The Jets have another task tonight, a tall task against the Vegas Golden Knights at Bell MTS Centre. The Knights are 8-1-1 in their last ten games and are surging back into the sensation they were last season.
With 60 points they are third in the Pacific behind Calgary and San Jose. One of those teams the Jets have struggled against either away or on the road,the other they have beaten 5-3 on the road. Now the two teams meet for the first time since their playoff series last spring where the Knights eliminated the Jets in 5 games to go on to the Stanley Cup final.
Much like the Jets' head coach said before the season about the Jets identity in that they had to create it again, the Golden Knight have had to do the same thing and are currently back to where they were last season. This is a tenacious group with a fast transition and swift effective attack.
Last night I had the pleasure of joining some other Jets fans and friends of the blog in having a drink with WHA Jet great Scott Campbell, also including LiverpoolNHL and his son who have come all the way from Atlanta! Also there were a few other notables from social media including a couple guys from the Jets Centric Podcast, Murat Ates from the Athletic, and of course @sadsackJetsfan.
Scott is visiting with his mom and was at the Jets practice yesterday and also caught the Golden Knights skate. Scott's comments and observations about the Golden Knights were very interesting as he talked about the drills and session. In particular Scott mentioned the gap control exercises and what the team does to work on their transitions game. Needless to say he was impressed!
Scott also said that he saw Ehlers and Buff both working out, running stairs in fact, and both were in good spirits and gave his mom a high-five and took a photo with her.
This is the exact concern many have about the Jets no matter who is on the ice. It does not matter if it's Morrissey and Trouba or Morrow and Kulikov the Knights are going to attack with the same ferocity and a strong back check is going to be necessary from all forwards.
One sentiment that seemed consistent with all of us there was that the Jets are not playing well but win almost due to the insane amount of skill they posses through the lineup. That's a good thing and considering they are playing .600 hockey (in their last 10) with three key player out some leeway has to be given to the group.
Here's why the Golden Knights should be feared by the Jets:
And now the aspect of 'luck'
Needless to say the Jets are going to be in the for a rough ride and given the reliance on their top two forwards in Wheeler and Scheifele in regards to minutes and role the rest of the roster will have to step up. Yes it's the old 'raise your game' narrative but that's really all that's left to ask as the roster is all but set and the coach seemingly fixed in his ways. This game may also be reminder of the desperation of Paul Maurice last spring to sit Enstrom upstairs in game five and try anything to give his team a jump. Even though the Jets are not facing desperation there is certainly a bit of concern around the team and it's circumstances with injuries and play.
Tonight's a chance to see if they rise together or fall flat again and right now that's a guessing game.
Winnipeg Jets Blogger •Winnipeg Jets Writer • 
Join the Discussion:
»