was strong and came up big in the second period.  He garnered his fourth win tonight, making 22 saves.

But the down side is, once again, the Jets allowed a team under them in the standings to be competitive.  The Jet aren't doing great this season, but the Canucks are supposed to be worse.  At least that's the impression I get every time I see the NHL Western Conference standings.

So with this, the Jets now go into the Christmas break one game under .500.  They now sit tied for fourth with the Nashville Predators with 35 points in the Central division, one point out of the second wild card spot behind the Calgary Flames.
The good news is, with this mostly disappointing season thus far, the Jets are still in the playoff hunt.
Again, they are only a three or four wins in a row away from a division spot in the standings.  The problem with that is, the Jets are yet to put three or more consecutive victories together this season.

Their next opponent is the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday, Dec. 27 at the United Center.  The Jets are 2-0 against the Hawks and they always seem to give them a fight.
Mark Scheifele is in a bit of a goal drought.  He hasn't scored since since Dec. 8 against the New York Rangers, although he did get an assist on Laine's goal.

Jets Fans Invade NHL Arenas, Improve Enemies' Box Office

Here`s a rare hockey story. 


Normally, when a sub-par or small-market hockey club comes to a city who`s market or team is bigger or more successful, most of the average home team ticket buyers will stay away.  They'd rather wait for the likes of Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, or Connor McDavid to spend their hard-earned cash.


But as is the case for a small-market, lower-based salary structure team like the Jets, apparently the owners of said big-market clubs don`t mind hosting a team like the Jets (even though they have no choice due to scheduling of course.)  But it seems that the Jets are in a unique situation of their own.  Everybody knows Winnipeg Jets fans are one of (if not the most) loudest, knowledgeable and rabid fan basis in the hockey universe.  And to prove that even more, Paul Wiecek of the Winnipeg Free Press has discovered that the high number of Jets fans that follow the team on the road, not only let a loud vocal support to the Jets that can clearly be heard on television (and by the players) but these same Jets fans actually benefit the opposing teams box office as well:


VANCOUVER — Two games in three days against the same small-market Canadian team, all in the week before Christmas.

That schedule would be an attendance-killer in a lot of buildings in the NHL, but in Vancouver, the Canucks were willing to oblige a rare two-game set against the Winnipeg Jets this week.

That’s because in Vancouver — as in Calgary, Edmonton, St. Paul, Minn., Miami and Glendale, Ariz. — the Jets are box office boffo.

While Winnipeg will never be the scalpers’ bonanza NHL teams such as the Chicago Blackhawks, Pittsburgh Penguins and Montreal Canadiens are, the little old Jets — thanks in large part to fiercely loyal communities of Winnipeg expatriates — have increasingly carved out a niche of their own as a visiting team that can be good for the home team’s business.

According to the online ticket re-seller Vivid Seats, the Jets punch above their weight class — and small Canadian market status — when it comes to selling tickets in other NHL cities.
According to the website, the Jets are tied for 17th in the NHL in terms of the effect they have on median ticket prices in the buildings they visit.

That’s well behind the likes of Chicago — the NHL’s best road draw, by a mile — but still ahead of some other big-market Central Division rivals, including the Dallas Stars, St. Louis Blues, Nashville Predators and Colorado Avalanche.
In Calgary, for instance, Flames staffers now rank the Jets as their fourth-best draw in the NHL, behind only the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal and the Edmonton Oilers.
 In Arizona, the Jets have long been the Coyotes’ single-best draw in a U.S. state where many Winnipeg snowbirds vacation and/or have winter homes.

And then there’s Minnesota, where Jets fans show up in such huge numbers the Wild two seasons ago had the Canadian anthem performed in French prior to one game against the Jets just to prevent Winnipeggers in the building from announcing their presence with a full-throated "True North!"
A note on that "True North" thing, a calling card in visiting buildings from Jets fans: yes, the Jets players hear you. And yeah, they think it’s pretty cool.

"It lets us know Jets fans are in the building. And it’s unique — no other team has that," Jets defenceman Ben Chiarot said Tuesday. "Yeah, we hear it. And in some buildings, it’s really loud."
Those loud buildings include the one in B.C., a province that is home to huge swaths of former Winnipeggers — retired and otherwise — who have long taken advantage of Jets visits to the Lower Mainland to head out to Rogers Arena and cheer on their "home" team.

