Jacob Billington: Jets take on Red Wings, looking to rack up scoring against struggling DET

Detroit will be the spoiler tonight!

Detroit will be the spoiler tonight!
- HenryHockey

Wouldn't surprise me at all. After nice win against Boston, they showed they can still play spoiler. Though after the few games against Ottawa, that tells a whole other story. I would like to say they play better against playoff teams, but that whole 6 game losing streak was playoff teams except Ottawa. Very middle-of-the-pack performances lately

Lowry has been a little more willing to make more significant changes to the lines than PM was. 55/26 are exhibit 'a'. The PK improved after Lowry was hired, the win ratio did not. I think the interim didn't do enough to win the job. If Chevy (assuming he is not replaced) keeps Lowry then Lowry should be encouraged to bring in his own staff of assistants like any other coach coming in would be able to do.

It doesn't feel right to talk about what went wrong with this group without mentioning the loss of Brian Little, perhaps the injury was the turning point for the current core, the subsequent loss of Buff hurt equally bad. The Jets haven't looked like a team having fun since 2018, they make NHL hockey look like drudgery. Inspired play has been in spurts, individual performances from Helly, Connor, Laine and PP results from 55 and 26 carried the team into the playoffs a couple times but there is no sign of the whole being more than the sum of parts with this group.

The new coach needs to hold players more accountable for not playing up to ability / mediocrity, find a new balance between 'the team development process' and winning, turn over the core of the group to the next gen.

Just heard Heinola is being scratched for tonight's game with Schmidt returning, Idk what the D pairs are going to be though.

*Edit: D pairings for tonight's game are:

Morrissey-DeMelo
Schmidt-Pionk
Stanley-Dillon

I'm sorry, I didn't realize that the Kings were actual contenders. Silly me !
They will have significant cap space next season, because they are rebuilding.
- bennythehat


Nothing says “rebuild” quite like 2nd place in the pacific

Oooooooo....the Pacific....scary division....Kings won't get past the first round, and that does not make them a contender.

Just heard Heinola is being scratched for tonight's game with Schmidt returning, Idk what the D pairs are going to be though.

*Edit: D pairings for tonight's game are:

Morrissey-DeMelo
Schmidt-Pionk
Stanley-Dillon
- JetFuel

Just getting off work and seeing this. Weird that Schmidt and Dillon are both playing their off sides, but I don't mind the pairings. Schmidt-Pionk may struggle defensively, as they are both more likely to jump up in the play, but could work out well. I like Stanley-Dillon together.

Just getting off work and seeing this. Weird that Schmidt and Dillon are both playing their off sides, but I don't mind the pairings. Schmidt-Pionk may struggle defensively, as they are both more likely to jump up in the play, but could work out well. I like Stanley-Dillon together.
- Jacob Billington

I think they're just trying to keep Stanley and Schmidt separated.

Just getting off work and seeing this. Weird that Schmidt and Dillon are both playing their off sides, but I don't mind the pairings. Schmidt-Pionk may struggle defensively, as they are both more likely to jump up in the play, but could work out well. I like Stanley-Dillon together.
- Jacob Billington

This is an interesting point. Defenseman should know how to play defense right?

Wouldn't surprise me at all. After nice win against Boston, they showed they can still play spoiler. Though after the few games against Ottawa, that tells a whole other story. I would like to say they play better against playoff teams, but that whole 6 game losing streak was playoff teams except Ottawa. Very middle-of-the-pack performances lately
- Jacob Billington

The 2 loses against the Sens was the absolute pits. Larkin called them out and now they won 2. Griess had a good game tonight. Looks like the Jets break out their golf clubs as well. Thanks for your thoughts Jacob.

The 2 loses against the Sens was the absolute pits. Larkin called them out and now they won 2. Griess had a good game tonight. Looks like the Jets break out their golf clubs as well. Thanks for your thoughts Jacob.
- HenryHockey

Pretty sure they broke out their golf clubs months ago.

I knew they were overhyped this season but didn't think they'd be this bad.

