That was close
For those out there who believed the Jets played a good game, a game where they controlled the play and one where they took it to one of the league’s top possession teams I've got news for you. They didn't.
They just got more shots.
The Canucks out-classed the Jets in their 4th game in 6 nights and only game at home. While the Corsi numbers say Jets were ahead marginally, the Fenwick say the Canucks had a larger edge. My take was that the Canucks blew the Jets apart with possession and were lucky not to be up by more than 1 goal at the end.
In fairness the Jets had their chances but the Canucks pushed the play in the Jets’ zone to control the ice, cycle the puck and generally make life miserable for Pavelec because his defense couldn't keep up.
Take the eventual game-winning goal. The Canucks moved it around the perimeter and eventually had the Jets looking like an imploding star before going super-nova. Tanev easily stepped up and before the Jets could come out to challenge the puck was in the net.
My theory on this game was that the Canucks would not so much achieve better scoring chances for themselves but would make it so Winnipeg defeated itself and I think that partially came true. The Jets have a hard time defending against teams that cycle and puck-control game and the Sedins have practically owned that term in the post 2004-05 lockout. It was not going to be a good match-up and in then end the results match my theory. A team that can control the puck against the Jets will win.
Yes it’s scientific and based on hard-tested data.
Sometimes all you need is the numbers to back up what you see and that’s it- you don’t have to dig too deep after. That’s how I see this game. It’s just another 1-goal loss that could have been a win or a point if the Jets were better. They aren’t better yet and I’m not going back to the ‘how’ to get better. It’s Christmas and that horse needs the gift of reprieve.
So what have you now? What happens tonight against the Oilers.
The Jets should be scared and ready for anything as the Oilers hit rock bottom on Saturday in a 6-0 loss to the Blues. That’s one thing the Jets can take pride in, unless it’s Chicago they don’t look as inept as the Oilers do night in and out.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the man-child Gazdic goes after Trouba tonight. The rookie defenseman made his presence known in the first game of the season by nearly decapitating Hall. The Oilers will probably remember that more than playing the game tonight. That’s just the kind of team they are and it’s the kind of team Winnipeg needs to beat. If you want some stability on your own roster you have to be able to overcome Oilers-bad on a regular basis.
Don’t look now but Mark Scheifele is 6th in rookie scoring with 18 points and only 7 back of Hertl and 2 on MacKinnon. Jacob Trouba is also pushing up the rookie standings for defensmen and one hast to wonder what his stats line would be like if he were not seeing time with Stuart.
The talk in Winnipeg is all about FSK Frolik, Scheifele, Kane and their emergence as a dependable second line. Let’s not anoint them as much more as we’re dealing with small sample size but there is reason to feel optimistic.
Scheifele has been a hot topic all season and with his recent surge in play, 7 points in last 5 games, it’s fair to say the kid is getting his stride. Jim Toth from CJOB did a piece on Scheifele and soon after the kid started his run. The point Toth made was that he’s not lacking confidence and he’s not needing the AHL. It was met with criticism, from yours truly too, but Toth was right. Scheifele’s game is not complete but he has show the coach that he can be trusted in certain times and situations that he may not have seen before.
More interestingly where have the hands and dangles been hiding? Those moves are what I notice most and I wonder if Noel and company have told Mark that he can be more creative and try more things. Last night he was practically a Jedi against Bieksa, basically making the veteran, in his 500th game, do things no vet should- “that’s not the pass you want to make….
Throw in Frolik, a player who goes after the puck anywhere on the ice and Kane, a guy who wants the puck all the time, there may be some interesting times ahead. It’s about space and the Jets have had few players who can create it but that is changing on the second line and the points/benefits are racking up.
Take the goal Kane scored last night. Yes it was a PP goal but he was alone in the low slot, a place that usually has some one close by in the ‘box’. He wired it through but that was because he had space and Frolik and Scheifele are providing him more room to move than ever before this season.
So what happens tonight? A battle of two teams fighting to break free of the stigmas attached to them? It could be an entertaining game, it could be a dog’s breakfast. That’s what you get with two teams who’s consistency level is suspect. I think the Jets are hungrier and better so 4-2 Winnipeg and McTavish gets a few days to work the phones over Christmas trying to solve one many woes the Oilers have.