Vancouver could use all the box office help it can get right now. The Canucks are a bit of a tire fire this season, with an aging and slow lineup, and the locals have grown increasingly indifferent judging by the numbers of empty seats visible at Rogers Arena for Vancouver’s last home game, Sunday against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Two home games against the Jets this week with Rogers Arena full of Winnipeggers might not be great for the psyche of the Canucks players, but it certainly won’t hurt the team’s bottom line.
The question still to be answered, however, is whether there will come a time when the Jets can draw fans in visiting cities who aren’t former or current Winnipeggers.

With budding superstars such as Patrik Laine and Mark Scheifele, it’s not beyond the realm of possibility the Jets at some point become like the Edmonton Oilers of the 1980s: an otherwise obscure Canadian team you desperately want to see play live because of its star power.
That prospect might look a long way off with the Jets mired around .500, but then who’d have guessed a year ago the Jets would now have an 18-year-old rookie who is third in the NHL in goals and the third-leading vote-getter in the Central Division in all-star balloting?

It’s all pieces towards the building of what team owner True North Sports & Entertainment Ltd. hopes will eventually become a unique "Jets brand" that extends its appeal well beyond the Perimeter Highway — one part vintage Oilers, one part current Blackhawks, with a splash of the small-market miracle that is the NFL’s Green Bay Packers.

Or, as a Jets staffer likened it for me this week: "Not trying to be Pepsi or Coke. Just trying to be the best Dr. Pepper we can be."


paul.wiecek@freepress.mb.ca

Jets Fail To Capitalize On Slumping Canucks

I've said it before (as have many others) and I'll continue to say it; when you can't beat a lesser team, especially those below you in the standings, you can't consider yourself a playoff team.  It's the National Hockey League, any team can beat any other team on any given night, so no victories are forgone conclusions.


Once again the second period monster reared it's ugly head at the Jets last night and as has become a custom to the Winnipeg Jets this season, the little team from River City decided to stop playing for the rest of the game.  After a nice effort from captain Blake Wheeler to open the scoring, the Jets once again forgot why they were there and fell to the lowly Vancouver Canucks 4-1.


I'm starting to get the impression that Patrik Laine is only able to score within the confines of the MTS Centre.  With only four goals on the road as of this writing, it seems that Laine hasn't found his scoring niche outside of Winnipeg.  Mark Scheifele's stick seems to have cooled off as well.  Now the Jets should have beaten the Canucks hands down last night even without any offensive contributions from the Jets top scorers, but if these two don't get back on their game (Scheifele moreover than Laine at this time) the Jets will be in some serious trouble.


It's to the point now (even though it's only the end of December) that Jets fans consoling themselves after an embarrassing loss or "should have won" loss by saying "it's only one game," where that's just not enough.  Yes, they're a young and, overall, an inexperienced team.  But they have enough talent and a decent, experienced enough coach that they should have more w's in the win column.


This type of play cannot sustain itself.  Eventually, the teams under the Jets will start winning and surpass them.  They may not get into the playoffs themselves, but they'll be higher than the Jets in the standings.  I know.  That will give them a better chance at a draft pick.  But do they need a top-tier prospect right now anyways?  The Jets prospect pool is one of, if not the best systems in the entire NHL.  Other than some stellar goalie that the Jets may draft in the later rounds a la Martin Brodeur, the Jets would seemingly be better off trading player-for-player or player-for-prospects.  One such theory put forth was by someone writing under the name Alex H.  He has penned a list of what he thinks are 15 potential trades that could be made before the trade deadline.  If you`re not interested in all 15 and just want to see who he thinks Kevin Cheveldayoff should ship out for a trade, just scroll down to number one (and try to ignore the wrestling article on the same page)


The Canucks are up again tomorrow night from the same Rogers Arena venue.  Seriously, if the Jets don`t come out swinging and keep it up until the final buzzer, this may be the mold of their play for the rest of the season.  Being under .500 at the Christmas break is not exactly conducive to earning a playoff spot.

