Guest Writer: Jets and Avs: Preview of Tonight’s Central Matchup

Welcome Alyssa Houde!

So are we back in business here?

NERD MATH
I’m in

Great to see someone, Alyssa, posting a Jets column on this site again. I agree that the Jets have spent way too much time in their own zone and this has been one of the reasons for their anemic offense and high shots against rate. I would like to see the offense start to attack their opponents and put the pressure on the other teams defence for a change.

The Jets are dead last in xG%you say. How could that be? I've been told that the jets are playing good hockey from posters like 2.0 and Jetsnation.

I love how our 'elite' shutdown pair of Copp and Lowry really shut down MacKinnon. They really took the game to him!

I love how our 'elite' shutdown pair of Copp and Lowry really shut down MacKinnon. They really took the game to him!
- TheUltimateJet

Goal 1: Perreault blows a tire going at Makar, was likely done for anyway, Hellebuyck doesn’t get it.
Goal 2: Lowry and Copp are not on the ice.
Goal 3: Bad change for the defence, with either Kulikov or the coaches to blame. Pionk was caught flat footed, but it’s MacKinnon, so like it even matters.
Goal 4: Powerplay. Defence fails to cover the front of the net.

Goal 1: Perreault blows a tire going at Makar, was likely done for anyway, Hellebuyck doesn’t get it.
Goal 2: Lowry and Copp are not on the ice.
Goal 3: Bad change for the defence, with either Kulikov or the coaches to blame. Pionk was caught flat footed, but it’s MacKinnon, so like it even matters.
Goal 4: Powerplay. Defence fails to cover the front of the net.
- Rexypoo

Well, that sums up the goals if we are looking at the play resulting in the goals.

Kulikov was horrible last night. Not saying the end result was all his fault but he stinks. Skates up the left side just outside his blue line, no one around him and he passes to 2 Jets trying to get off the ice for a change. WTF r u doing man? If it would have been touched by a Jet it would have been too many men penalty. But, no defender around him.

There was another play where he should have shot and he passed the puck which resulted in no shot, I can’t recall the exact play but he’s no 4 million Dman.

Seriously, I would be playing Bitetto over him.

Kulikov or Bitetto ? Tough call !
I vote “ Niku”.
Perreault is not a rw. He is struggling on that side.

Kulikov or Bitetto ? Tough call !
I vote “ Niku”.
Perreault is not a rw. He is struggling on that side.
- bennythehat

The only good thing about Kulikov is his contract is up at the end of this year. This has to represent one of Chevy's worst contracts ever signed. 3 X 4.3m? How did that ever happen?

Agree about Niku, he's tearing up the A after recovering from a groin issue. Its' about time, but wait, apparently Maurice "doesn't like him"?, lol

The only good thing about Kulikov is his contract is up at the end of this year. This has to represent one of Chevy's worst contracts ever signed. 3 X 4.3m? How did that ever happen?

Agree about Niku, he's tearing up the A after recovering from a groin issue. Its' about time, but wait, apparently Maurice "doesn't like him"?, lol
- CharlieDog

The problem is that the Jets don't want to lose Bitteto to waivers, or else they would have called up Niku already.

Or perhaps Maurice does not like Niku, which would explain his long recovery process in the minors.

Goal 1: Perreault blows a tire going at Makar, was likely done for anyway, Hellebuyck doesn’t get it.
Goal 2: Lowry and Copp are not on the ice.
Goal 3: Bad change for the defence, with either Kulikov or the coaches to blame. Pionk was caught flat footed, but it’s MacKinnon, so like it even matters.
Goal 4: Powerplay. Defence fails to cover the front of the net.
- Rexypoo

You are missing the point. Lowry plays great against other teams 3rd and 4th lines. He is ineffective against other teams top lines as his QoC illustrates.

The only good thing about Kulikov is his contract is up at the end of this year. This has to represent one of Chevy's worst contracts ever signed. 3 X 4.3m? How did that ever happen?

Agree about Niku, he's tearing up the A after recovering from a groin issue. Its' about time, but wait, apparently Maurice "doesn't like him"?, lol
- CharlieDog

Sure Charlie Dog. You do get hung up on the word "like" in my post, and neglect the entirety of it, when I explain maybe it's because Maurice doesn't "like" Niku's preference to play the right side, or that he doesn't "like" that Niku is not a physically engaging defenseman.

You said yourself you think Niku should be playing for the Jets. Well he's been healthy since Nov 2, and gotten in 6 games. How many more games should the Jets wait and see if he's recovered from his groin injury before calling up and playing him?

Or is he already healthy and it's like Jetsnation said the Jets don't want to lose Sbisa, Bitetto, or Dahlstrom on waivers, and are just waiting on injury. In which case Maurice thinks that Niku is such a great defenseman and would be playing for the Jets right now, but on the off chance they might lose their 9th best defenseman on waivers it's better to keep him in the minors where he is not helping the Jets win.

Guest Writer: Jets and Avs: Preview of Tonight’s Central Matchup
- Eklund

Is there a worse D in the league than Beaulieu? He has zero depth perception, making pinches that he is 4 strides away from even contending. If you are going to be a massive liability, you better be notching 50+ points per season, not a 0.23 ppg player that is on his 3 team in his short career. Sbisa has shown lots of promise, and his gaffs I am willing to chalk up to the fact he hasn't played over 30 games in the past 3 seasons. I think he will continue to improve into a great bottom pairing D.

