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The Winnipeg Jets took to the ice tonight not to win a game but more or less to change the way they played the game of hockey. The last three games had been an example of passive, reactive hockey where the play for the Jets opposition was far from difficult. Tonight that all changed at the MTS Centre as the Jets hosted the slumping Devils.
What the Jets did was 'raise Cain' or in their case they 'raised Kane'. What does that mean exactly? Well the traditional answer, means to cause a ruckus, trouble or uproar. Well that fits perfectly with what Kane did tonight, but more importantly it shows a glimpse into the evolution of this team and perhaps it's leadership.
If you missed either of the interviews with Kane tonight, one between the first and second period and the other post game from the locker room you may not have seen what follows next. Evander Kane, at 22 years old, is starting to mature and develop into a leader, a person who wants to be held to account for what he does on the ice.
I had noticed this before but not really given it much thought until a tweet tonight from
Gary Lawless said "this is slowly becoming Evander Kane's team."
Gary is right because he summarized what is happening with Kane and the Jets on a few fronts with one simple tweet.
To go back to where this may begin one has to look to last June when Kane was asked about why he doesn't watch hockey in the post season. His response are the tweets below.
What we learned from Kane is that his competitive fire burns hot and he cares a great deal about being the best. He was at the Jets rookie camp after recovering from off season surgery and he has been at the forefront of the team to start the season. He is their difference maker, their unique talent, their player to take over a game, and their guy who wants to lead and win in all situations. It's not that the other players on the Jets don't feel this way or play to win it's that Kane does it nearly 100% of the time and it appears his teammates are noticing and more importantly responding.
That's not to say that he is solely responsible for the Jets 3-0 shut out win tonight vs the Devils, but he did score 2 goals with 8 hits and 5 hits in 20:45 of ice time. He was also named second star even but probably because his teammate played a shut out.
But this is just a brief synopsis of his numbers, his results on the ice. It's what he's saying away from that space that matters. He's talking like a leader, focused, concise and aware. He speaks in the terms of 'we' and no longer begins answers with 'I'. He makes reference to his teammates and what he learns from them as much as what he wants them to know.
There is no challenge to the leadership of the Jets and the captaincy of Andrew Ladd, nor does Kane appear to want to challenge it. However, the change and evolution happen and in some cases cannot be denied and we may be seeing the rise of Kane to the star he wants to be on this team and league.
The game between the Jets and Devils was a solid affair that had the making of a classic goalie duel. It was but for the Jets the story goes much deeper. The Jets changed their game and decided to attack the play when the Devils had possession instead of passive reaction. The played a physical game outhitting their opposition 31-18 and outshooting them 35-24. More importantly in a period where the Jets usually fade they topped the Devils 15-5.
The highlight of the night seemed to be this hit laid by Byfuglien:
The defense had a strong game with rookie Jacob Trouba leading the way with 26 minutes of ice time, the most of any Jets player. Zach Bogosian also had a strong physical game in what many consider his best of the year. As for Montoya what more can you say about a guy who received his first start of the season and earned a shut out?
Yes he had help and the skaters in front of him played a much better game but that's part in parcel with making a change. Call it 'jam', 'intensity' or 'truculence' but what the Jets brought to the MTS Centre tonight cannot escape. For nearly four games it appears to be the missing ingredient from this team and it requires dedication, commitment and determination all of which are traits brought to the ice most consistently by Evander Kane.
It's arguable as to whether Kane is the Jets' best player but when he is at his best as he was tonight, it's when the Jets have their best chance to win.
POLL
Winnipeg Jets Blogger •Winnipeg Jets Writer • 
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