It was a yawner. Be honest. There was no redeemable entertainment value in the game last night at the MTS Centre, one that saw the Jets extract a rather mechanical 3-1 victory over the Devils. The right things happened and finally the Jets found some long hidden luck in front of the opposition net.
The story heading into the game was that of whether MArk Scheifele would play and what his usage would be. All this after leaving the game in Minnesota on Sunday with an apparent knee issue. He returned but in a different role anchoring the third line with Adam Lowry and Michael Frolik. The resulted in the return of Ladd, Little Wheeler on the top line and new second line of Kane, Perreault and Byfuglien. Readers of this space know my feelings of getting Perreault up to the second line to help generate offense.
It started to happen and it didn't take long. Perreault was buzzing and Kane and Byfuglien were the beneficiaries of his nifty puck work. It wasn't a one-way street either, Perreault missed on a few one timers close in the slot from feeds from both line mates. In his post game comments even Paul Maurice was cautiously impressed by what he saw from the trio. This line has some jam and they played like it too and regardless of Scheifele's knee status this trio deserves more time together.
That being said Scheifele did score on the second after Perreault opened the scoring. The line with 55 between Lowry and Frolik was solid, very solid and Lowry continues to grow and improve as a player. Having the defensively savvy Frolik and Scheifele with him may be a better fit than along side Perreault and Buff. Only time will tell and like the second line from last night- this group deserves some time too.
Grades
The Jets have now played 20 games, are third in the Central division and in playoff position. Who saw this coming? It's time to give out some early grades for this group. There won't be a detailed player evaluation, we'll save that for mid-terms.
Ladd- B Slowish start but solid and reliable again Wheeler- B+ What more does he have to do for this team? Has more PIM than 22, 19 and 14 & points Little- B+ Faces the tough competition, always reliable and rarely sits in the box
Buff- B Increasingly getting better at forward, needs points to come though Scheifele- B Still has trouble in physical game and not getting pushed off puck Kane- A Injury set him back but has less O-zone starts than ever, faces toughest competition and goes all out every shift.
Lowry- B In a rookie season what more could you ask of him in first 20 games? Plenty of upside still Perreault-A Points are not there, yet. Driving play makes everyone around him better, get him more TOI Frolik-B+ SCored some clutch goals, can be used anywhere in top 9, always dependable
Thorburn- C if he's not going to fight or make hits does he need to play? Slater- C+ nothing flashy, takes his role seriously and does his job Peluso-C If sitting in the press box and not the penalty box what’s he there for?
Galiardi- C+ Chips in, adds some speed but not scoring. Not a liability either. Halischuk- C+ Not getting in lineup much, about the same as above.
Entrom- B+ Is struggling to find shooting lane and confidence, still solid positioning Bogosian B- started off slow and finding his groove on defense, is there offense to come? Trouba- B He’s not the rookie of last year but seems to be finding chances, plays with an anchor Stuart- C is anchoring Trouba. Has trouble keeping up with play but still has odd moment of brilliance. Postma- B- Has skill, can move puck and probably deserves more TOI than he gets Clitsome- C+ Maybe a bit generous but when he’s on he’s competent but just not frequently enough Pardy- B Not getting a lot of games but knows, accepts and excels in his role, everyone loves a Pardy-dangle.
Pavelec- B+ I’d like to give him an A but old feelings die hard. Hutchinson A Is he the best back-up in the league? Playing great and reliable.
For the team it’s a surprising grade. They gave fans hope early but then went 2-5 before going on an 8 game point streak at 6-0-2. Since that turn around they have been ‘in’ every game. No nights off, just periods as evidenced in Minnesota, but they are different. There is an identity forming and it appears more players than ever actually ‘give and f’ about the games while they are playing. The biggest change is fitness and after an early low to start the season the new regime seems to be beneficial. There are far less odd-man rushes against and the opposition rarely gets free without a quick back check. The Jets get a B+
This team has surprised in ways many did not predict or see. I’d like to give an A but that would be almost too much and not indicative of entire 20 games and that powerplay. But a B+ is fair and well deserved but let’s be honest, they deserve it. Now we wait and see if what we got in 20 games, a .575 points percentage, is sustainable. Right now the Jets are on pace for 94 points over 82 games a, 10-point improvement after last season. If this were last season that would have given them the 8th place and wild card spot by 3 points of over Dallas.