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...yes they are and frankly if Jets fans stopped watching with their hearts, hopes and prayers they would see something so familiar, the Jets from last year. Except they are wearing St. Louis Blues uniforms.
Perhaps coming to that realization is what makes this series so difficult for many Jets fans. It's that the opposition is who the Jets were last year as it relates to identity and play. Tenacious, opportunistic and disciplined they are and it's everything the Jets aren't but were last year.
The better team is winning and it's not up for debate. Sure the games have been close but have they needed to be? Last night Connor Hellebuyck looked like the goalie from January giving up two stoppable goals, ones he at least needs to get a piece of in some form or another. However, what happened in front of him is just as concerning as it really does appear the Jets do not have a system or strategy in place to beat the Blues. If you dear read see one, please explain to me how it works as I'm lost trying to understand it?
How does a team move the puck up the ice when the wingers are at the far blue line and the centre starts at the net with the two defence and the path is taken up the boards?
Why is there gap control so wide by the defence that you could drive two zambonis lengthwise between them?
The dump in with no recovery and hoping that a player can get around the boards to retrieve a puck when they are at a dead stop at the blue line?
This can go on but it only changes when the Jets put some extra effort in, and that they did last night only to be stymied by Binnington and utterly defeated when they gave up a goal shortly after their push.
The shot volume is concerning on so many levels but most of all it's the hesitation to shoot and or make a pass. They are looking for some one or something to set up and it's not there and the Blues literally take the puck from them.
The Jets play a puck control game so they can find the best shot possible but the Blues are taking the time needed to be effective away from them and the result is chaos. There is no counter answer and with a half decent forecheck by the time the Jets move to the offensive zone the have to change on a shift. It's a repeated cycle with no end in sight.
What doesn't matter anymore is the talent on the team, the individual players or anything else as that's not working and it's not about bounces or luck. The pendulum will have to swing fast and far to correct that variable and how likely is that to happen?
The current state of the Jets comes down to one team adhering to a system and it being better than what the Jets have. It needs to be changed and that falls squarely on the coach. It's irrelevant on whether Paul Maurice is a good or bad coach. Agreeing or disagreeing on that question does nothing to solve the problem. There is another way to look at that question though.
Can the players solve this or do they need tactical changes from the coaches?
If this is on the players then how do they do more or change or anything to beat what they can't seem capable of doing? If it's on the coach then what can he do to change tactics to improve his player's probability of success?
It's pretty easy to answer one of those questions compared to the other because if the players have to change what they do who is giving directions for that change- them?
So is a short series? Maybe but given how the Jets have played the past two games and down the stretch since the trade deadline what part of their record or performance makes anyone believe they can win 4 of the next five games before St. Louis wins 2?
Winnipeg Jets Blogger •Winnipeg Jets Writer • 
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