Peter Tessier: Jets and Preds have a battle for the ages! Jets and Predators serve up a Pre-Christmas present instead of a lump of coal in thrilling game in Nashville.

I'm curious Pete, since you've been hard on Maurice in the past, do you think this is both he and the team finding a comfort zone with a system that works or do you think it has nothing to do with coaching and is just maturation of the team?

The game wouldn't have really been that close if it wasn't for some very lucky bounces around the net and off Helly that turned into goals by the Preds.

I do absolutely agree with your comments about the refereeing in this game. Absolutely and utterly brutal. Its not just the missed calls but also the calls that were made. Laine's slash....really ! Emelin hooking Ehlers ?

I am still divided on whether Trouba is doing a better job than Buff on that first PP unit. It seems that the possession time in the O-zone seems to be up with him vs Buff but overall the second unit seems to get more goals. I'd just love to see Morrissey on the PP but being a left handed Dman just doesn't fit right now.

I'm curious Pete, since you've been hard on Maurice in the past, do you think this is both he and the team finding a comfort zone with a system that works or do you think it has nothing to do with coaching and is just maturation of the team?
- mcjags

Basically yes. I still have some questions about usage with Maurice but I believe the players and coach have sort of come to a place where they really are on the same page.

It will be interesting to see if this is trend that continues but they are doing a lot of things right. It’s hard to get used to LOL.

But Maurice does deserve credit for what the team is doing.

Great article Peter...love to see these posted early after a game like that!

The officiating is so inconsistent, you have no idea what is or is not a penalty. The ref looked confused, not confident in calling the game at all. The extended leg almost knee on knee with Scheifle, and others that the previous posters mentioned. Now seriously, when I say inconsistent, take out my biased opinion but I am seeing missed calls that the Jets should be called on as well. Only one word to sum up officiating, inconsistent.

I thought Laine had one of his better games. I didn`t know he was capable of skating that fast but he seemed to find another gear. That slapshot he unleased that hit the crossbar is just a glimpse of what is to come from this guy.

The team was really irritating Subban, lol, which I thoroughly enjoyed! The Jets do have that confidence today to push through the adversity within the game, which is true growth and confidence within the team.

The officials missed a helluva game !

BTW, I have always liked Maurice. I don't believe he has ever had talented teams to coach when he was with Carolina and Toronto. Mediocre plus teams at best. Surely after 1200 games the guy has learned some coaching aspects of the game, old school for sure but seen lots of high level hockey.

Was this the ref that tossed Maurice of couple of years ago after they had their heated exchange prior to the period starting?

I'm curious Pete, since you've been hard on Maurice in the past, do you think this is both he and the team finding a comfort zone with a system that works or do you think it has nothing to do with coaching and is just maturation of the team?
- mcjags

Almost 100% of the credit goes to the team being too good to be Maurice’d. Our PK is still hilariously bad, Myers and Kulikov are still overplayed, and Perreault is still on the 4th line. All of these things continue to happen because he’s terrified if he changes anything, we’ll lose. Smart teams keep trying to improve on the fly. We don’t.

That was the worst case of one-sided / homer officiating I have seen in years ! ... my buddy and I were just losing it ... not a beer left in the house
.
Seriously - horrible horrible reffing ... HUGE win for Jets - statement win - etc etc
.
Boston then Isles before the break ... one game at a time ... don't change a f_cking thing

I do absolutely agree with your comments about the refereeing in this game. Absolutely and utterly brutal. Its not just the missed calls but also the calls that were made. Laine's slash....really ! Emelin hooking Ehlers ?
- jetsnation

I like it when refs let a lot go - more flow to the game, much more entertaining - and there was a lot that was let go. With all that was let go it was odd that the Laine 'slash' was called. Also the can-opener followed by knee on Scheiffle has to be called.

Little caught a break when ref evened up the call on his trip. The slew foot wasn't going to be called until ref decided to even up. Even up was the right call. Overall more calls went the preds way - the fans had nothing to complain about, maybe they can write a country song about how bad they have it, see who listens.

Almost 100% of the credit goes to the team being too good to be Maurice’d. Our PK is still hilariously bad, Myers and Kulikov are still overplayed, and Perreault is still on the 4th line. All of these things continue to happen because he’s terrified if he changes anything, we’ll lose. Smart teams keep trying to improve on the fly. We don’t.
- Rexypoo

Negative Nelly comment of the day!

Rexypoo - I don't know, man ... Myers had 3 pts last night ... thought he played well ... he's a keeper in my books

... and having Perrault on 4th line has given our line-up great balance and tough to play against ... if I'm PoMo, I ain't changing anything for now ... we have the line-up and will fill in when injuries dictate
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Package up Dano, Petan, bag o pucks and find a true 2nd line C

Negative Nelly comment of the day!
- TheUltimateJet

No doubt about that. Wrong-way Rexy proves his worth once again.

