Jets get a possible two out of four points after the mandatory break and then the All-Star weekend. Take it and run as they were outplayed both games and if not for the Connor's- Kyle and Hellebuyck- the Jets likely come home with nothing.
In the Philadelphia game where Laurent Brossoit started and played will the Jets maybe did not get the bounces that the Flyers did, and perhaps not the officiating either but Carter Hart also had a lot to do with the outcome. Tonight in Boston it was Connor Hellebuyck's time to shine as he stopped 35 of 38 shots including all three attempts in the shoot out. All it took was Kyle Connor's third goal, the filthy one in the shootout, to get the win. Oh, it also took his 2 goals in 34 seconds too.
The Jets are a bit listless and simply because of the talent depth on the team they are able to get a win here and there without having to play their best hockey but there's reason to have concerns. The second line, with Patrik Laine and his 10 minutes of ice time, were hardly a factor and when that is the case the Jets are a lot like the Bruins, one true line and some decent pieces after. Had that been Rask in net would the outcome be different?
Had the Jets had Byfuglien and Ehlers in the line up would it have been different?
Without going back and dissecting both game it's becoming easier to see that the Jets are missing a bit of something special. The numbers, particularly their Expected Goal percentage, is supporting that belief. The effects of not having Byfuglien and Ehlers is piling up and when teams can work on shutting down the top line the Jets are far less dangerous. Add into the equation that Buff and Ehlers both push the play for the Jets and it's why they are stagnating a bit makes sense. Now what's going to be done about it?
It was expected that Byfuglien would be back by the all-star break or just after, well that's now and so far no sign of the big guy. Ehlers was not expected until February and he too is not seen although it is confirmed that they have been working out. With the trade deadline 29 days away it seems that Kevin Cheveldayoff has some time to gauge what is going on with his team and will await his injured players return. This gives head coach Paul Maurice some tool to tinker with but you either believe he will tinker in the right way or not.
However, what about the trade deadline? Can the Jets add something. As we all know the Jets can take Muzzin off their shopping list but were they even looking or considering him? Given the play of the Jets it seems they will want to see what a healthy roster does before making any aggressive or costly moves and that seems fair but while they wait is this not a time to understand what they have?
Let Niku play and see how he holds up for a few games, or more. Does Joe Morrow really bring enough to warrant the rotating roster door on others? What happens when Ehlers returns- does that drop Perreault down to the 4th line with Roslovic and Appleton or Lemieux?
Given that the Rangers had 2 scouts at the game in Philly it makes sense that the Jets would look to bolster their forward depth and the two most obvious targets are Hayes and Zuccarello. Both will be costly but as we all know the Jets might not be in this position to go all-in any time soon given their salary structure and player age-gap.
That being said there's not time to panic but if Ehlers and Buff don't return soon there's going to be a little heat on Chevy and Maurice to break this team out its doldrums and that won't be easy given the upcoming schedule.