Jets Down Avs

A close to dominating game by the Winnipeg Jets today, as they defeated the Colorado Avalanche 4-1 at the MTS Centre.  They played all sixty minutes with Connor Hellebyuck almost recording the donut if not for a late six-on-four power-play by the Avs with goaltender Calvin Pickard on the bench for the extra attacker.

Patrik Laine scored his eighteenth of the year and Nikolaj Ehlers, after being continuously robbed by Roberto Luongo on Thursday after a six-shot, puck-on-a-string performance, scored twice (the second being an empty-netter) to increase his output to seven goals on the season thus far.  Mark Scheifele ended up with a two-point night with him assisting on both of Ehlers markers and Laine got himself three points this afternoon with his goal and the secondary helper on both of Ehlers goals as well.

Ehlers has been robbed so many times this season (both by goaltenders gloves and goalposts) that now that he's got a taste for the net again, I'm hoping that he'll fill the net over the next few games like when a scorer of his calibre goes long enough without scoring

With this victory, the Jets springboard over the Dallas Stars into fourth in the Central division, one point behind both the Los Angeles Kings and Calgary Flames with 33 points for a wildcard spot.  The Jets remain five points behind the St. Louis Blues for third in the Central.

Morrissey Quietly Being Noticed

A few posts back I linked an article from Paul Friesen about Kyle Connor, the Winnipeg Jets rookie, who although has been recently sent to the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League for playing time and to retrieve his confidence and scoring touch, I believed was going to turn some heads this season. Connor did enough to make the opening night roster, but had only scored one goal in 17 games at the time of his "demotion."

Of course being in the shadow of Patrik Laine and all the media obsession over the 2016 second overall pick is probably a little too much to overcome for a young rookie.

  But this post is simply another link to an article espousing the grit, determination and quiet patience of Moose graduate Joshua Morrissey.  The young defenseman has certainly made strides in his quest to the NHL.  And those strides have paid off.

Team Blue Victorious At Jets Skills Competition

The Winnipeg Jets held their annual Skills Competition on Friday, with rookie sensation Patrik Laine stealing the show in the accuracy portion of the afternoon (who else?) if not the win for Team White.  That was left to Nikolaj Ehlers who gave Team Blue the win with the fastest skater competition.  

Again, other than Blake Wheeler, who else is the fastest on the roster?

Apparently a good time was had by all.

Jets Tame Cats, End Four Game Skid

It wasn't pretty.  But it was entertaining.  And by that I mean it was another exciting come back win by the Winnipeg Jets, this time over the Florida Panthers 4-3 in a shoot-out.  This one was much needed.

It wasn't the blow-out I was more or less predicting based on Patrik Laine going balistic after his own-goal on Sunday in Edmonton, although Laine did register a point with an assist on Dustin Byfuglien's first period goal that opened the scoring.  Mark Scheifele was also held goalless.

Nikolaj Elhers was the sniper-that-wasn't tonight.  He had six shots tonight with some beautiful  dangling through most of the Florida defense core.  But as he has been the last dozen games or so, he just couldn't find the back of the net.  A strong performance by Roberto Luongo didn't help matters.
Matheiu Perreault ended it in the seventh round of the shootout to end the Jets four-game winless skid (0-3-1) and give the Jets their 14th win of the season and a much-delayed 31st point to place them fourth in the Central division and one point behind the Los Angeles Kings for the second and last wild card spot in the West.

Connor Hellebyuck recorded his second-highest save performance this season with 41 denials.

Sh*t Happens, Says Laine

Everybody keeps saying that Patrik Laine will be o.k.  It was a blip in the grand scheme of what will be a stellar NHL career.

The fact that Laine scored on his own net in the third period of a 2-2 game between the Winnipeg Jets and the Edmonton Oilers is not a big deal.  It was at the time, but by the new year no one will remember or even care.  Jets fans certainly won't, so why would anyone else.  Except the naysayers that is.  Perhaps fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs who secretly wish the Leafs had selected Laine instead of Austen Matthews. Maybe even Oilers fans who are still miffed that the Jets moved up four spots to steal number two from them in last summer's draft.

