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Jets drop game 1 with late goal allowed

April 11, 2019, 10:24 AM ET [21 Comments]
Peter Tessier
Winnipeg Jets Blogger •Winnipeg Jets Writer • RSSArchiveCONTACT
From the start it was pretty easy to see the metaphorical 'switch' had been flipped. The home team came out with an energy and passion rarely displayed or witnessed since the dawn of 2019. There was physical play from unexpected players like Myers and then there was Byfuglien being his giant self too. However, that play did not last and with a 1-0 lead entering into the third period the Jets were hanging on for a win despite having other good chances to increase the lead where either post or Binnington prevented a goal or two.

The energy from the team was not sustained and as the third period came the gaps allowed by the Jets defence were increasing, the back check was slowing and the passes were becoming more difficult and desperate. To that point, during Berube's post-game press conference he was asked about what was said between the second and third period and his answer was almost too comfortable. It was as if he didn't want to tip his hand to the adjustments they made.

Whatever those words and tactical decisions were, they worked as the Blues took over the period from a possession standpoint and shot volume one too. The Jets had a lot of dump and no chase, and really no answer for what the Blues gave them. In the end the visitors tied it and then won with a shot from the slot that almost seemed an eventuality as the Jets just never seemed to close that off for most the game.

Give the Blues credit as they played a disciplined game and adhered to their tactics and system and wore the Jets down in some fashion. Not because of overtly physical play but because they made the Jets work harder and chase the play when the game mattered most- the third period.


The good

Hellebuyck- nothing else to add there. He was good.

Copp Little Laine

Probably the best forward line for the Jets. While they were underwater for shot attempts they were excellent in scoring chances and their expected goals probability.

Lindholm Lowry Roslovic

There were some moments of unfamiliarity that happened with this new trio but they had chances, some good ones and managed to keep the puck going the other way with the second best number of scoring chances.

Myers

He came with physical play that had an effect on the game and he had some smart back check and defensive plays in desperation. Best game for him in a long time. Who knew he had a mean streak?

The bad

Connor Scheifele Wheeler

Yes Scheifele could have tied the game late but he could not get the puck up over Binnington's leg but that did not undo the malaise the line had. Wheeler was off, and while it has been asked before it was noticeable last night as he could not find his way around a defender on the few rushes he had. The Blues seem to know that too. Connor was nearing disaster at times with his play and given the number of game he had last year in the playoffs he should be beyond that stage of nervousness.

Ehlers Hayes Perreault

Hayes was probably the saving grace of this line and while they weren't good saying they were bad almost seems unfair. They were 'meh'. Borderline bad with moments of brilliance but what should be expected from another trio that has not real time together? They did not do themselves any favors with possession and that seems a bit surprising given the talent there.

The ugly

Kulikov

He was a liability all night and his ineptitude led to the game-winning goal. The experiment is over and if Maurice has any insight to what is happening with this team Kulikov is shelved for Beaulieu immediately.


Paul Maurice

He got out-coached in the third period and put the team in a position to lose. Why is that? Well we'd have to have some one ask a question or more about the following:

Why do the Jets only exit the zone along the boards? This allows the opposition to pressure and force a pass only in one direction.

Why is there so much dump of the puck and no chase?

Was there no reason to mix up the lines when the Blues clearly were pushing and controlling the play at critical times?

How come the Jets put 3 players below the goal line to cover the puck in their own end leaving the slot unprotected?

You like to keep a man low in the offensive zone but if they do not get the puck it creates an imbalance through the neural zone for transition which is harder to defend, this has been exploited for two months do you plan to fix it?

I'm sure there's more so please feel free to chime in. Perhaps the PP?


Paul Maurice has to look in the mirror now and realize that his vision of what works is not working and if he's going to run Scheifele's line up against O'Reilly's then he needs to find matchup's that favor the Jets in other areas. Last night is was mainly a wash. It's also time to split up Wheeler and Scheifele particularly if neither are going to win a battle on the boards.


Connor Scheifele Laine
Ehlers Hayes Wheeler
Perreault Little Roslovic
Copp Lowry Lindholm

If Tanev comes back consider the bottom two lines like this:

Perreault Little Lindholm
Coppl Lowry Tanev

Run the bottom line against O'Reilly and let Lowry muscle him around and make life miserable with Copp as his henchman. Lindholm was the most effective Jet at 5vs5 last night with shot volume and seemed to cover the ice well in his role.

There's some tough decisions to make for the head coach and it's better to try them earlier than later to find out what works or what doesn't. However any change in lines is only going to yield partial results as the Blues, like many other teams, have figured out the Jets system, or lack of one so something needs to happen there and that's a much larger thing to change this late in the year.
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