Pathetic.
Coach Lowry gets a pass from me. Not a HC and won’t be next year.

55 has been disinterested and it has to have an effect.
Wheeler as this amazing leader seems to have an incredible appetite for non-physical effort with zero aggression and intensity.

Radical thought of the day:
Dubois gets 8 x $7+ and gets the C next season

I'm sorry, I didn't realize that the Kings were actual contenders. Silly me !
They will have significant cap space next season, because they are rebuilding.
- bennythehat


Nothing says “rebuild” quite like 2nd place in the pacific

Oooooooo....the Pacific....scary division....Kings won't get past the first round, and that does not make them a contender.
- bennythehat

Neither will half the teams? Tampa got swept in 4 by a last minute 8th seed. Playoff results do not indicate contender status, you get that before the regular season ends. The Kings are playing excellent hockey with a randomized lineup.

Lowry has been a little more willing to make more significant changes to the lines than PM was. 55/26 are exhibit 'a'. The PK improved after Lowry was hired, the win ratio did not. I think the interim didn't do enough to win the job. If Chevy (assuming he is not replaced) keeps Lowry then Lowry should be encouraged to bring in his own staff of assistants like any other coach coming in would be able to do.

It doesn't feel right to talk about what went wrong with this group without mentioning the loss of Brian Little, perhaps the injury was the turning point for the current core, the subsequent loss of Buff hurt equally bad. The Jets haven't looked like a team having fun since 2018, they make NHL hockey look like drudgery. Inspired play has been in spurts, individual performances from Helly, Connor, Laine and PP results from 55 and 26 carried the team into the playoffs a couple times but there is no sign of the whole being more than the sum of parts with this group.

The new coach needs to hold players more accountable for not playing up to ability / mediocrity, find a new balance between 'the team development process' and winning, turn over the core of the group to the next gen.
- 2.0

The final game against Vegas was what did it.
Buff, Perreault, Chairot, Copp, and obviously Enstrom we’re all visibly pissed.

The team absolutely dive bombing after the christmas break in 18-19 was the second sign, with the re-acquiring of Hendricks in an attempt to save the room being the 3rd.

All downhill since then

The final game against Vegas was what did it.
Buff, Perreault, Chairot, Copp, and obviously Enstrom we’re all visibly pissed.

The team absolutely dive bombing after the christmas break in 18-19 was the second sign, with the re-acquiring of Hendricks in an attempt to save the room being the 3rd.

All downhill since then
- Rexypoo

I remember Lawless would always speak about “The Atlanta 5”.

I remember Lawless would always speak about “The Atlanta 5”.
- TheUltimateJet

That was such an asinine point, I don’t even remember who the 5 were supposed to be. More than 5 carried over for multiple seasons

That was such an asinine point, I don’t even remember who the 5 were supposed to be. More than 5 carried over for multiple seasons
- Rexypoo

Lawless made many asinine points when he was here.
It was not as if the players in question were Thrashers for very long.
Wheeler 23 games, Buff 81 games, Ladd 81 games.
Little and Enstrom were there for a few seasons, but I doubt that they were a problem.

Pathetic.
Coach Lowry gets a pass from me. Not a HC and won’t be next year.

55 has been disinterested and it has to have an effect.
Wheeler as this amazing leader seems to have an incredible appetite for non-physical effort with zero aggression and intensity.

Radical thought of the day:
Dubois gets 8 x $7+ and gets the C next season
- jjonah

I would concur with your overall assessment. There needs to be new leadership from coaching right down to players.

I say the Wheeler Scheif leadership duo needs changing. Dubois needs a letter of some sort. I like Scheif but I have to wonder if he is done with this organization.

Maybe new coaching helps, I don't know.

benching Heinola is a joke. the Heinola - Smidt pairing allowed fewer shots and chances while creating more than any pairing Stanley was on. Want to talk about toughness? well Stanley got pushed off the puck pretty easily on Detroit's goal last night. there is not one single reason to play Stanley over Heinola, not one!!

