Peter Tessier: Jets drop game 1 with late goal allowed Jets drop game one in tight game for two periods as they faded down the stretch.

Looked to me like the Jets wanted to establish the physical play throughout the game.

Might lead to some scoring opportunities in a single game, but can certainly pay off over the course of a long series.

There's not a hair's difference between these two teams.

In all fairness, that blast by Byfuglien at the end of the game should have been in the back of the net. It was a near perfect set up and shot. Just a great save by Binnington.

On to game two.

During the intermission it was pointed out that the Blues were taking away the Laine and Scheifele passing lanes from Wheeler on the PP. If only they had another option that the Blues had to respect. Oh yeah, there's that Buff guy who continues to be on PP2 while Trouba does squat on PP1.

Beaulieu should be in for Kulikov next game. I'm also curious to see if Morrissey's ice time slowly starts increasing as he gets more games in. I'm guessing he only played 17 minutes because it was his first game back but didn't Buff play 24 in his first game back?

Little sets up Laine for the lone Jets goal ... they can play together

Kuli's short lease just got shorter ... enter Bowl-YOU

60 minutes ... 60 minutes ... not 57.5 .... someone mentioned it before ... patience ... just wait - the Jets will let up at some point

You can juggle lines all ya want ... each player needs to do his job ... lot's of iron last night but we need Scheifs scoring ... we need Connor scoring ... we need secondary scoring (which really hasn't been a problem) ... everyone needs to contribute - do your job

1 goal ain't gonna win many games ... holding opposition to 2 goals should do the trick ... sorry to be so simple but the math is simple

Will Maurice make adjustments to his lineup and how he uses his personal or will he stubbornly start game 2 with the same group and lines that started the first game? I agree that Kulikov didn't have a good game and should be replaced by Beaulieu or Niku. I liked your first idea for the lines and Buff being back on the 1st pp but if Roslovic comes out and he inserts Hendricks the Jets are doomed.

Just an observation but could the Jets recent 3rd period collapses be due to fatigue or lack of conditioning? It seems that they are often dragging, especially Scheifele's line, in the last 10 min of the 3rd period and playing in their own zone, afraid to lose instead of playing to win.

Close game. I wouldn't mind seeing Beualieu in for Kuli.

Good game for our goalie, Laine came to play. I wouldn't mind seeing Buff on #1 pp.

You could definitely see the Blues being patient and then turning up the heat in the 3rd. Game of inches with posts.

boxscore observations:

similar icetimes between Jets and Blues forward lines, exception is O'Reilly at about 25 minutes, Buff and Pieterangelo also around 25. Jets use all 6 d more regularly, blues more top 4.

Bozak and Perreault both appeared a lot in the boxscore with limited ice time, jets clearly more physical team.

If the series goes to six or seven games the balanced time approach and heavier game should be an edge for the jets. Finishing on Ptrangelo and O'Reilly is a priority.

Again no crash/bang dirty goals by the jets while Blues got two. a growth area for jets.

not buying the ideas that the jets are limited to breakouts along the boards, that there is systematically no chase on the dumps, that team is being coached to have 3 forwards low on d and most other reaches PT is manufacturing to generate some coach hate.

Jets breakouts have been a strength though sometimes breaking the other teams cycle and recovering the puck has been lacking enthusiasm, the team is favouring maintaining possession when entering the zone and the 3&4 lines have been good (with room for improvment) when they dump and chase. Three forwards deep happens when someone blows an assignment and overplays but really hasn't been a persistent issue.

I generally like the strategy of keeping lines together. This respects the players creativity to adapt and puts them in the best situation to make adjustments whether from the players themselves or from coaching staff. If there is frequent shuffling of lines what do you adjust from? There has to be a foundation of play from which to adjust and this comes from familiarity with linemates.

The Maurice is the problem mantra is stale, lets save it for post season.

Positives: Myers was great - physical presence all night. Benny was a force in front of the net & along the boards. Buff was good and Jomo was steady.

Copp, Little & Laine were good. Laine looked dangerous all night & used his body well. I thought Lowry, Par and Roz were good as well.

Helly looked steady all night.

Negatives: Trouba seemed to tire out as the game went on and Kuli needs to go ASAP - he's absolutely terrible. Bo needs to play, he's earned it.

