The Winnipeg Jets suffered a 6-3 loss to the Boston Bruins on Thursday night at the Canada Life Centre. The losses are piling up in Winnipeg. The team has now lost 13 out of its last 18 games.
Special teams sinking Jets
What was a strength for Jets last year has now become a glaring weakness. Last year, the Jets’ power play and penalty kill were both among the best in the league. This year, both the PP and PK rank among the worst in the league so far.
Last game, after Morgan Barron got the first goal of the game, the Jets PK quickly surrendered back to back PP goals to the Bruins. Just after the half-way mark of
the period, the Jets trailed 3-1. Alex Iafallo narrowed the gap to 3-2 with a great individual effort. That’s how the first period ended.
Comrie not up to challenge
With Connor Hellebuyck on the shelf, this was Eric Comrie’s golden opportunity to show the league he can be an NHL starter. Being a free agent at seasons end, Comrie was well- positioned to earn himself a nice contract with another team. Alas, in 15 games played, he sports a 3.30 GAA and a 0.886 save percentage. Even with save percentages down leaguewide, those are pedestrian numbers.
Before Hampus Lindholm put the Bruins up 4-2, Comrie had multiple opportunities to hold onto the puck and stop play but failed to do so.
Too many Jets defensive breakdowns
Unlike last season, the Jets this season seem to be missing many more defensive assignments which are leading to goals for opposing teams. In last night’s game, Sean Kuraly was allowed to walk in alone on Comrie twice and scored on one of those opportunities. On the fifth Bruins goal, the Jets were caught puck watching. Every Winnipeg skater had his eyes on puck carrier David Pastrnak behind the Jets net.
No one marked Elias Lindholm, who skated to the front of the net. Lindholm took the pass from Pastrnak and scored top shelf to essentially seal the game for the Bruins.
The big picture for Winnipeg
The Jets have now played 30 of 82 games on the season. Their record is now 14-15-1. There is still a little under two-thirds of the season remaining. Hellebuyck seems to be getting closer to returning. They sit four points out of a playoff spot. Unfortunately, they are also just four points above the worst record in the league.
Winnipeg has 26 games remaining until the Olympic break. By then, it should be clear if they can still contend for a playoff spot or should sell off assets at the trade deadline for a potential off-season reload. The schedule doesn’t get any easier. The Jets welcome Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals to town on Saturday night.
Jets need a complete rebuild. Chevelallseasonoff needs to go. Mark Hiller needs to go. The Jets are slow. We have 0 prospects to be excited about. No hope for this team going forward.