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Jets fly past Avs in high-scoring affair |
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The challenge for the Jets is to find a way to harness their offence while managing to play defence at the same time. There was some of that against Dallas in their 5-1 win but against the talented and tenacious Avalanche holding them down was hard to do.
The concern is that Phillip Grubauer basically decided it was 80s night and played like a goalie from that era. The Jets had no problem scoring but had the Avalanche had nearly anyone else in net what would the result have been?
Certainly score effects came into the game each time the Jets had a 3 goal lead at 4-1, 6-3 and and 7-4 but the Avalanche are a dangerous team. The MacKinnon-Rantanen combo is a as tenacious as any in the league and frankly did anyone in attendance or on TV see a shred of doubt in their play even down by three goals multiple times.
The goalie was pulled a 6-3 and then they scored to make it even more interesting with just over 3 minutes left. If you look at shot volume and then even shot attempt volume it appeared the Avs played with the man advantage almost all game. Connor Hellebuyck played well, well enough too win but would he or anyone want to highlight that game?
The Jets could learn a few things from the Avs in the way they created their shot volume and the tenacity they skated with. Gaps? Bah charge at full speed. Shooting lanes? Fire it when you get a chance, every chance. Set plays? Sure but if they are gone improvise and shoot the puck hard and often.
The Jets did what good teams with scoring talent do- they get their chances and prey on the back-up. Grubauer let in some good, bad and ugly goals but that's going to happen and to be fair to Winnipeg they have deserved a bit of luck on the shooting percentage side at some point and last night was it.
Give some props to Trouba, and Morrissey as they managed their team high minutes at 5vs5 and finally Tyler Myers. Well not finally but its time this space gives Myers some praise as he had another strong game with some decent work controlling the puck and play as well as back checking and managing the Avs onslaught.
Those kind of games are going to happen and the Jets came out on top but there is still work to be done when facing the top talent in the league. The good news is the it was not all on Grubauer either as there's some ugly on the Avs blue line and that is something teams are going to look to exploit and likley something Sakic is going to shore up come deadline.
Winnipeg Jets Blogger •Winnipeg Jets Writer • 
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