Winnipeg Jets: Three Talking Points as The Jets Lose to The Flyers
The Winnipeg Jets faced the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia in their last game before the NHL All-Star break.
After an inspiring win on Saturday against a hot St. Louis Blues team, the Winnipeg Jets lost 3-1 on Tuesday night to the struggling Philadelphia Flyers who currently sit in seventh place in the Metropolitan division.
In his preview for this game, Kieran Hurley indicated that both the Jets and Flyers were coming off of a much needed win before this contest. The Flyers had been riding a thirteen-game losing streak before defeating the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday night. Both teams were looking to enter the all-star break on a winning note.
With this loss, the Jets remain in sixth place in the Central division and are seven points behind the Calgary Flames for the last wildcard playoff spot. Time is running out for a team expected to make the playoffs and perhaps advance further than the second round this season.
Here are three talking points from the Jets 3-1 loss:
3. The Jets Need More Offense
The Jets only managed one goal against the Flyers off the stick of NHL all-star Kyle Connor, who converted on a great feed pass from rookie Cole Perfetti. Unfortunately for the Jets, the only line that looked dangerous for the entire game was the Dubois – Connor – Perfetti line.
As of the all-star break, the Jets have only scored 120 goals in 42 games this season. Only the Arizona Coyotes and Chicago Blackhawks have scored fewer goals this season in the Central division.
Mark Scheifele has gone from essentially a point per game, top ten NHL scoring threat to a player that has 29 points in 36 games this season. The line of Scheifele – Wheeler – Copp struggled against an injury depleted Flyers team to create any offense.
The Jets have been hit by the injury bug this season, particularly to some of their best offensive players. However, the team is sitting at seventeenth in goals for in the NHL. Hopefully, Nikolaj Ehlers can return to the lineup post all-star break and give the team a much needed scoring boost.