The loss to the Islanders still stings for many Jets fans after the visitors managed to score three unanswered goals and two within 33 second of the last two minutes of the game. There was outrage, there was frustration, and there were really no answers or explanations.
Fans are divided into two camps it seems. One camp who hope for the best and believe anything is possible and that a returning Dustin Byfuglien will solve some ills and that there is more hope with a skating Josh Morrissey. The other camp sees problems and accountability across the board, from players, to coaches to food vendors in the stands. Everyone is to blame because in their view no one accepts blame or accountability.
Paul Maurice was in fine form yesterday as he stumbled to find a positive about what 'that loss' to the Islanders can do. He was in pure Tony Robbins self-help spin mode using his hands to help illustrate the packaging of a loss one that was entirely preventable.
The game tying goal was a comedy of errors with Chiarot losing his stick and then when going to pick it up he blocks Laine from chasing the puck. Now neither were moving with any urgency but it forces Trouba to follow it out to the wall and Laine cannot turn and cover Czikas' fast enough nor does Chiarot read the open man in front with any speed either.
This is where you call a time out.
Instead the coach rolls out the next line and places everyone's favorite controversial D-pair of Kulikov- Myers on with Tanev Little and Lowry.
The Jets lose the puck and Barzal comes up racing and manages to get past Kulikov, and then past Myers or between them if you like, Tanev is back checking and then, well no one. Both defense go behind the net to play the puck and neither gets it so Tanev is left defending a 2-on-1 in front. Eberle gets the puck, dekes a diving Tanev and scores as Kulikov comes around the far side to try and help out.
This goal should never have happened and for those with decent memories it should have reminded them of the ending to the last game vs San Jose. This was nothing more than a total comedy of errors and one that was preventable for a whole host of reasons.
After the tying goal take the time out and give your best players a rest. This was no time to decide to roll lines or pairings. The Islanders were clearly riding emotion and momentum so do something to disrupt that. Give the players a plan, give them something to work with and some sort of support. There was nothing.
The Jets were under water all night in any meaningful predictive category and more importantly they were able to be exploited when the Islanders needed to find weaknesses. It was all to easy to see as it's been seen before, for far too many games.
Tonight the Jets host the Canadiens and like the game against the Islanders the last time the Jets met the Canadiens they started out with a lead and then just faded away, but in far worse fashion. The rookie sensation for Montreal Kotkaniemi is not playing and Weal comes in so perhaps there is hope but does it matter? What Jets team shows up?
Paul Maurice has said he does not want to adjust his lines or roster too much before the post season because he wants familiarity. So with Byfuglien in, Niku comes out and Matt Hendricks is subbed out for Jack Roslovic.
So what do we see for lines?
The usual.
27-55-26 81-12-29 17-18-13 85-9-28
Sure the Lowry- Little- Tanev line was solid in underlying numbers but at what expense? Perreault, Copp and Hendricks were a disaster and does that change with Roslovic?
The hope of finding the magic switch or the turning of the proverbial 'corner' seems far from likely now and almost a faint hope. How many more lessons need to be learned? How much can be learned from a loss such as the one on Thursday?
Yes this is negative but let's try one last grasp at positivity- is this a team waiting to play games that matter? A group that sees the post season as a chance for redemption on last year's exit?
Yes I think so. I think that their focus is set upon things further away than the immediate. They have had their moments and successes as well as those like what happened on Thursday. Nothing seems to move the needle and perhaps that's the best hope for them in that the even keel is what will keep them steady when the games 'really' matter.
That's a nice though but does it matter when you're either Dr. Jettyl or Mr. Slide as there is nothing even or balanced in that.