I've been hard on 55 for the entire 2nd half of the season & have absolutely no idea how fans can be so critical of Laine (20-yrs old) and keep giving 55 a pass. 55 is in his prime, an assistant captain on this team and is expected to be a leader. He's a centre on our #1 line & on our 1st PP unit. His body language & constant whining to the refs is brutal to watch. He is losing puck battles all over the ice and refuses to get in front of the net. The penalty he took running the goalie was absolutely stupid and his response to it was embarrassing - stand up for yourself!
He made 1 good play last night and that was in the D-zone with about 5mins left in the 3rd.

Overall, good effort, good game to watch. I think each game in this series will be a coin flip.

Positives: Myers was great - physical presence all night. Benny was a force in front of the net & along the boards. Buff was good and Jomo was steady.

Copp, Little & Laine were good. Laine looked dangerous all night & used his body well. I thought Lowry, Par and Roz were good as well.

Helly looked steady all night.

Negatives: Trouba seemed to tire out as the game went on and Kuli needs to go ASAP - he's absolutely terrible. Bo needs to play, he's earned it.

I've been hard on 55 for the entire 2nd half of the season & have absolutely no idea how fans can be so critical of Laine (20-yrs old) and keep giving 55 a pass. 55 is in his prime, an assistant captain on this team and is expected to be a leader. He's a centre on our #1 line & on our 1st PP unit. His body language & constant whining to the refs is brutal to watch. He is losing puck battles all over the ice and refuses to get in front of the net. The penalty he took running the goalie was absolutely stupid and his response to it was embarrassing - stand up for yourself!
He made 1 good play last night and that was in the D-zone with about 5mins left in the 3rd.

Overall, good effort, good game to watch. I think each game in this series will be a coin flip.
- foxbat

No one is criticising Laine's game. Remember, this is a new season starting last nite. So far, the returning comments on Laine's game last nite was positive and he was fully engaged in the play.

Line #1 can up their game so don't know why you are presenting this "why does everyone criticise Laine angle". Regular season is over.

I'm presenting it because it has been a re-occurring issue since January and i'm tired of 55 getting a free-pass. The anlge is about how 55 constantly escapes criticism, not that Laine is criticized. I get that it's a 'new season', but you cannot ignore what's been happening with this team over the last few months and what was their downfall vs Vegas last year.

I was tremendously impressed with the Jets efforts last night. The game was very reminiscent of all those Nashville tilts we have had over the last 16 months. However, it was one of those goaltending duels and tight games where either team could have won it. I truly saw the Jets outplay and outhit the Blues and they also had way more high percentage chances. It's just one of those games where we lost a game we probably deserved. Certainly, luck hasn't found the Jets lately and the lack of calls on some obvious penalties didn't help us either.

It hurt to see the Blues score late but I was proud of the Jets at the same time. Its not a team I see rolling over and dying. They will come back even stronger for Game 2.

I was tremendously impressed with the Jets efforts last night. The game was very reminiscent of all those Nashville tilts we have had over the last 16 months. However, it was one of those goaltending duels and tight games where either team could have won it. I truly saw the Jets outplay and outhit the Blues and they also had way more high percentage chances. It's just one of those games where we lost a game we probably deserved. Certainly, luck hasn't found the Jets lately and the lack of calls on some obvious penalties didn't help us either.

It hurt to see the Blues score late but I was proud of the Jets at the same time. Its not a team I see rolling over and dying. They will come back even stronger for Game 2.
- jetsnation

well said.

Who comes out if Tanev plays? Roslovic or Lindholm?

With Hoosli singing the anthems on Friday, doesn't that mean the game is already won?

Jets are 5-0 when they sing the anthem.

I'm presenting it because it has been a re-occurring issue since January and i'm tired of 55 getting a free-pass. The anlge is about how 55 constantly escapes criticism, not that Laine is criticized. I get that it's a 'new season', but you cannot ignore what's been happening with this team over the last few months and what was their downfall vs Vegas last year.
- foxbat

I am feeling obligated to respond because I have been critical of Laine's efforts, especially when battling for 50/50 pucks, and fly by checks that manage neither the puck nor the player. I have been most critical of his apparent complacency with his game that doesn't seem to be trying to get quicker while the rest of the league is getting quicker. His professionalism needs to improve concerning training.