Whats going on with Wheeler? He was a beast last season, but his passing is way off of what we are used to seeing.

Welcome Alyssa!

This is a good group with differing opinions and that’s what makes it good but sadly with that said I won’t be coming on for a while. Nothing in Winnipeg has changed for far too long and I don’t see the need to argue the same things in here until something does. This is a 500 hockey club until a major move is made on the ice or in the front office

So once a big move happens like a trade or coach firing, all the best fellas and as always. Go Jets Go

Welcome Alyssa!

This is a good group with differing opinions and that’s what makes it good but sadly with that said I won’t be coming on for a while. Nothing in Winnipeg has changed for far too long and I don’t see the need to argue the same things in here until something does. This is a 500 hockey club until a major move is made on the ice or in the front office

So once a big move happens like a trade or coach firing, all the best fellas and as always. Go Jets Go
- Ross77

Take care Ross. Looking forward to reading your posts when you return in 2023

Take care Ross. Looking forward to reading your posts when you return in 2023
- BWJumper

BW you are hillarious!!!

One interesting stat for you Alyssa. Top Finnish goal scorers in the NHL this year:

Joonas Donskoi - 9
Roop Hintz - 9
Sebastian Aho - 8
Erik Haula - 8
Joel Armia - 6
Kaapo Kakko - 6
Aleksander Barkov - 5
Mikko Rantanen - 5
Kasperi Kapananen - 4
Teuvo Teravaiinen - 4
Miro Heiskeinen - 4
Patrik Laine - 4

Patrik is on on pace for a whopping 16 goals. People in this blog claim that he is a "generational goal scorer". You may want to write an article that explores this "generational" talent.

not too much to get excited about in that game. We were out worked. Connor/Sheifele/Laine were very good, not so much anyone else.

I miss the old days of hockey when teams valued dirty goals as much as high end end goals. We were not in the face of Werner (who was sharp), and allowed him to make clean saves with few rebounds. We never really seemed to get into a position to even have a chance to create dirty goals. Are we getting complacent with our ability to score the high end goal-scorer's goals and playing with reduced commitment to get the mucker goals?

This game was a good example of a game needing a spark for the Jets to ramp up the emotional commitment. Obviously no fights occurred but there were also no significant hits or charged scrums (a bit of something when Helly was bowled) or even solid shot blocking. This is where the vets like bourque earn their money by having a piece of managing the mental/emotional game.

The Jets are dead last in xG%you say. How could that be? I've been told that the jets are playing good hockey from posters like 2.0 and Jetsnation.
- BWJumper

the sky is still falling BW? all is lost? Let me guess - when we win (or should I say when Jets win as I'm not sure who you cheer for) its luck, when we lose its a foregone conclusion; also Jets are destined to be mediocre because Thompson and Chipman don't know how to get things done.

When you see an area of concern try being direct and not a complainer.

the sky is still falling BW? all is lost? Let me guess - when we win (or should I say when Jets win as I'm not sure who you cheer for) its luck, when we lose its a foregone conclusion; also Jets are destined to be mediocre because Thompson and Chipman don't know how to get things done.

When you see an area of concern try being direct and not a complainer.
- 2.0

Not luck 2.0 I already said it, go back in the last article from Tessier my post on November 6. It's been Hellebuyck's stellar play that has saved the Jets this season. So please read my posts instead of making up things about me in the future.

not too much to get excited about in that game. We were out worked. Connor/Sheifele/Laine were very good, not so much anyone else.

I miss the old days of hockey when teams valued dirty goals as much as high end end goals. We were not in the face of Werner (who was sharp), and allowed him to make clean saves with few rebounds. We never really seemed to get into a position to even have a chance to create dirty goals. Are we getting complacent with our ability to score the high end goal-scorer's goals and playing with reduced commitment to get the mucker goals?

This game was a good example of a game needing a spark for the Jets to ramp up the emotional commitment. Obviously no fights occurred but there were also no significant hits or charged scrums (a bit of something when Helly was bowled) or even solid shot blocking. This is where the vets like bourque earn their money by having a piece of managing the mental/emotional game.
- 2.0

The part in bold I 100% agree with 2.0. Yes i'm serious.

Welcome Alyssa!

This is a good group with differing opinions and that’s what makes it good but sadly with that said I won’t be coming on for a while. Nothing in Winnipeg has changed for far too long and I don’t see the need to argue the same things in here until something does. This is a 500 hockey club until a major move is made on the ice or in the front office

So once a big move happens like a trade or coach firing, all the best fellas and as always. Go Jets Go
- Ross77

I'm afraid that I agree with your assessment that this is a .500 team until a major trade is made. Unfortunately don't think that that is about to happen.

Maybe if we could get this Buff thing straightened out we could see things change and some moves made, or at least that's my wish. I can take the losses but want intensity!

Actually don't mind Sbisa or Beaulieu for 3rd pairing types, but Kulikov? He needs to either play with more passion and smarts or go. Think Sammy will be up real soon!

Ross, know where you're coming from, but I am going to keep putting my two cents in occasionally, like you say arguing the same old thing.

I’ll be back for our lord and saviour Samuel of House Niku, 1st of his name