Post-Game Talk: Close but no cigar, Jets lose in SO 4-3

[LowLefty]

One does not exclude the other. Some of our guys looked a bit tentative at times and seemed very aware of the mismatch in size and physicality between them and the Caps players, and it affected their play for sure. It was well done by the team to come back from three goals, but I’m sure that our smaller guys wouldn’t mind having some muscle by their side when they are getting pushed around. Take Pionk as an example – at times he looked like a boy playing against men in his own zone. Ideally he would have a legit big, stay at home, top 4 D partner with enough grit to clean up in their end a clean someones clock once in while when they start taking liberties. I’m betting that it’s on top of Chevy’s todo list in the off season.

That's pretty much how it all works - size is still a major factor in his game.
We used to have it and we used to intimidate - teams did not like playing us at all.
I miss that to an extent - and I'm also a huge fan of high end skill.
But - in situations where the high end skill is being pasted to the walls all night, I wish we had a little of both.

 

[GNP]

That's pretty much how it all works - size is still a major factor in his game.
We used to have it and we used to intimidate - teams did not like playing us at all.
I miss that to an extent - and I'm also a huge fan of high end skill.
But - in situations where the high end skill is being pasted to the walls all night, I wish we had a little of both.

________________________________________________

I think your right on here. I didn't really think of it this way -- but I would think a lot of teams really didn't like playing us when we had all our bigger more physical players. We were an intimidating team -- but now, the shoe is on the other foot.

 

[Positive]

One does not exclude the other. Some of our guys looked a bit tentative at times and seemed very aware of the mismatch in size and physicality between them and the Caps players, and it affected their play for sure. It was well done by the team to come back from three goals, but I’m sure that our smaller guys wouldn’t mind having some muscle by their side when they are getting pushed around. Take Pionk as an example – at times he looked like a boy playing against men in his own zone. Ideally he would have a legit big, stay at home, top 4 D partner with enough grit to clean up in their end a clean someones clock once in while when they start taking liberties. I’m betting that it’s on top of Chevy’s todo list in the off season.

It's the board work that is most concerning to me; not so much the scrapping/toughness part. I mean Pionk and JoMo are trying their hardest in the corners, but the stronger opposing forwards seem to just shrug them off their backs at times, keeping the play alive. Like a big brother playing keep away.

Now I've never played hockey at any sort of non-rec level. But I would say if I was a modern, prototypical NHL power forward....6'4, 215 lbs....I would be salivating against smaller D. I can play dump-and-chase because I instantly get the puck deep, and I think I have a pretty good chance of winning the ensuing puck battle. I'm also not afraid to take my shots at the net; thinking we can get the puck back again with some good pressure even if I miss.

On the flipside, who wants to play a dump and chase game against Buff? That's not a fun time.

 

[wasup]

No, most teams do not anymore.

Being a physical team has nothing whatever to do with employing a designated helmet puncher. Different story altogether.

I'm not sure how well this team is built for the playoffs, where the NHL uses a different rule book. (How weird is that?) But since it is not likely to make the PO, that isn't an issue. It will be a different team by the time it becomes a legitimate PO team. See what it looks like then.

Sorry i did not mean a guy there specifically to fight i meant guys that would fight if stuff started . Lurch and Bietto and Beaulieu would stand up and that's about it . People want Niku in for Bietto and Lurch is injured leaving Beaulieu as the only one who would step in . Heck look at Copp try to stand up for a teammate last night and who showed up in Copps face in an instant , well actually it was two Capitals . We use to be built for playoffs but we no longer are

I wish the playoff rules were the same as regular season but until things change the Washington's St Louis's and Boston's of the world hold the upper hand in the war we call playoffs .

 

[Adam da bomb]

Where do you see these attacks on Connor? I can't recall one.

Someone was defending Ehlers and then said KC is a black hole defensively which is true but wasn’t relevant.

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

______________________________________________

Your very right --it's not a necessity if you don't mind losing -- but if you want to win, the History of Hockey will tell you it certainly a necessity. Just look at past championship teams and see who played on them. In all cases they had "enforcers" to protect the talent guys, and many of these enforcers were also pretty good Hockey Players.

If they took fighting out of the game like the NFL and NBA --then I could agree with what your trying to sell. That won't happen though, as paying fans love to see the odd fight.

Years ago, yes they had enforcers. In recent years most do not. Fighting is almost but not quite gone. The odd fight is all they are getting now. I'm not selling anything. It is how it is.

