Its break time for your Winnipeg jets and unfortunately its sorely needed. The Jets ended the second phase of the season with a 5-1 home loss to the Montreal Canadiens. Truly the most impressive aspect of the game from the home team was going almost a full 6 minutes with an empty net before conceding the final goal. The Jets struggled top to bottom against Montreal and the Canadiens' lead felt insurmountable. Here are 3 takes on the game and where the Jets go from here:
Kyle Connor Secures 9 Consecutive 25-Goal Seasons
Let’s start with a positive. Kyle Connor broke the ice in the first period and scored Winnipeg’s lone goal. It was a well-timed shot after a good passing effort on the power play found Connor with time and space just outside of the slot. Connor’s consistency has been a big part of the Jets’ success in recent years, and with his new long term deal he’ll hopefully be a part of more playoff runs in Manitoba. Perhaps even more impressive is his 7 game goal streak against the Canadiens - whatever Connor has against Montreal is working for him.
The Jets Need to Find Some Answers
Look, Montreal is a playoff team. We knew going into this one it was going to be tough to get both points, but the Jets put up great efforts against Florida and Dallas in the last two contests so anything was possible. Unlike those games, when the Jets got down by two goals you didn’t really see a comeback on the way. Montreal was better in all phases, save for the Jets’ power play goal in the first. Josh Morrissey and Connor Hellebuyck didn’t have particularly good games, and the rest of the team couldn’t pick up the slack. Winnipeg may have outshot Montreal but only registered one quality scoring chance in the third period. If the Jets are going to get back to contention in a hurry, general manager Kevin "Chevy" Cheveldayoff has some work to do over the break.
Time to Talk Trades
While the standings have been looking bleak for a few weeks now, Chevy has outwardly maintained that the team wants to win and fight for a playoff spot. If any good can come out of this Montreal loss, its that the playoffs are now off the table. Chevy needs to use the next three weeks to shop some of his veteran guys so when the roster freeze is over and league play resumes the team can start to take shape for next season. He has to do something with Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn’s contract situations, and he should be drumming up business for Vlad Namestnikov or one of the fourth liners. Jonathan Toews’ stock is falling, but there may be a contender out there in need of some leadership with a draft pick or two to spare. Chevy’s hand has been forced and its time to think about getting this team into the playoffs next season.
We’ll have plenty of content over the Olympic break so stay tuned to Jets White Out.