Let's not read too much into a win over the Blue Jackets but sometimes playing a desperate team is the worst kind of team to face when you are trying to get your own rhythm going. Columbus tried but they came up short.
The scoring all happened in the first period, for both teams until late in the third when Hartnell potted one, but that's all the Jets needed. They kept the Blue Jackets to 17 shots while launching 27 at their two goalies. It was a solid road effort and the same thing that needs to happen tonight.
The Hab's Carey Price is now out for a week after an injury affected him from the game in Edmonton. That's a huge advantage for the Jets but they certainly have not had much luck in Montreal since they came to Winnipeg from Atlanta in 2011. They have not won in the Bell Centre.
What happens tonight is that the Jets are in their third back -to-back game and they have won both of the previous games in this situation. The Jets will be licking their chops at the thought at not facing Price but Condon is 3-0 this season and hitting a .944 save percentage which is just as good as expected Jets starter Michael Hutchinson.
Special teams are a near wash with these two teams, much like the goaltenders, Jets PP 25% Habs PP 23.8% Jets PK 85.4% Habs PK 88.1%. Should penalties play a role in the way the game goes will one of these teams find an edge over the other?
What about line depth? Does Maurice go with Peluso again on the fourth line to add whatever it is he brings to the team, truculence? Is this the kind of match-up Maurice will see as a better fit for deft passer Nic Petan?
Once again though when playing a top teams the shots and shot attempts allowed will be something the Jets have to watch. They did a good job against the reeling Blue Jackets but as the concern was in the last column, going from the outhouse to the penthouse in terms of opposition can throw teams off.
Jets have to be feeling some confidence and the Canadiens have to be welcoming a return home and that can be a distracting thing when the mundane activities of life take over a player's attention. That's what the Jets need but hopefully none of them were distracted by what Montreal has to offer last night.