The Jets are back in action tonight at the MTS Centre after 17 days away from the rink due to the Tim Horton’s Roar of the Rings curling event. Between stops at their main hub the Jets managed a 4-2 record over 6 games as they had their chance to Feast on the East.
So now they are home, it’s bitter cold out in Winnipeg with wind-chill temps hovering around -40C/F and the realities of family, wives, girlfriends and home now taking full hold on the team. Expect a rough landing tonight, as the greeting party at the gate is the strong St. Louis Blues.
These kinds of games are classic let down games and with a team as affected by sports ADHD as the Jets no one should be surprised their minds are elsewhere when time comes to get back to work. It’s a pretty sad state of affairs when the narrative comes down to this level. But what of the Dr. Jettyl and Mr. Hyde team exudes faith in a strong performance tonight?
Face it Jets fans you just never know what you are going to get with this group. Ever.
Aside from the usual consistent inconsistency that we so frequently talk about with this group, is there anything else to discuss?
Would the real Blake Wheeler please stand up?
Who is this guy? Is he simply a guy who needs 35 games before he’s ready to go or has his ‘game’ been outed and now easily defended against? It’s time for the 5.7 million dollar man to stand up and play some meaningful hockey. It’s too bad his salary can’t be pro-rated for when he actually plays a game with some desire as he did on Saturday.
When does day-to-day become week-to-week?
Todd Cordell pointed this out on Twitter today and he’s right. However, Todd is not totally familiar with the Jets management’s penchant for the most ambigious timelines due to injury. The fact is Kane is out long than anyone expected and that should be concerning for one reason alone- how is this guy ever going to develop some consistency to his game if injured? While not a guy seen as becoming known for injuries like say…Bogosian, he seems to be hurt more frequently. The problem with Kane is he wants big things, his fans want big things and the guy is totally capable of delivering big things but nothing seems to be going right for him. So yeah, cue some trade rumours then.
Heritage Classic 2016!
It’s coming to place so far into a deep freeze right now it’s debatable whether you could actually get people out to it. Okay, that’s a stretch but when that date is settled should a deep freeze hit like it has the past week people are going to freak right out! I guess the half-heated/covered press box was not too much an issue for the NHL or they see so much money coming they don’t care. This is going to be big though and don’t underestimate the ability of Winnipeg to get behind something as potentially exciting as the Heritage Classic.
Lots of thought about who the opposition team might be with Chicago and Minnesota at the top but I’ll throw two curve balls out there. First what about Edmonton and a classic WHA rivalry renewed? Or…
Quebec City. Yes they have no team but by 2016 they might and would that not be a great way to do a Heritage Classic with two teams that had left and then come back? It’s a long shot for sure but don’t rule it out as anything is possible and that match up might make the best storyline of all!
Keys to the Game
Minimize odd man rushes when on the PP Score on the PP Find success along the boards and get possession deep in Blues zone Better offensive zone entries Win more battles.
The one thing that has to be noted about the Jets play from their recent road trip is that when doing simple things well it helps them achieve far more than doing a few really big things. A few guys on the team could learn from Chris ‘KISS’ Thorburn. He’s doing more on a line with Jokinen and Setoguchi by “keeping it simple stupid… than trying to be something he is not.
That last though may be the precursor to what so many find difficult to pin down with the Jets, their identity. Take a look at Thorburn and use him as an example of excelling at what you are not what you think you should be. Perhaps Blake Wheeler could use a bit of time talking to the wild-haired journeyman.