The Winnipeg Jets Better Shore Things Up Rather Quickly
The Winnipeg Jets are 1-1-0. Not a terrible start. In a perfect world, you’d like to win two. However, they need to play better.
The Winnipeg Jets were dismantled by the great forward group of Jamie Benn, Alexander Radulov and Tyler Seguin. Ten points between the three. Four for Seguin.
Look, teams lose games and look bad all the time. But when they look that bad and a division rival looks that good, it’s going to raise some concerns.
Obviously it’s not time to sound the alarm. But the Central Division is so fantastically good, especially if Dallas plays like that for long stretches. Those guys from Dallas have always been that good. Well, except for Radulov.
They won’t play like that every night, especially against a team like this. But maybe Winnipeg can’t afford to start slow if they want to win the division. It’s going to be hard enough.
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What I’m mostly concerned about, is the special teams play. Three goals in five chances on the penalty kill against Dallas, and 0-3 on the powerplay.
They’re facing perhaps the two best defensive teams in the NHL in the next two games. Scoring on 5 on 5 will be tough. The powerplay is their best shot, and it would be nice to get it pumping right now.
In the Jets favor is the injury to Jonathan Quick that will have him placed on IR. The battle between the US best goaltenders is not to be. Give me Connor Hellebuyck in that one anyway. It’s nothing statistical, I just don’t care for Quick.
Someone named Jack Campbell will likely be starting, giving some fans the Homecoming Game feel in the home opener. One the team is supposed to win. It still won’t be easy.
But coming up after this game? The Nashville Predators. That’s the main reason why the Jets need to get something going.
If you lose this one, you drop to 1-2-0 and have to travel to Nashville the next day. After that, you get four trash teams. Still, going into Nashville with a 1-2 record is not what anyone wants.
Look, I wouldn’t even be saying this if they lost a close game to Dallas. And yes, it’s two games into the season and no cause for alarm. I’m here to talk you down, but at the same time, inform you that Winnipeg can’t play like they did against Dallas and expect to win.
Filip Forsberg, Ryan Johansen, Anze Kopitar and Ilya Kovalchuk don’t have the offensive ability that the guys from Dallas have, but they can still take over games and beat you.
The Jets need to make sure it doesn’t happen. It starts with discipline. Stop taking penalties. But if they do? Adam Lowry, Bryan Little and Brandon Tanev need to do a better job.
Dallas took advantage of them, and the guys they’re facing tonight will do the same if they can. It’s the home opener. Let’s enjoy it. Let’s play good hockey.
Next. Winnipeg Jets Meet MLB Stars. dark
We’ll see what we get. I’m hoping for the best. Against a backup goalie? Should be fun.