Just three days after Laine had "embarrassed Winnipeg," he was back in River City at the Jets practice when he told reporters, "What happened Sunday?" like he has already forgotten it as he should.  "I haven't thought about that.  It's gone.  Shit happens sometimes.  Now it was my turn."

Big points for Blake Wheeler for immediately showing support and leadership to a potentially season-damaging mistake when the Jets captain went over and hugged Laine with his left arm, after Laine had come back to the bench after he popped the puck in behind Connor Hellebyuck, and told him to forget it and use the time left in the game to redeem himself.

Laine has apparently forgotten about it.  His team mates have forgotten about it and most Winnipeg Jets fans have already forgotten about it.  Why?  Because although he is only 18 years old, he already has the mindset that indeed "shit happens."  Plus, you have to believe this will only make him more determined.  Hell, he'll probably score his third hat-trick this season against the Florida Panthers later tonight.

That could be a real possibility.  Overall, the Jets have handled the Panthers more than adequately over the past few seasons. The Cats have had a few good high-scoring games against them, but with wins of scores of 7-0, 7-2 and 8-2, Laine has an opportunity to not only right a wrong, but to erase it from any future discourse.  At least that wrong could be easily dismissed.  Of course I'm not forgetting Jaromir Jagr. He will no doubt have something to say about the outcome of tonight's match-up, but look for Laine to double his efforts and show he is the type of player that can sincerely put it behind him and keep putting pucks in the net; and seemingly at will at that.

As for all the internet "experts" who actually think Laine didn't know what end of the rink he was in and just by instinct as a pure goal scorer shot the puck at the net?  Seriously, shut down your computers and never offer an opinion ever again.
It was quite clear he was trying to clear it into the corner and the puck just hit a spot on the blade of his stick that made it veer off in the wrong direction.

Besides, it won't really matter tonight now anyways now will it?

Jets Blow It In Edmonton

Even a coach's challenge that went Paul Maurice's way to deny the Edmonton Oilers a goal near the end of the first period couldn't help the Winnipeg Jets defeat their timeless rivals last night.
Patrik Laine pulling a Nikolaj Ehlers and scoring into his own net probably didn't help matters much.

So all the Oilers needed was two goals from Mark Letestu and the gift from Laine to win 3-2 and go 3-0 against the Jets this season.

Another losing streak for the Jets.  This is the third time the Jets have lost three or more in a row this season and it's not even the end of December.

Suffice to say, the Jets are now out of a playoff spot and sliding fast.

Flames Incinerate Jets

  I was at work the other night and a co-worker asks me, "Where are the Jets playing Saturday?"
"Calgary."  I said.  Then, for some reason I just said, "I think they're gonna get their butts handed to 'em."
"What makes you say that?"  he said.
"Calgary is just the better team,"  I answered.

Now, when I said that, I wasn't just complaining that the Calgary Flames were on a five-game winning streak and that they were probably going to feast on the slumping Winnipeg Jets who were coming in losers of two in a row.  I said it, because the Calgary Flames have a better overall hockey club than the Winnipeg Jets in this 2016-2017 NHL campaign.

But when I said "they were going to get their butts handed to them," I didn't think I was being prophetic.  But when the Flames struck with four un-answered goals in the second (Hello Jets.  It's me.  You're second period nightmare.  I'm baaaaaack) I almost turned the game off and started this post.  Well, the third period hasn't started yet and I'm writing this post.  At least the game is still on.

This was a brutal non-attempt at competition by the Jets.  They were schooled all over the ice by Johnny Goudreau and company.  Starting goaltender Michael Hutchinson should have been yanked after the third goal.  As it was, Paul Maurice was at least cognizant enough to start Connor Hellebyuck for the final frame.

The showed why they had won their last five games.  They won the battles in the corners.  They clearly won the battles in front of the net and defensively, the Flames had better sticks all over the place.

Blake Wheeler continues his scoreless streak.  Jets power couple Mark Scheifele and Patrik Laine were both held pointless and once again, the Jets continue to shoot themselves in the foot by not staying out of the box.  Lather.  Rinse.  Repeat.

Oh look, it's 5-0.  Nice.

