Jacob Billington: Mark Scheifele leads Jets to 2-1 OTW vs. Arizona, scores both goals

I am really happy that we have Mark Scheifele on our team. I think he is great!

The man has gotten 43 points since the beginning of 2022 and that is in just 37 games. It looks like that Covid really affected his play, when he initially came back.

Jacob, like you say, Svechnikov is a player, one who should be on next year's squad, be it 3rd or 4th line. He and PLD are two of the few Jets that actually want to get some traffic in front of the net, as the interim coach preaches.

Missed most of game except for last few minutes (first time this season) - was the Coyotes goalie stoning the Jets once again, or was it just a "la-de-da" game?

OT was exciting!

I am really happy that we have Mark Scheifele on our team. I think he is great!

The man has gotten 43 points since the beginning of 2022 and that is in just 37 games. It looks like that Covid really affected his play, when he initially came back.
- TheUltimateJet

Mark Scheifele's offensive production has been stellar since Jan. 1. I would still like to see some improvement in the effort given on the backcheck, and some smarter defensive plays, but, hard to find issue with someone with that production.

Jacob, like you say, Svechnikov is a player, one who should be on next year's squad, be it 3rd or 4th line. He and PLD are two of the few Jets that actually want to get some traffic in front of the net, as the interim coach preaches.

Missed most of game except for last few minutes (first time this season) - was the Coyotes goalie stoning the Jets once again, or was it just a "la-de-da" game?

OT was exciting!
- grahamzky

Vejmelka was very good last night. Lots of big saves on almost everyone in the Jets top-six. Sure, there were a lot of pucks just thrown on net, and not much of a threat, but, Vejmelka was still very good throughout the game.

Svechnikov will likely be offered an opportunity to come back next season, at close to the $1m mark. Whether he chooses to, or bets on a few more bucks somewhere else. Not a bad year for a guy starting off on a PTO.

Vejmelka was very good last night. Lots of big saves on almost everyone in the Jets top-six. Sure, there were a lot of pucks just thrown on net, and not much of a threat, but, Vejmelka was still very good throughout the game.

Svechnikov will likely be offered an opportunity to come back next season, at close to the $1m mark. Whether he chooses to, or bets on a few more bucks somewhere else. Not a bad year for a guy starting off on a PTO.
- Jacob Billington

Yea, Svech an RFA next season with arbitration rights - so should remain a Jet for another year (maybe longer?), Jets choice.

Probably $1 mill or around that mark? Svech's being trying to make his mark in the NHL so maybe he would like a couple of years or so?

I was at the game...
I thought Svech was inconsistent during the game.
Heinola had a good game, but 44 was our best offensive defenceman last night.

Memo to Scheifele - good to have you back !
Memo to Stastny - Shoot the puck !
Memo to Helly - don't handle the puck !

I was at the game...
I thought Svech was inconsistent during the game.
Heinola had a good game, but 44 was our best offensive defenceman last night.

Memo to Scheifele - good to have you back !
Memo to Stastny - Shoot the puck !
Memo to Helly - don't handle the puck !
- bennythehat

Is Sanford a better 3rd line option than Svech?

It's the time of year when checking gets tighter and size/power can make a bigger difference. I noticed 80 powering through checks and more beef might have made a difference on the Nick Ritchie goal.

The Ritchie goal was playing out a lot like the play that Appleton got flattened on (drew a penalty) but was otherwise a sure goal. If Ritchie gets flattened (big ask) a goal is saved - he powered through the check.

The Jets have to get rid of the timid, untalented 4th/5th line players they have accumulated yet again this season and fill their roster with real NHL talent. This is what I would like to see the forward lines look like next season for the new coach;

Connor PLD Ehlers
Scheifele Wheeler
Appleton Perfetti
Svetch Lowry Harkens

The rest of the forward lines can be filled in with trades, UFA signings or draft and develop players.

Is Sanford a better 3rd line option than Svech?
- 2.0

I don’t think so. I always find it funny when a new guy on a team supersedes guys that are already there. I really like Svechnikov. He’s the only forward willing to go to the dirty areas consistently.

Also, since we are going 3 forwards in OT, why not go 5 forwards on the power play. Ehlers could do better than Morrisey at the point, whereas he actually has a BIG shot to watch out for.

I hope the Jets can muster up a solid end of the year to make the playoffs. That roster shouldn't be missing the playoffs.

I did look at the end of season schedule and they have a tough stretch to end the season. Florida, Tampa, Rangers, Canes, Avalanche, (flyers), Flames to end the season. That is a death march.

I hope the Jets can muster up a solid end of the year to make the playoffs. That roster shouldn't be missing the playoffs.

I did look at the end of season schedule and they have a tough stretch to end the season. Florida, Tampa, Rangers, Canes, Avalanche, (flyers), Flames to end the season. That is a death march.
- Mahewman

Yeah the Jets do have a pretty tough schedule down the stretch and Dallas has a easier one with three games in hand, just can't see the Jets pulling it off.

Yeah the Jets do have a pretty tough schedule down the stretch and Dallas has a easier one with three games in hand, just can't see the Jets pulling it off.
- JetFuel

Nashville has a schedule at least as tough as the Jets, they are within reach if a few things go right.

Is Sanford a better 3rd line option than Svech?
- 2.0

no

It's the time of year when checking gets tighter and size/power can make a bigger difference. I noticed 80 powering through checks and more beef might have made a difference on the Nick Ritchie goal.

The Ritchie goal was playing out a lot like the play that Appleton got flattened on (drew a penalty) but was otherwise a sure goal. If Ritchie gets flattened (big ask) a goal is saved - he powered through the check.
- 2.0

it was also dillon who Ritchie went through in front of the net. size does not equal strong, smart play in front of our net. imagine if that was heinola, and how many people would be like see....see...he is to small

it was also dillon who Ritchie went through in front of the net. size does not equal strong, smart play in front of our net. imagine if that was heinola, and how many people would be like see....see...he is to small
- Ross77

no - it was Schmidt. Dillon was at the other side of the net away from the puck. My point is that we cant roll a roster with 5 average size d men and expect to win a grind out series.

Ritchie goal at 5:15
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBBYZUaxgLs

no - it was Schmidt. Dillon was at the other side of the net away from the puck. My point is that we cant roll a roster with 5 average size d men and expect to win a grind out series.

Ritchie goal at 5:15
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBBYZUaxgLs
- 2.0

I'm right but miss spoke, dillon couldnt tie up schmaltz at the side of the net who got the puck to Ritchie, so equal fault to both dillon and schmidt for both getting out muscled or poor stick work, which it probably has more to do with then strength.

thanks for sharing the replay, it showed clearly dillon's mistake

I'm right but miss spoke, dillon couldnt tie up schmaltz at the side of the net who got the puck to Ritchie, so equal fault to both dillon and schmidt for both getting out muscled or poor stick work, which it probably has more to do with then strength.

thanks for sharing the replay, it showed clearly dillon's mistake
- Ross77

Thanks for pointing out Dillon's missed check, that wasn't what my post was about and is a bit of a mis-direction from the point of it. Mistakes happen all the time in hockey.

The point is that a more powerful defender than Schmidt on the stick or body of Ritchie may have prevented the goal. Schmidt leaned hard on the stick but was overmatched by Ritchie. I couldn't find a replay of the Appleton opportunity that resulted in a penalty but it was similar plays that showed an advantage of size/power on the backend.