The Winnipeg Jets are a Step Closer to Erasing Troubling Start

The Winnipeg Jets went out and did exactly what they should have done to the  Vancouver Canucks at home. They looked like the team we all thought they could be.

The Winnipeg Jets played this a lot like they played their first game against the Blues. They scored first, actually, with the same player: Patrik Laine.

They then rode a tie into the final period, wherein they decided they weren’t having fun in a tie game anymore and needed to win. Three goals in the third period sealed it for Winnipeg.

They checked all the boxes, too. Solid defense and goaltending.  Two for two on the powerplay. Two for two on the penalty kill. And 57% in the faceoff circle. A tidy, complete win against a team the Jets should do that against.

Dustin Byfuglien had two assists and a goal in his return. Guess Winnipeg needs him a little more than I thought, huh? Bryan Little and Andrew Copp got the other two goals.

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Vancouver apparently didn’t accept this explanation, as things got a little too chippy in the final minute. Brendan Lemieux, in his season debut, got himself a misconduct. So did Ben Chiarot, Ben Hutton and Erik Gudbranson.

I know they were at home, and I’m assuming this helps, but it was still great to see them be as good as we thought they could. I know they were at home against the Oilers, but I’d prefer not to dwell on that.

Their next two games are at home, as well. (Well, the next three are, but give me a minute). A win against the Coyotes and Blues, who are a combined 3-7-2. The record of their next four opponents are 9-14-4, and that includes the 6-2 of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

This is as good a time of any to right the ship. And you know what, the Jets are 4-2-1, which is just fine. If all goes to plan, I’d be happy with 3-1 in the next four to put them at 7-3-1, which is a good start. Toronto is going to be tough.

But Detroit still hasn’t won a game, Arizona is Arizona and the Jets have already bested the Blues. It won’t be easy, sure, but this team looked to be playing better.

Notes

Kristian Vesalainen was sent down to AHL Manitoba, having recorded an assist in his first game. He’ll be back, I’m certain, but he was invisible during this tough stretch. The Jets have replaced him in the lineup with Brendan Lemieux.

But I also thought they could’ve tried to help develop the skill set of Vesalainen, which is why they sent him down. I would’ve liked to see him more on the powerplay and on a better line.

At the same time, he didn’t show enough. Apparently that included practice, as well. And the team was struggling. I don’t disagree with the decision here. Let him play some in the AHL.

He’ll be back, this season I bet. He just needs more minutes, and that wasn’t happening up here yet. You can’t throw him to the wolves unless the standings don’t matter.

I’m excited to see Lemieux in the lineup. I love a little grit. I still have a soft spot for Dylan McIlrath. That dude can throw down with the best of them. Lemieux isn’t a skill guy, but he isn’t useless on the ice like McIlrath.

The Jets were struggling and you need high-effort guys when that happens. They’re turning it around. Lemieux might get more credit than he deserves, but hey, that’s not my problem.

The Jets turn it around and face Arizona at home on Saturday.