Winnipeg Jets: Three Talking Points as the Jets Lose to the St. Louis Blues
The Winnipeg Jets faced their Central Division rival, St. Louis Blues, on Tuesday night in a game that ended with a shootout victory for the Blues.
The Winnipeg Jets played the fourth game of their seven-game homestand against the Central Division-leading St. Louis Blues on Tuesday at Canada Life Centre.
This was the first meeting this season between the Jets and a team that they know very well from past Central Division playoff series against the Blues. The Blues have started out the season hot with a record of 7-2-1 coming into the game against the Jets.
The Jets were coming off of a 2-0 loss to the New York Islanders in their last game. Starting goaltender Connor Hellebuyck returned to the Jets lineup following the birth of his first child and a short absence due to a non-Covid related illness.
Unfortunately, that was not enough to propel the home side to victory against the Blues. Here are three talking points from the Jets shootout loss:
3. The Jets Missed Scoring Opportunities
The Jets outshot the Blues 41- 33 overall, including a second period where they outshot the Blues 17 – 5. Neal Pionk and Kyle Connor scored for the home side, and both players had additional opportunities to score and could not convert.
Those players were not alone on the evening as Pierre Luc Dubois, Nikolaj Ehlers, Andrew Copp, and Blake Wheeler all had opportunities to score for the Jets and could not finish.
Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington was excellent last night. He looked like the version of the goaltender that took the Blues to a Stanley Cup victory in 2019. Connor Hellebuyck was understandably a bit erratic in his return after his absence.
Hellebuyck looked rusty on the first Blues goal by Pavel Buchnevich. However, in the overtime period, Hellebuyck was outstanding.
Congratulations to captain Blake Wheeler for scoring his 700th point on an assist on the Jets’ second goal. However, if the Jets want to compete in the Central Division, they will their scorers to convert on a higher percentage of chances.
2. The Jets Played One of the Worst Overtime Periods I’ve Witnessed
I recall last season as a Jets fan that I’d have a sense of relief and excitement when a game was going into three on three overtime.
Coach Paul Maurice would often put out three of the explosive forwards and dare the other team to defend against the speed and talent of the Jets. Against the Blues, the Jets were outshot 10 -1 in the overtime period.
Players and Paul Maurice admitted postgame that essentially the Jets did not touch the puck for almost the entire overtime period. As a fan, it looked like the Blues were playing keep-away against a peewee hockey team that had no interest in trying to assert themselves.
As mentioned previously, thankfully Connor Hellebuyck saved his best play for the overtime period and was the only reason the Blues were held scoreless forcing a shootout.
After the game, Maurice admitted that while he likes the offense being created by his defense, perhaps he needs to consider using three forwards in overtime as he did last season.
1. Mark Scheifele Needs to Start Scoring
Mark Scheifele has been limited to six of the Jets’ first twelve games this season due to a combination of completing a suspension from last season, and time off in Covid protocol.
In his absence, other players like Andrew Copp, Pierre Luc Dubois, and Kyle Connor have put up impressive offensive numbers. While that is fantastic, Mark Scheifele is unquestionably the best forward on the Winnipeg Jets.
For the Jets to compete this season, they need their top center who finished ninth in NHL scoring last season to play at that level. Scheifele looked better last night creating some chances for his linemates Blake Wheeler and Adam Lowry.
Overall, I am confident that Scheifele has too much talent to be mired in a prolonged slump. However, every game where Scheifele is playing at a notch below elite level is going to be a struggle for the Jets, particularly against strong teams like the Blues.
Fortunately for the Jets, the next two games are against easier opponents San Jose Sharks and Los Angeles Kings, followed by a match against Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers, a team that Scheifele seems to always play well against.
This would be a perfect trio of games for Scheifele to elevate his game to the level we are accustomed to.
Winnipeg Jets Fans: How worried are you about the Jets’ last two shootout losses? Leave your comments below!
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*All Stats Provided by the NHL*