Jets Drop Another In Overtime Before Trade Deadline Week

Three road games, three overtimes. The Jets are coming home with four out of six points on the trip after falling to the San Jose Sharks 2-1 on Sunday. This one felt like one team was more desperate - and young - than the other and it made the difference in the end. The Sharks needed both points to stay in the playoff hunt while the Jets are putting pieces in the shop window with the trade deadline approaching. Winnipeg had a different lineup in this one as Walker Duehr made his Jets debut and Haydn Fleury returned from injury. Here are are three takes coming out of the Sharks game.

Walker Duehr was a refreshing change

You can’t get much more direct than Walker Duehr’s style. Get the puck, go to the net, and shoot. It’s a simple formula but his speed and aggression were a welcome change of pace. Playing in his 93rd NHL game and first with Winnipeg, he was trying to make the most of his opportunity with Vlad Namestnikov injured and out of the lineup. Now you aren’t going to win the Stanley Cup with a lineup full of straight line players, but his compete level stood out among the forward group. Of course, he’s fighting for a spot with the Jets or on another team at the end of this week so he needed to be noticeable. But as Michael Misa was bearing down on both Haydn Fleury and Adam Lowry in overtime, it felt like they could have used the same compete level as someone trying to hold onto their roster spot. Duehr might only get a couple more games or be included in a trade deal this week, but that compete level can be contagious in a room that needs it at the moment. 

The fourth line found a rhythm

Morgan Barron opened the scoring at the SAP Center with an impressive snipe early in the first period. All three fourth liners contributed to the goal and it set the tone early on. The trio continued to put pressure on the Sharks and head coach Scott Arniel went back to them more as the game went on. That said, it wasn’t a great night overall for any of the forward lines. Each line ended even in scoring chances for and against. This team is where it is in the standings, but when none of your lines are winning their minutes it’s going to be hard to win hockey games. 

It’s going to be an interesting week

Buckle up. The rumours should be picking up in the next couple of days as general managers start to make moves. There are more sellers than buyers which is going to make Kevin Cheveldayoff’s job that much more difficult this week. Chevy needs to turn some of the Jets' expiring contracts into assets that will give this core of players another run. There are 11 players with contracts up at the end of the season that need to be addressed.

The Jets have an eight game home stand that will see them through to March 19th when they travel to Boston. This would have been an excellent opportunity if the Jets were in contention but instead it might be a good chance to see some new faces suit up at Canada Life Centre.