Basically yes. I still have some questions about usage with Maurice but I believe the players and coach have sort of come to a place where they really are on the same page.

It will be interesting to see if this is trend that continues but they are doing a lot of things right. It’s hard to get used to LOL.

But Maurice does deserve credit for what the team is doing.
- Peter.Tessier

Music to my ears to hear this come from Peter. Better to be a bit late than never.

Almost 100% of the credit goes to the team being too good to be Maurice’d. Our PK is still hilariously bad, Myers and Kulikov are still overplayed, and Perreault is still on the 4th line. All of these things continue to happen because he’s terrified if he changes anything, we’ll lose. Smart teams keep trying to improve on the fly. We don’t.
- Rexypoo

Rexy,
I think it's time to give Maurice a little more credit. Myers and kulikov were horrible last night, that I can agree with! But with buff and enstrom out its hard to manage their minutes, although there were times last night I was yelling at the screen to get them off the ice. I think Poolman given the chance to develop and stay with the Jets will become our third best D after trouba and Morrisey. Who wouldn't love to see Raslovic brought up right now to take Hendricks place on fourth line? I would love it!

Jets have picked 7 times in the last 5 first round picks....that allows them to be bold.
A first rd pick to Philly for Wayne Simmonds (maybe other pieces both sides).
We still lack grit. I get we are big and heavy blah blah, but we got a glimpse last night that teams are going to start to take liberties

Rexy,
I think it's time to give Maurice a little more credit. Myers and kulikov were horrible last night, that I can agree with! But with buff and enstrom out its hard to manage their minutes, although there were times last night I was yelling at the screen to get them off the ice. I think Poolman given the chance to develop and stay with the Jets will become our third best D after trouba and Morrisey. Who wouldn't love to see Raslovic brought up right now to take Hendricks place on fourth line? I would love it!
- Ross77

Ross, I will not argue with you about Roslovic’s talent and I think everyone wants to see him up sometime but I don’t think he will be the first to come up imop. I think Perrault moves up in the lines if there is an injury and a grinder like Lemieux will come up. If someone on top 6 gets injured, Perrault moves up and a grinder like Lemieux comes in. If someone on the bottom 6 gets hurt, Perrault stays put or moves to 3rd line or stays on 4th and a grinder comes up like Lemieux. Although I would like to see Roslovic up as well, I think the grinder comes up. That is if it is not Perrault being hurt. Just my opinion!

Great article Peter...love to see these posted early after a game like that!
- PrairieFire

Thanks I need to do a bit better with that.

Rexy,
I think it's time to give Maurice a little more credit. Myers and kulikov were horrible last night, that I can agree with! But with buff and enstrom out its hard to manage their minutes, although there were times last night I was yelling at the screen to get them off the ice. I think Poolman given the chance to develop and stay with the Jets will become our third best D after trouba and Morrisey. Who wouldn't love to see Raslovic brought up right now to take Hendricks place on fourth line? I would love it!
- Ross77

Thought experiment - Little out of the second line, Raslovic in...

I think Laine - Raslovic - Ehlers would rock the kasbah...

Jets have picked 7 times in the last 5 first round picks....that allows them to be bold.
A first rd pick to Philly for Wayne Simmonds (maybe other pieces both sides).
We still lack grit. I get we are big and heavy blah blah, but we got a glimpse last night that teams are going to start to take liberties
- jjonah

Oh, don't tease me with that suggestion! I like Simmonds, I think he is a heck of a player and a sportsman to boot! He can take the rough stuff and score. Hmmm........
3.975 mill this year and next then he is a UFA. I might do that deal..........

Thought experiment - Little out of the second line, Raslovic in...

I think Laine - Raslovic - Ehlers would rock the kasbah...
- Lav5000

I like that Maurice moved Laine away from ehlers last game, I hope they keep them apart. Laine looks to pass to ehlers too often when he should shoot because of how close they are off the ice. Laine needs to be more selfish with his shots and with Connor I think he will. Just my opinion

Jets have picked 7 times in the last 5 first round picks....that allows them to be bold.
A first rd pick to Philly for Wayne Simmonds (maybe other pieces both sides).
We still lack grit. I get we are big and heavy blah blah, but we got a glimpse last night that teams are going to start to take liberties
- jjonah

I am all in on this trade! Great suggestion......

I am all in on this trade! Great suggestion......
- TheUltimateJet

Grit

Tanev Buff Lowry Trouba Copp Poolman (sleeper) Hendricks
there is grit on our team