The Jets know what they’re going to get night in and night out from their top trio of Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler.
When head coach Paul Maurice moved some puzzle pieces around last week in Ottawa, he may not even had expected the instant chemistry that came from the Jets second line of Andrew Copp, Paul Stastny and Nikolaj Ehlers.
In the four full games the line has played together, they’ve combined for 23 points. Ehlers leads the team in goals (5) and points (11).
“Going out there and playing with (Stastny) and (Copp) right now, they’re amazing players,… Ehlers said Tuesday following the Jets 6-4 victory over the Edmonton Oilers.
“They’re making it so much easier for me to keep using my speed. They’re two fantastic players. We’re able to use our strengths as much as possible and help each other out. We want to continue doing that and keep trying to get better.…
In the 46:13 of five-on-five ice time the three have skated together, the Jets hold the shot share advantage at 59.79%, have outscored their opponents 6-0 and outshot them 34-25. All of this while generating 13 high-danger chances for.
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“I think we’re reading off of each other well. (Stastny) is so consistent and he’s so smart and he goes to the right areas every time. And (Ehlers) is doing that and then he’s using his speed and being dynamic too which especially on the breakout, it’s huge for us,… said Copp.
The Jets once again found themselves trailing early Tuesday night, falling behind 3-1 halfway through the opening period. But as they’ve done several times already this season, the Jets were able to claw back into the contest, eventually going on to win the game.
Copp (two goals and two assists), Stastny (one goal and one assist) and Ehlers (one goal and three assists) combined for 10 points in the win. Ehlers (11) is one point back of Connor McDavid and Mitch Marner for the league lead in points and one goal (5) back of Max Pacioretty and Mikko Rantanen for the lead league in points.
“Nikolaj, a big part of what’s going on with him is that he skates like a shooter now. He’s not looking to defer to the center-iceman, or looking to defer to his scoring wingers, he’s looking to be the shooter,… said head coach Paul Maurice. “He’ll move to holes to shoot the puck.…
The line brings a little bit of everything to the table. Skill, speed, poise, a strong hockey IQ, and a responsible two-way game. Something every NHL coach wants to see from their second line.
With Pierre-Luc Dubois’ Jets debut soon to come, where he fits into the lineup remains to be seen. The Jets didn’t trade Patrik Laine to bring in Dubois and ask him to play third line minutes. Dubois should have a top-six role, and likely will at some point.
But for the time being, breaking up the league’s hottest line would be a big mistake by Maurice. With or without Dubois, it would be in the Jets best interest to keep the line together and let them ride this hot streak out.
The magic they’ve created in just over 40 minutes of time on ice together has been fun to watch.