Exhale Jets fans, there's no need to panic. It was best not to write after the Nashville game as there were too many emotions, too many thoughts and frankly too much belief in some conspiracy theories. Sure I write for a 'rumours' website so conspiracies are great for business but I don't think there's any to be found here other than a lot of emotion based around frustration for some players.

Perspective First

The Nashville game came at the end of the Jets' longest road trip of the year and on the second game of back-to-backs. There were two goals scored while shorthanded on one power play. Congrats to the Preds you cashed in a lottery ticket way too early as that's not going to happen every game let alone every season. After that what more did they do?

If you look back at those two goals you can put one on Hutchinson but you can also put the opportunity for that on a team who is tired, depleted, and perhaps looking towards the home flight.

There is probably reason for some scrutiny on Paul Maurice to not start Hutch versus Washington and have a very rested Hellebuyck (who was sensational in relief) come in for Nashville but that point of discussion gone and not worth worrying about now. Hopefully it becomes a learning experience.


Infirmary Report

Stastny, Scheifele, Trouba, Lowry, all skated today and Trouba is listed as ready to go. Enstrom is close according to Paul Maurice while Hendricks is out 6-8 weeks with an LBI- heck let's just use Jeff Hamilton for this:

#NHLJets injury updates:
Trouba: cleared, game-time decision
Stastny: will play
Scheifele/Lowry: contact on Sat, day-to-day
Kulikov: too much inflammation, need more tests, D-2-D
Hendricks: LBI, out 6-8 weeks.
Hutchinson: Concussion, week-to-week
Mason: progressing, W-to-W#wfp

— Jeff Hamilton (@jeffkhamilton) March 15, 2018

The bigger point here is that soon the Jets will be what they once were and perhaps more. Imagine a healthy blue line with Morrissey and Trouba leading the charge sending the puck up to Ehlers, Stastny and Laine. This will happen soon so be patient Jets fans.

Tonight vs Chicago

While the rest was only one day sometimes coming home after a long trip can also be a letdown. The settling in of reality can be a distraction too and the Jets could just was easily continue their distracted play but that's not really in their DNA right now.

This is a proud group looking for a bigger result this year than in the previous six seasons. The stretch drive is officially on and the Jets have 8 of their next 12 games at home including six straight starting tonight. That bodes well for the infirmary too but tonight is all that matters.

Chicago is 24 points behind Winnipeg and has a 5-5 record in their last 10 games but are coming off a 3-1 win over Boston. The goaltending for Chicago has been suspect since Crawford went down and with Anthony Duclair being listed as day-to-day the Blackhawks are wounded birds but still dangerous.

If the Jets can put the first period behind them, stay out of the penalty box and get a couple of healthy bodies in the lineup they can get back to their rather clockwork approach to games.

What lies ahead

The six game home stand is a blessing given the injuries and chance to work as a team and heal up. The opposition though is still a dangerous situation. Other than Chicago, who the Jets player three times including tonight, the other teams aside from Ottawa and Montreal are all jockeying for playoff position or fighting to get in. Simply put, the next 12 games will not be easy and the task is to get through them, hold onto second in the Central and stay healthy. That task starts tonight.

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