There's something wrong with the Jets. It's not that they can't play hockey well, it's not that they aren't having some chances, nor is it an issue of talent but given their record most people watching this team would be hard pressed to say they serve a 7-3-1 record.

That's a tough opening thought but right now the truth is that this team is being somewhat carried by a bak-up goalie and some timely but maybe not deserved scoring. Last night's game in Detroit was more of the same type of play that has caused many Jets fans and observers to be somewhat concerned about what they see.

At even strength the Jets won the Corsi battle but only due to a 20 minute period (the second) where they out-chanced the Wings 19-6 at 5 vs 5. The first and third periods were the ones where the Jets simply let the opposition bring it to them despite being in a 1-1 tie.

Wheeler and Scheifele are off and while they started with Laine the young Finn was moved to the 4th line as Perreault was moved up to the second line as the blender came out yet again. All for the same reasons- the chemistry is not right and it doesn't take statistics to see it. Is this not something that needs to be worked upon in practice, during a time where you had six straight games at home? These issues were apparent then, but the solution was simply moving two players not looking at significant change.

Teachable Moments

4th Laine

— Alan (@sliiiiip) October 27, 2018

Something has to be worked on with Laine. Pick any one of the glaring concerns, defensive zone, stick handling, passing, skating, or anything else and get this kid's head straight. He's lost he's not adapting to the attention he garners and frankly his teammates are not responding well either.

The bigger problem that is not specific to Laine is this team is often static (not TLC) when trying to create offense. The formations are predictable and easy to defend and the Jets are no secret anymore, and Patrik Laine is going to get some serious attention now. This is on Maurice and Compton. They need to adjust systems and give the kids some guidance but also the rest of the team too and all lines. When Gretzky used to get shadowed he would go pick up another player himself. While teams employ more zone coverage than ever before there are ways to defeat the zone and Laine especially needs help with that. But given his play of late Laine should be on the 4th line but it's on the him and coaches to work through this and find a solution to what ails him.

The transition game is a mess and by these eyes it has to do with many forwards leaving the zone too early and not in synch with the defense. The pass comes too early or too late, the forwards are not in position and turnovers abound. Wheeler in particular is struggling in this capacity as well with his speed. For years the choppy-skating Wheeler could use his speed and get around defenses but he's not getting the puck in prime position nor does he seem to have his pace of previous years. Something's up because there's no zoom zoom.

Brossoit played well again and given some of the zone coverage by the Jets he played spectacularly particular in some PP situation when his team could not even manage to come back and help while they were on the man advantage. Brossoit may have only faced 28 shots last night and even the high danger chances were not as frequent as what Howard faced the young keeper had to be sharp.

So what happens tonight? The Jets come back to play the Leafs in Toronto with all the pomp and circumstance that comes with the regular Saturday night gammon Toronto. The Leafs have not played since beating the Jets in Winnipeg on Wednesday and are probably itching to prove their dominance in front of the home crowd tonight.

6 Questions for tonight

1. Where do you start Laine?

Should the message and penance still be playing with Roslovic and Lemieux? If this is the case why not put Petan in, drop Lemieux and let Roslovic play right wing where he is obviously more comfortable. Laine can be on his off side so you get Laine- Petan Roslovic.

2. How does this team get more from Perreault?

Move him up already and figure out what this team wants in a 4th line. Maurice is clearly sensitive to Perreault's preference to play left wing before centre. If that's the case then it means moving Ehlers over off the second line LW slot. Assuming Laine stays on the 4th line.

3. Which Trouba shows up tonight?

Jacob Trouba's game this season has been filled with moments of brilliance with troubling indecision and lack of awareness. He's absolutely essential to any success the Jets will have, especially given the absence of puck-moving Enstrom who was so underrated by the fan base. His departure is a whole other topic of conversation for later given what fans are seeing.

4. Can Hellebuyck bring his A-game?

In 8 games Connor Hellebuyck has a .907save percentage. He's either amazing or 'meh' That number is buoyed by three games of .963 .941 and .976 every other game he has not been over .900 so needless to say it's time to start earning that big contract.

5. Will Kyle Dubas show up to scout Tyler Myers?

If you did not see the news from Pierre Lebrun there will apparently be a plethora of suitors for the lanky defender if he hits the open market. Maybe Dubas, in his quest to find more defense wants to see him again in person? Some of us can only dream.

6. While not a question here's what I would do for lines if I was Maurice.

Connor Scheifele Ehlers
Perreault, Little Wheeler
Copp, Lowry Tanev
Laine Petan Roslovic

Big congrats to Dustin Byfgulien for getting his 500th point in a game-winning goal. Hopefully there are more to come from the big guy.

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