It's almost impossible to get away from the 'effort narrative' with the Winnipeg Jets. While it is hard to quantitate in terms of value and effect the fans know when it is there and when it is not, at least they think they do. It's this same narrative or story that supports the 'consistently inconsistent' identity of the Jets, an identity that no teams wants to have earned or created.
So why is an early December game in south Florida so important?
Well in terms of the standings it's not, as the Jets have a long way to go before they can be considered possible wild card contenders in the tough western conference. However, as this game relates to the Jets it's really, really important because it's a chance to get greedy, shake off the past and hopefully ingrain some good habits.
The Jets are running, for them at least, a solid streak having gone 3-1 on this six game road trip so far and 5-3-2 in the last last 10 for a .600 points %. That's a step in the right direction for a team as woefully inconsistent. Now they have a chance to deliver some hope to their fans and push themselves back into the wild card hunt.
Florida is 4-5-1 in their last 10 and have lost three in a row. The next opponent Tampa is 4-5-1 as well and have lost 2 straight. Combined they are 12-9-4 against the West for a rare positive record against what most consider a much stronger conference. However the Jets have had success against the two former division rivals and with their recent consistent play could take another two games to have a very good road trip.
The problem is...
It's the phrase that haunts so many Jets fans as with every silver lining with the team there is often just a touch of grey. The Jets have had 2 days of sunshine, palm trees and sand between the toes and are probably one of the teams most frequently distracted from the 'task at hand'. But something's changing with them. The Thanksgiving day practice in Philadelphia had some surly words between coach, players and the captain with little result but yesterday the coach was not involved in the practice melee.
During a drill Mark Stuart and Anthony Peluso dropped the gloves before jawing with each other and before punches were thrown the two were separated. It's the kind of thing that used to be far more common in practices in years gone by; two players battling hard looking to impress and keep their positions.
With the challenge of waiving, sitting and moving guys in the NHL along with the potential for injury from unnecessary physical effort practices are a far cry from the past. Not so for the Jets yesterday as Peluso, a guy fighting for ice time, apparently was pushing the drill and his effort beyond the norm, perhaps looking to keep in the notice of the coach?
Whatever it was lays known between Stu and Peluso who talked it over after and have mended fences. The point though is that some guys on this team are not sitting on their laurels and that is the right attitude and perspective to have. If Peluso wants more ice time he needs to show Noel he's ready to go for it, in games and practice. That's a good problem to have and if the rest of the team has a problem too bad, up your game.
The question still is there, who shows up tonight the snarly practice Jets or the casual Black Friday Jets? LAst season the Jets faced a decimated Panthers team with 9 AHL players starting and lost! They didn't show up, care or notice that the game was worth 2 points and that was not the only time they mailed in it in Florida. They also dropped a brutal 8-3 loss in Tampa, a game if you recall they never decided to play until midway in the second period. That's the concern tonight is the game just an extension of the holiday or is it going to be treated with the importance that is due?
Evander Kane is still listed as day-to-day with an LBI and will not play tonight.
Jim Slater is still a ways off and not skating yet.
Bogosian is still out with a groin injury but expecting to begin skating soon.
That being said will the Thorburn experiment continue and can we gain anything from it? If we once again see the wild-haired winger get into the dirty areas and work on the boards to feed the puck out we may have another topic for conversation. What about goaltending? The Jets have not allowed more than 2 goals in only 2 of their last 8 games and Montoya gets the start tonight.
The Jets erupted for 5 goals against the Rangers with Oli Jokinen netting a pair the first 5 goal game in regulation since they beat Nashville 5-0 almost a month ago.
In fact even the most pessimistic fan has to feel somewhat positive about this small run they have gone on- no matter how elementary it has been. These same fans are the same ones who are betting the wheels come flying off any game now with a return to the predictable inconsistency.
That's why this game is important, why the Jets needs to make a statement by what they do tonight. Another half-assed effort and resulting loss will only bring out the naysayers and re-start the second guessing by the media and amongst the players. This team needs to feel some confidence, realize success but they have to do it and that requires some progression and leaving bad habits behind.
No need to get excited about this game as a fan but minimizing the importance of beating Florida and what that means within the team and to future opposition is silly. The Panthers are 11 points back of the Jets with one game in hand and have lost three straight. It's not time for the ugly Jets to show up and be the slump buster but that's the fear when these seemingly simple games take on a much greater importance. That, dear reader, is exactly what tonight is.
Enjoy the game