The 6 Game Road Trip Starts Today
After over a month at home with only two games on the road the Jets embark on what might be the most significant portion of their schedule now, a six-game sweep through the Metro division then finishing up against the Predators. Given the importance of points right now with how the Wild and Stars have been surging as well as the play of the Predators these six games could significantly affect the Jets in where they stand in 11 days.
Considering the importance of this trip what are the expectations and what are reasonable expectation to consider for the team? The Jets last played Carolina in October and beat them 2-1 at home. They lost 3-1 at home the Rangers on February 11th and beat the Devils 5-2 in November. Against the Flyers they won in a shootout after finishing 2-2 and then beat the Capitals in OT back in February and no fans forgets the game last week against the Predators with Paul Stastny and the 6-5 loss.
But where do the Jets compare to these teams they are about to face? What can the data tell us about the upcoming road trip and level of success the Jets could have?
Here is some data to consider.
In the above Winnipeg is covered by Nashville.
What we can see from these three charts (with thanks to Bill Comeau) is the Jets match up well with the opposition and they should they are a top team in the league, currently tied for 5th. Only Nashville is ahead of them and Washington is four points back. The Flyers are six points behind, the Devils are 11 and the Hurricanes are 16 with the Rangers 19 points back. But that does not mean anything as the standings only tell you what happened not what will.
Here are some more charts to consider comparing the Jets to the opposition.
In the above the chart the Jets seem to match well with the upcoming opposition in regards to shots against and that could be the kind of play they need to weather the storm of the next 11 days. That being said the Jets also need to do other things well too. So assuming they play to their current production of this season which would work out to 8 points over the 6 games. Where do those points come from though?
2 versus Carolina tonight.
2 versus New York
Loss versus New Jersey
OT loss versus Flyers
2 versus Washington
SO loss to Preds
Sounds simply enough but as we know from the past two games the Jets have to make some adjustments and hopefully having some luck too. The return of Steve Mason is possible as is Michael Hutchinson and they should see some action to give Hellebuyck a needed break. There is also the concern as Hellebuyck has played nearly as many games as he did all last season 53 vs 56. What’s going to be left in the tank after 18 more games and likely at least 10 more starts?
To look at the Jets in the most simple sense is these games can be seen as an indicator of if the team is able to adjust and/or eliminate some habits that have credit into their collective game. That’s also on the coach and he too has to take some responsibility for the significance of this trip and these games.