There's something about the Blackhawks that brings out the best, and sometimes worst, in the Winnipeg Jets. They are good battles and ones that the Jets seem to rise up from mediocrity, or less, to compete and right now win. Last night was no different.
The Jets got out to an early 2-0 lead with goals from Laine and Matthias and then held on until Chicago tied it and then took a 3-2 lead. It was a roller coaster for the Jets. A complete and utter up and down experience going from controlling the game to being totally controlled, to taking it back.
There was no easy work for Connor Hellebuyck as he posted the win with a .925 save percentage and calmly held off the charge for 1 and 1/3 periods.
The game though was pretty much an embodiment of what the Jets are and how fans react to them. Surprise, shock, reality, acceptance, frustration, confusion, and anger all rolled into one game. This time they came out. But make no mistake there are still problems with this team.
Instead of recapping it with some analysis here's what Twitter had to say. Do you agree or disagree?
@Teddier They weren't playing the Hawks.
— Robert Cleave (@rmcleave) January 27, 2017
@Teddier heart and grit penalties happen pete
— #IsPoMoStillAThing (@fat_tonybones) January 27, 2017
To be clear I meant two bad penalties in two consecutive games.
@Teddier sorry Peter that was equally Stuart's fault he was sitting on Krueger to start and then of course had to shove his head 5x!
— john bellino (@SgtSnute) January 27, 2017
After Chicago tied it up and then took the lead this was the series of responses to this tweet:
@Teddier start with a coach
— thesawch (@thesawch) January 27, 2017
@Teddier the top.
— PuckHead (@PuckHeadd) January 27, 2017
@Teddier @NHLJetsNation Have we tried "the top"
— Buffington McMoose (@Buffs_Buffet) January 27, 2017
@Teddier @NHLJetsNation At the bench. Followed shortly by at the top.
— Mr. Sieve (@SuperJetsFan) January 27, 2017
@Teddier I think it comes from the top. Evaluate what you think your team is or what you want it to be.
— #IsPoMoStillAThing (@fat_tonybones) January 27, 2017
@Teddier - Both subjects require a ton of blind faith.
— North End Rick (@NorthEndRick) January 27, 2017
@Teddier Coaching. I'm also tired of having a GM that won't improve the team unless he has a gun to his head.
— Mike Fraser (@bcmikejetsfan) January 27, 2017
@Teddier honestly I have no idea what the jets want to be. You can just say we want to complete you need a vision and plan.
— #IsPoMoStillAThing (@fat_tonybones) January 27, 2017
Drain the swamp and by swamp I mean the front office https://t.co/CKivox9WFO
— Kat (@PartKat) January 27, 2017
As the simple acceptance of defeat set in I brought this up as puck battles were lost and possession squandered:
One thing that has been consistent with Jets since 2011- pressure puck carrier & it gets coughed up.
— Peter Tessier (@Teddier) January 27, 2017
Copp, who has looked very good since being moved up the roster due to injuries, scored and then Little put a bullet past Darling for a 4-3 Jets lead. ?????? Copp set up Scheifele for the empty net goal and boom we have a 5-3 lead onto the win.
We all saw a 5-3 victory after the first period right?
— Peter Tessier (@Teddier) January 27, 2017
"All the goalie needs to do is keep us in it" He did that tonight. https://t.co/RW0INFLp3F
— cMACK (@cmackLIVE) January 27, 2017
I think the key point was he played solid in 3rd. https://t.co/jUqSj4MVc3
— Neil Ritchot (@neilr22) January 27, 2017
So there is it- a Jets game in action as you see from one social media platform. Here's what's interesting the Jets were brutal with possession until the third period until they managed to get to 50% at 5vs5.
Here's where they were at 5v5
1- 32.26% 2- 26.09% 3- 50.00%
In all stituations
1- 40% 2- 39% 3- 50%
They hung on and that was a testament to Connor Hellebuyck. While he dropped a .925 on 43 shots faced including a fair amount at high danger range there's a bigger picture issue here.
Since the start of 2017 the Jets have allowed 3 goals or more in 11 of 13 games. They have 6 wins in those 13 games and thus if the Jets don't score they simply cannot grind out wins. There might be something more too look at here and I might get to it but that's for another column.
Bask in a great, yet surprising win Jets fans as the All-Star break is upon us. Let's see what Laine can do and how the break hopefully rejuvenates the team.