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For Jets is the Global Series a chance to reset? |
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Global Series a Chance to Reset
While the Jets are holding down a top 8 spot in the Central and seemingly surviving their doldrums it’s not happening without notice. At this point there’s no real goat horns for anyone to wear but there is a genera malaise with the play of the team. This trip represents a reset point for the team, some time to take stock of where they are as unit and individually. No player needs that more than Patrik Laine, a key cog who has failed to meet fans’ expectations and probably his own. Is this the stage and time for Laine to buck his slump?
There’s been more than enough press on individual players and their experiences in Finland and Helsinki including a great press conference with Paul Maurice. The team has had some fun and interesting experiences and a bit of break from local and North American scrutiny. It’s time to get back to work. That started yesterday when this tweet emerged from practice:
The blender is out again and this time we see Laine moved in with Tanev and Lowry. The change is probably designed to add some speed but with more puck recovery to pair with Laine. While Lowry is not the fleetest of foot Tanev can move but he’s often reckless (less so now) and not the playmaker. That role likely belongs to Lowry to protect the puck after retrieval, work the cycle and find Laine or at least the defenders who can move it on.
The other part of this change is Ehlers up top with Scheifele and Wheeler that was often seen at time in his rookie and sophomore seasons. Again this may be the result of sticking with the 55-26 combo and seeing who fits in there best after other adjustments.
The second line with Connor Little and Perreault could prove to be very frustrating for the opposition if Perreault can gain possession and control with Little to work the puck around to Connor. Like the Laine move this one is geared around finding chemistry for another Jets player who provides scoring- Ehlers.
The wild card line is the fourth line of Lemieux Copp and Roslovic. Again this could have benefits for Roslovic not playing centre but what of Nic Petan? Does he bring less than Lemieux? Given the back-to-back games in this series perhaps after today we see Petan draw in tomorrow. What about Niku?
f you did not see this- you should:
Aside from the same old roster debates of player vs player it’s more important to consider what this small series could mean for the Jets as a reset point. The roster shuffle (again) comes before the in-game blender and seems based more on some recent information and less a guess. What fans are waiting for is the following:
Laine and Ehlers to start scoring
Wheeler to emerge from his slumber
A fourth line that holds its own
A second line that produces points
There’s more but if the above happen and perhaps not even all of it, the Jets should and could be on their way to better results and not just on the score sheet. The question remains though- is this trip a point for the team to reset and do the players see it that way?
The Florida Panthers, the opposition for the next two games, are also in a bit of a doldrum period but perhaps worse as them come into the game as last in the Eastern Conference. Without Luongo the Panthers have not found reliable goaltending with Reimer and Hutchinson- both below .900 in save percentage. In 9 games the Panthers have given up 35 goals and scored 28, only two other teams in the league have scored less, Vegas and LA. While the Panthers goal differential is not dire at -7 it’s troubling and is the team dependent on the goaltending of Luongo, or can they not score?
They too need a reset to and perhaps some cathartic time on this trip. It’s been speculated that head coach Bob Boughner night even have some pressure on him due to the team’s start. That’s a different kind of pressure than what Jets head coach Paul Maurice may feel but there certainly is some pressure on him to get this team skating and scoring like fans expect, and remember.
Want some numbers? (5 vs 5)
CF% Florida 4th Winnipeg 16th
SF% Florida 4th Winnipeg 14th
SCF% Florida 17th Winnipeg 26th
HDCF% Florida 15th Winnipeg 23rd
PDO Florida 983 Winnipeg 979
These teams are very equally spread down the numbers but the biggest difference is what comes on the PDO. Florida is shooting 8.33% and Winnipeg 6.08% one is dead in the middle and the other is second last. That seems too low for the Jets considering last season they were at 8.25% and 8.34%.
The Jets are treading water and the Panthers are trying to catch up but can’t. The Jets could go that route too and should either the goaltending not improve or the shot rates and success the Jets are going to find themselves having to work a lot harder to get to where they expect to be.
Perhaps a ‘reset’ is not the right word for this team and they need more ‘urgency’ in their actions. Instead of the perfect shot, get the best shot available off and work from there to arrive back at what made them formidable last season.
Winnipeg Jets Blogger •Winnipeg Jets Writer • 
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