There's a bit of light in an otherwise black hole of offensive ineffectualness, Nikolaj Ehlers finally scored to end a 15-game drought.  He hadn't scored since Nov. 10 against the Arizona Coyotes.  Jacob Trouba scored his first of the year with 0.1 seconds left in the third.  A pretty anti-climactic first goal of the season.

So this atrocity ends 6-2 with the Edmonton Oilers up tomorrow night in Edmonton.
I don't expect a different result.   I detect a divisional/conference slide coming.  Minnesota, Dallas and Los Angeles are starting to win.  The Jets are not.  The wild card is now something the Jets are looking up at along with three other clubs.

This is/was painful.

Penalties Are The Problem

What is (or are) the Winnipeg Jets main follies this year?

  After 30 games, should the Winnipeg Jets with all their hyped-up young talent-laden stars and potential fire-power be right where they are?  Were they expected to be where they are (second wild card-at the present time volleying between a wild card and a divisional ?)  Will they improve during the second of the season or falter?

The Winnipeg Sun's Paul Freisen did me a favour by already extracting some of  the Jets stats on the matter.

  My take, and it's a simple one; stay out of the box.  As it's been since the Jets arrival back in Winnipeg in 2011, the Jets main problem (as well as sub-par goaltending) is penalties.  Every team takes them and seemingly every time at the wrong moment every other team's fans will say.  But with the Jets it's true.  Very, very true.

  If you check the numbers, the Jets have been one of the top penalized teams in the league for the last five years.  A lot of them avoidable offensive zone brain farts.  They also have the distinction of being one of the most penalized teams facing five-on-three disadvantages,  The flip side is, they've managed to successfully kill those off the majority of the time.  But the real thorn in the Jets collective side is not just ill-timed avoidable penalties, but allowing late goals.

  How many times have I seen the Jets get scored on with a minute or less to go in the period?  Usually it's in the third, as the most recent game against the New York Rangers demonstrated.  Less than a minute from securing at least a point from the game, and BOOM, Kevin Hayes pops in a gift at the side of the gaping net. 2-1 Rangers.  Not only was that one at the end of the period, but it was of course, also a power-play tally.

Right now, if not officially, then theoretically, the Jets are somehow a "on-the-bubble" play-off team.  They obviously won't be with a record of four wins in a 12-game span.  Everything must improve.  The only bright spots so far seem to be Mark Scheifele and Patrik Laine.  The goal-tending has to improve (although it has slightly) they have to stay out of the box and when the game is tied and you're close to the end of regulation, how about playing for the win and not a tie?

Connor Sent To Moose

Kyle Connor, the NCAA wonder kid from one year ago and who is badly in need of restoration of his confidence and scoring touch, has been sent down to the Winnipeg Jets American Hockey League affiliate, Manitoba Moose.

I recently posted about how I thought with all eyes being on Patrik Laine and Mark Scheifele that Connor would slip in under the radar and produce quietly, but consistently.  I pegged him, in his rookie year, to notch about 12-15 goals and about 40-45 points.  I guess not.

In spite of that, I can't say I didn't see this coming.  With Connor only producing one goal and three assists this season thus far, and being a healthy scratch for the last five games, Connor was due for a short-term change of scenery,

Connor is a talented kid.  Give him about 10-15 games down on the farm and he'll be back...or not.

Late Goal Sinks Jets

The Winnipeg Jets were 1:09 from securing at least their 30th point in the Central division standings, until Ryan McDonagh slipped one past Jets goaltender Micheal Hutchinson as the New York Rangers slipped past the Winnipeg Jets 2-1 at the MTS Centre last night.

Mark Scheifele returned to the line-up after missing the last two games with an upper-body injury.  He notted the Jets only marker this night on assists from Paul Postma and Dustin Byfuglien.  Scheifele now has 14 goals on the season.

The Rangers were without star winger Rick Nash, but it didn't seem to matter as the Rangers speed and transition game were too much for the Jets to handle.  And once again, it was a bad penalty (although very questionable) at the wrong time-in this case with just 2:56 left in the third in a tie game, that ultimately burned the Jets.

The Jets have now lost their last two straight and the same in as many games at home.  They now sit in the second wild card spot in the Western Conference with 29 points, one point ahead of the Los Angeles Kings.