The Winnipeg Jets have not looked good during this first, brief stretch. That’s okay, though, there’s still plenty of time and room.
The Winnipeg Jets would like to have taken off during this early portion of the season. The NHL is starting off weird this year. Chicago has yet to lose a game in regulation, ditto Carolina, who is the Jets opponent this evening.
Toronto has played six games and New Jersey just two. The Winnipeg Jets are 2-2. Not great, not even good. But not terrible, so far. There’s plenty of time.
There have been really good signs about the Jets. Their penalty kill has been great, Connor Hellebuyck has looked pretty good. Kyle Connor is playing very well.
But most of the other regulars have to get it going. Neither Nikolaj Ehlers or Bryan Little have any points. Now, they’ve been stuck on the PK for about five minutes a night, so that might help.
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Unfortunately, the Predators, Stars and Blackhawks all won last night. The Jets finally get a home game. Fifth game, second at home. Good, they could use home games. They won the season opener and the home opener.
That’s it. Only one home game for the NHL’s best home team. But if you want to be the NHL’s best team, you gotta win games on the road. The Jets just need to win games. They’re at home tonight, against the Canes on the second night of a back to back.
I know Carolina has been good this year, but it’s not the deepest roster. Winnipeg needs to play well tonight. Up until today, they were three points away from first place.
But Nashville is trying to separate themselves, as they did last year. A big deficit in October could play big when March rolls around. Winnipeg doesn’t want to be playing catch-up. They have to keep up.
And what better time than now? The Jets need to get moving. They’ve scored just eight goals in four games, including three in the last three games. Not going to cut it. This team has a really good blueline, but the offense is the juggernaut.
Only Florida, Arizona and Edmonton have fewer than eight goals, and only Arizona has played four games or more. They have three goals in four games, which is awesome.
Laurent Brossoit is getting his first start of the year, as well. I like the idea of getting Hellebuyck rest, but you can’t risk losing this game because your best goaltender wasn’t out there.
They’ll likely be opposed by Petr Mrazek, who is better than he gets credit for. He did do this. I’ll see you out there tonight.