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The Set Up
With Sbisa and Poolman back in and Niku out, the Jets hoped to have a tougher lineup for the offensively depleted San Jose Sharks. Sure, the Jets were missing their second and third line center, but the Sharks were without their first and second. Seemed doable. Right?
1st Period
The Jets started ok, with Laine opting to shoot on Dell in close instead of attempting a pass to Scheifele on an abbreviated 2 on 1. He just didn’t have the angle.
You know? I’ve been thinking about writing about just how awful Kulikov has been for awhile now and given in to my better self. But, it’s time. What was he doing backhanding a puck to Hellebuyck, when there was zero pressure and several open teammates surrounding him? And, did Helle actually say something after he played it back to Kuli taking it around behind the net? Something had to be said.
Adding to the ok start, Wheeler would be set up in the slot off the rush and just miss. Then, immediately after, getting another awesome feed from Ehlers, put one off the post. And then a clever steal by Connor, just in front of the Sharks blue line, allowed him to set up Scheifele who shot it wide.
But execution wasn’t apparent early on for this team. Instead, it was Alex True, wrapping the puck around and having Sorenson finish it off, whacking away at the rebound.
Who could score first?
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) February 15, 2020
Well, Sorensen could
Jets challenged the goal
But turns out it was good! @sorensenmarcus | #SJSharks pic.twitter.com/uRP91H3N0X
#NHLJets G Connor Hellebuyck on the #SJSharks first goal from Marcus Sorensen: pic.twitter.com/De7Sd8pY7G
— Ken Wiebe (@WiebeAthletic) February 15, 2020
Ehlers gave us another display of excellent passing when he whipped one on the backhand right to Roslovic in the slot. Sadly, he shanked it and it went up into the netting.
Three shots in a period won’t lend itself to much offense, thankfully the second started better.
2nd period
When the Jets went to work on their first powerplay of the period, they were not messing around. Starting with a Scheifele shot from the bumper, then a Laine snap off the rebound, followed by a blast from Pionk at the point, but Dell was dialed in and turned them all aside.
Eventually the Jets talent would find a way when Connor, almost immediately after he tried to sneak in front and tuck one in, snuck in front and tucked one in. But this time, he went between his knees top cheese, baebeee! It. Was. Sick.
Kyle Freakin Connor you are ridiculous my man! #NHLJets pic.twitter.com/7Bvtfk3y7v
— JetsNation (@NHLJetsNation) February 15, 2020
Then almost immediately after, Wheeler found the top shelf himself, taking a perfect pass from Copp, after his nice forecheck on the Sharks D.
#NHLJets second goal.. Copp feeds it to the captain and bang!
— JetsNation (@NHLJetsNation) February 15, 2020
2-1 Jets pic.twitter.com/G5ipKNgop4
Things would start to get ugly around here, as Goodrow stole the puck from Pionk at the point on the powerplay, rushed in alone, only to be stopped by Hellebuyck. But, right after Sorensen still shorthanded, got a breakaway, tried the backhand, but Helle’s wasn’t having it. And then Ehlers got rocked by Brendan Dillion. Cripes!
Still, Scheifele sensing an opportunity, picked a puck out of a pile and went in on Dell. The Sharks’ goalie was sharp on the night and snagged it with his glove, negating a rebound.
Helle held the fort to end the period, stoning the marauding Meier as he pushed his pads back into the net with his stick. Still, with all the commotion the refs picked out Morrissey to sit for two.
3rd Period
It wouldn’t matter much as mentioned before, the Sharks powerplay was terrible on the night. Unfortunately, after the penalty, some unassertive play would allow Kellman to throw one to Melker Karlsson in front. He’d finish the play and bring the Sharks back in it.
A minute and a half later Brent Burns, who played in his 1100th game, becoming the 61st defenseman all-time to do that, slapped one on Hellebuyck. The puck bounced right back out to Burns, who fired another that Labanc, and finally Meier whacked at until it became a Sharks lead.
Roses are red
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) February 15, 2020
Daisies are fine
Timo just scored
At 6:09 (pm) @MeierTimo | #SJSharks pic.twitter.com/CXoM4dxrMJ
The Jets would look good on another PP, and after much mayhem Scheifele’s quick one-timer from the bumper threatened, but wouldn’t go. Ten games of that now. Yeesh! With two minutes left, the Jets pulled Helle. And, with serious pressure, Pionk faked from the point and got it to over to Connor who couldn’t quite redirect it past Dell.
Off the next draw, with just seconds to go, Connor again, just about iced one on the door step. Instead he sent it off the post and the Jets lost their second in a row. Ouch!
The Wrap
So, the Jets are now a single point out of a playoff spot with Jets 1.0 in the way. The Coyotes appear to be trending down, but it might be the team behind by 2 with 2 games in hand, the Nashville Predators, that present the greater threat. And I guess the Wild aren’t out of it either. With Boudreau gone, will they get the new coach bump? Regardless, this Jets team has got to start winning if they want to be in the playoff picture this year.
Their next chance to get on track, will be Sunday with the Blackhawks back in town. 7:30 start.