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Winnipeg Jets: Why can’t we win in overtime this season?

By RJ Beaulieu |
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 02: Members of the Colorado Avalanche celebrate an overtime win against the Winnipeg Jets at the Pepsi Center on January 2, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. The Avalanche defeated the Jets 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 02: Members of the Colorado Avalanche celebrate an overtime win against the Winnipeg Jets at the Pepsi Center on January 2, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. The Avalanche defeated the Jets 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)

Another loss in overtime Tuesday night puts the Winnipeg Jets at 6 OT losses this season. The Jets are now tied for dead last in the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings in the extra frame. With all the goal scoring talent on this roster, why can’t the Jets win in overtime?

Don’t Blame the Shootout

In two games that extended to a shootout this season, the Winnipeg Jets are 50%. Brian Little is two for two in the shootout. Both Mark Scheifele and Patrik Laine are one for two. Blake Wheeler and Nikolaj Ehlers are zero for one. Those are good numbers.

A shootout win over Philly and loss against Boston are nothing to worry fans over. Winnipeg has the guns and the talent to win 1 vs. 1.

3 vs. 3 Players

A 5-minute sudden death 3 vs. 3 overtime period makes for a lot of open ice. That means it will by design favor speed, passing, playmaking, and explosive offensive creativity. This is a showplace for the best a team has to offer. The Winnipeg Jets are not thin on talent. Wheeler, Scheifele, Laine, Little, Byfuglien, Ehlers, Trouba, etc. can make some talented overtime groups. Bottom line, they have the tools to get the job done.

3 vs. 3 Playmaking

Unlike the breakaway goal by Johnson in Colorado, most overtime wins are not made on individual skill. Like a power play, it’s all about moving the puck fluidly between players to create space and opportunity. Either you tic-tac-toe in the offensive zone or you create space in the neutral zone to create an odd-man opportunity. This might be where the Winnipeg Jets are failing:  You cannot dump-and-chase, you cannot battle along the boards, you cannot try for the gritty slot goals. Instead, you need to move and pass until you get a high percentage shot. Keep calm and be patient. Create and wait. This is why teams like Pittsburgh and Las Vegas have 6 overtime wins this year. They cycle and work the passes to create 2 on 1s, then let their talent take over.

Goaltending

Hellebuyck is young, his strength is positional play. That’s not what shines in the extra frame. He has a .500 Save % in both shootout games. It’s common for a young goaltender to struggle in overtime and shootouts. Reading a player’s body language, being able to see a play before it comes together, and just plain experience will be more of an ally in these situations than reaction time. Hellebuyck will get better as he matures. Until then, it’s the job of the guys in front of him to make sure he gets shots he can save and keeps the dangerous ones away from him. Don’t keep putting Connor in 2 vs 1 situations.

Related Story: Jets should look beyond Steve Mason

Fixing the Problem

If the problem is not the roster, then it’s the overtime play style. If it’s the play, then that’s on the coaching staff. It’s high time to circle the wagons and start working on this issue. Winnipeg has lost 7 points already to this. Those 7 would put the Jets firmly in 1st place in the NHL. Take some practices for 3v3 play, work on some set plays. Address the elephant in the room.

If the Jets can improve their play in overtime, then the shootout will be a moot point. Not only will they be able to pick up points they might have left on the table to rivals, they might find their own playmaking and chemistry improve in the normal periods.

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