I am hopeful that this new season results in an awakening for him resulting in being harder to play against, moving into lanes and shooting more. As for training it's up to him this summer, hopefully he is not playing fortnite until 3am during the playoffs.

As for 55 there is not nearly as much to critic. He put up a point per game, lead the team in scoring last post-season, plays against top players in all situations and has been OK even in what by his standards is a slump. He works hard and is getting better at choosing when to dig deeper, extends cycles, manages the puck well and is a true pro athlete 24/7. Whining? maybe. he is smart enough, he will figure out what arguments are salient and which battles are worth fighting. It's that pout when he 'whines' that makes sportscentre... and it's not that big a deal. I will wait for the memoirs book to come out before any conclusions about his relationship with Wheeler - they play well together

I was tremendously impressed with the Jets efforts last night. The game was very reminiscent of all those Nashville tilts we have had over the last 16 months. However, it was one of those goaltending duels and tight games where either team could have won it. I truly saw the Jets outplay and outhit the Blues and they also had way more high percentage chances. It's just one of those games where we lost a game we probably deserved. Certainly, luck hasn't found the Jets lately and the lack of calls on some obvious penalties didn't help us either.

It hurt to see the Blues score late but I was proud of the Jets at the same time. Its not a team I see rolling over and dying. They will come back even stronger for Game 2.
- jetsnation

Stats don't bear this out, Blues had more attempts and one more high danger attempt.

The score followed the advanced stats.

Jets did play a good game, but I think it's a false narrative to say they outplayed the Blues over the 60 minutes. I also don't think Binnington stole the game as him and Hellebuyck both played oustanding.

I do agree any team could have won it and have a lot of respect for the Jets.

I am feeling obligated to respond because I have been critical of Laine's efforts, especially when battling for 50/50 pucks, and fly by checks that manage neither the puck nor the player. I have been most critical of his apparent complacency with his game that doesn't seem to be trying to get quicker while the rest of the league is getting quicker. His professionalism needs to improve concerning training.

I am hopeful that this new season results in an awakening for him resulting in being harder to play against, moving into lanes and shooting more. As for training it's up to him this summer, hopefully he is not playing fortnite until 3am during the playoffs.

As for 55 there is not nearly as much to critic. He put up a point per game, lead the team in scoring last post-season, plays against top players in all situations and has been OK even in what by his standards is a slump. He works hard and is getting better at choosing when to dig deeper, extends cycles, manages the puck well and is a true pro athlete 24/7. Whining? maybe. he is smart enough, he will figure out what arguments are salient and which battles are worth fighting. It's that pout when he 'whines' that makes sportscentre... and it's not that big a deal. I will wait for the memoirs book to come out before any conclusions about his relationship with Wheeler - they play well together
- 2.0

This reminded me to also comment about Laine's game last night. Maurice has often been quoted as saying that " Laine is a big strong man" and once he gets some more age and experience he will be very tough to compete against. Last night was one of the first times I've seen that part of the game in Laine. He was a beast last night. I truly hope he keeps showing this type of game and determination.

One of Laine's best games in 2019 !
Gotta give credit where credit is due.

Game was and most will be close to a coin flip. Blues better executed their strategy with the cycling and fore checking eventually paying off.

Both goalies will be good so push at best for rest of series.

Will come down to game plan and execution. Feels a bit like Blues are baiting some of the chirping and after whistle stuff, even focusing on certain guys. Not looking to get super involved in the physical side yet.

Most interesting thing will be what is the record going back to STL. Then how do they structure the matchups with the last change. Guessing at that point Jets are more inclined to mix up lines.

One of Laine's best games in 2019 !
Gotta give credit where credit is due.
- bennythehat

Yes Guy. Good game from Laine.


Toss Trouba to the third pair.

It reeks of desperation when fans try to find some barely at all offensive tweets from a kid six years ago. None of it was particularly offensive. Just snide thoughts of a kid that are actually funny. And taking the cabbie one out of context when anyone who has had cabbies like that and lived in a real big city thinks the same think.

Booing a kid and trying to accidentally on purpose run him just shows fear. It is beyond insecure. Man up and Courtnal the goalie.

Keep going for every big hit. That doesn't play as well in today's NHL as was demonstrated by the multiple odd man rushes.

Good game. Both teams struck some iron, both goalies played great and both teams had lapses as will happen with that much talent on the ice.