I've been hard on Wheeler, but I've actually liked his game lately, he just plays to much!! Wheeler is gassed after 40 seconds. Last night he drew a penalty and then stayed out for the pp and was useless, he can not be on the ice for more than 45 seconds no matter the situation.

Shief is dealing with some off ice stuff but that's no excuse for his consistently poor effort

we need a coaching staff to realize we were most successful when we played four lines and the top 6 had similar minutes and the bottom 6 did as well.

benching Heinola is a joke. the Heinola - Smidt pairing allowed fewer shots and chances while creating more than any pairing Stanley was on. Want to talk about toughness? well Stanley got pushed off the puck pretty easily on Detroit's goal last night. there is not one single reason to play Stanley over Heinola, not one!!

I've been hard on Wheeler, but I've actually liked his game lately, he just plays to much!! Wheeler is gassed after 40 seconds. Last night he drew a penalty and then stayed out for the pp and was useless, he can not be on the ice for more than 45 seconds no matter the situation.

Shief is dealing with some off ice stuff but that's no excuse for his consistently poor effort

we need a coaching staff to realize we were most successful when we played four lines and the top 6 had similar minutes and the bottom 6 did as well.
- Ross77

The Jets have 4 lines they can deploy all game, 100%. Wheeler has been good this season. He has struggled to keep up at a lot of times, but overall, he has had a good season. Almost a PPG at 35y/o

I would concur with your overall assessment. There needs to be new leadership from coaching right down to players.

I say the Wheeler Scheif leadership duo needs changing. Dubois needs a letter of some sort. I like Scheif but I have to wonder if he is done with this organization.

Maybe new coaching helps, I don't know.
- Old Flopper

KC needs consideration for a letter. Work ethic and results. I love how Dubois plays but am not a huge fan of putting a 'C' on him just because the captain can't play as close to 'the edge' as Dubois often does. On the other hand Bobby Clark pulled it off, Landeskog, Benn, Doan, Messier - it can be done.

The Jets have 4 lines they can deploy all game, 100%. Wheeler has been good this season. He has struggled to keep up at a lot of times, but overall, he has had a good season. Almost a PPG at 35y/o
- Jacob Billington

It is harder to roll 4 lines when down a goal or two and chasing the games and the Jets have been down in a lot of games this year. It would be foolish to roll out lines less likely to pop one in the net. top lines get more minutes because they usually start periods, start after TV time outs and get more PP time.

Tie game situations and ahead in the score provide better opportunity to roll the lines.

It is harder to roll 4 lines when down a goal or two and chasing the games and the Jets have been down in a lot of games this year. It would be foolish to roll out lines less likely to pop one in the net. top lines get more minutes because they usually start periods, start after TV time outs and get more PP time.

Tie game situations and ahead in the score provide better opportunity to roll the lines.
- 2.0

Sure, in specific scenarios deployment will always look different. No team will throw out the 4th line with the empty net trying to tie the game, I just mean they have 4 serviceable lines that are more than capable of playing competitive hockey. I have been a huge fan of this new 3rd line (Sanford-Lowry-Appleton)

The final game against Vegas was what did it.
Buff, Perreault, Chairot, Copp, and obviously Enstrom we’re all visibly pissed.

The team absolutely dive bombing after the christmas break in 18-19 was the second sign, with the re-acquiring of Hendricks in an attempt to save the room being the 3rd.

All downhill since then
- Rexypoo

7 players left from the playoff loss to Vegas. Not counting Stastny who left and came back. I believe that most of the 7 players signed extensions in the years that followed....so I would assume that they are not pissed at anyone. The remaining 12 players were not here, so I think Vegas is behind us.

Sure, in specific scenarios deployment will always look different. No team will throw out the 4th line with the empty net trying to tie the game, I just mean they have 4 serviceable lines that are more than capable of playing competitive hockey. I have been a huge fan of this new 3rd line (Sanford-Lowry-Appleton)
- Jacob Billington

You've liked that line? They haven't done anything since they've been put together.