Last night at Bell MTS Place was not a bad game for the Jets. They lost 1-0 to a motivated and struggling St. Louis Blues team but that loss was not really the fault of anyone. A knuckleball or bouncing puck slipped past Connor Hellebuyck and that was all the visitors needed to hold on and win.
There were concerns for the Jets- 3 power plays with no shots on net and through the third period it took nearly 11 minutes before the Jets managed a shot on Jake Allen. The Jets had significant control of shot attempts with 56% and they had a magnificent dominance in scoring chances with 71% of the share, (all stats at 5vs5) and they had total control in high danger chances at 100%.
So what went wrong?
Here's a theory and it seems that the Jets are looking to find the best shot to take and not looking to create the best chance to score.
On the PP the Blues keyed in on Laine like a fly on honey. They gave him no room and were prepared to sacrifice their bodies in front of his cannon but Laine didn't do much either, nor did Wheeler or Scheifele, to adjust. Is that their fault or that of the coaching staff?
Laine was static on the left side in 'Ovechkin formation' and when Wheeler had the puck it was obvious he was looking to thread it to Laine or slip it to Scheifele in the slot. The Blues defended it well and the result was nothing for the Jets.
Wheeler at times passed up obvious shots on the PP and 5vs5 that could have led to goals or a better scoring chance much like who Little tied the game vs the Rangers and Lowry scored against the Islanders. Sometimes getting the puck on net when you have players ready is better than waiting for the perfect shot and it seems the Jets forgot that aspect of hockey. The Blues did not and while lucky the bouncing knuckleball shot led to the game's only goal.
The Jets PP is in a bit of a lull right now but it's not dire yet, and it was not reasonable to expect it to click at over 30% for the season. The problem is that it's a bit stale and shuffling the personnel may not do anything to change results if the formations and tactics do not chance either. This is not to say the changes must be a complete overhaul but they have to adjust enough to counter the defense system employed against them.
The bright side to that game was the performance of Connor Hellebuyck who seemed very steady if rather under-unchallenged. There are going to be games like that and Jake Allen is capable of stealing games as much as he is of blowing them. The Jets have three more games at home before going on the road and tomorrow vs another team, Philadelphia, who has had some management changes and bounce back will be another test of focus and tactics.
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