You're right, the fans do love to see it, though the world wonders why. They really are very rarely good fights. Two armoured men trying to maintain balance while throwing roundhouse punches. But it will probably never disappear completely.

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

Sorry i did not mean a guy there specifically to fight i meant guys that would fight if stuff started . Lurch and Bietto and Beaulieu would stand up and that's about it . People want Niku in for Bietto and Lurch is injured leaving Beaulieu as the only one who would step in . Heck look at Copp try to stand up for a teammate last night and who showed up in Copps face in an instant , well actually it was two Capitals . We use to be built for playoffs but we no longer are

I wish the playoff rules were the same as regular season but until things change the Washington's St Louis's and Boston's of the world hold the upper hand in the war we call playoffs .

Yes and no with that last paragraph. The PO rules may favour the physical teams but Chicago and Pens won with smaller, less physical, skilled teams. LAK, Caps and Blues won with more physical teams. It can go either way, depending on the overall talent on the team.

I would like to see us add a sprinkling of bigger, more physical players, but not at the expense of speed and skill. Samberg and KVes are bigger players. After them, there is not a lot of size in our system.

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

Someone was defending Ehlers and then said KC is a black hole defensively which is true but wasn’t relevant.

OK it is irrelevant. I would rather we didn't always end up comparing the 2. I love them both. It comes from Maurice. Apparently KC can do no wrong and Ehlers can do no right - judging by the treatment he gives the 2. They both play the same position and, like it or not, they compete for TOI and linemates.

Surely, Ehlers must be beginning to notice the pattern.

I think that Maurice's bias is going to lead to us losing Ehlers. I also think it is leading to him being undervalued in any trade.

 

[wasup]

Yes and no with that last paragraph. The PO rules may favour the physical teams but Chicago and Pens won with smaller, less physical, skilled teams. LAK, Caps and Blues won with more physical teams. It can go either way, depending on the overall talent on the team.

I would like to see us add a sprinkling of bigger, more physical players, but not at the expense of speed and skill. Samberg and KVes are bigger players. After them, there is not a lot of size in our system.

Yea i think they were hoping Stanley would be part of the solution but that looks like a long shot now .

 

[bennylundholm]

There is no way Ehlers was sending a message to Mau. Not when Mau has just given him a SO opportunity.

The only message that could possibly be was 'trade me'. That is not a message you send to the coach. You tell your agent to deliver that message to the GM.

It was just a poor SO decision.

The only person who knows for sure is Ehlers.
Difference of opinion is fine but to state "no way" and "only" is a little close-minded.
I've played with guys who have been pissed at the coach and done a number of stupid things out of spite.
The fact PoMo let him be the 5th shooter I'd say doesn't make him grateful. He's been on the low end of ice time, power play time 3 on e time all season. I don't think it's outside the realm of possibility that Ehlers is more than a little fed up.

 

[KingBogo]

The only person who knows for sure is Ehlers.
Difference of opinion is fine but to state "no way" and "only" is a little close-minded.
I've played with guys who have been pissed at the coach and done a number of stupid things out of spite.
The fact PoMo let him be the 5th shooter I'd say doesn't make him grateful. He's been on the low end of ice time, power play time 3 on e time all season. I don't think it's outside the realm of possibility that Ehlers is more than a little fed up.

Ehlers was quoted after the game on what his shootout plan was and it had nothing to do with throwing the game. And I'm guessing you didn't play in the NHL in the middle of a playoff race with team mates you go to battle with on a daily bases. Ehlers could have been the 18th shooter and he would do the best he could to score.

 

[SUX2BU]

The Jets should give this McDonald's employee a shot .

Punches above her weight class and fights with both hands ..... impressive

guy was probably going to bitch about the happy meal toy ....

 

[1OApick]

Compare last games for his first games at this season. He is off physically or off mentally. Beginning of the season he was playing like a true superstar and was best player on ice game to game. His confidence is at the moment at ok-level but not at his best.

 

[KingBogo]

Lol. You actually think Ehlers will say what he was doing?
I'm guessing you're extremely naive to believe what Ehlers says is truth.

Yes I believe what Ehlers said. He didn't look good doing it so he would want to share his thought process. And I'm guessing you really don't have any idea what you are talking about. These are professionals who make vast amounts of money and have dedicated their lives to playing hockey. They hold themselves accountable to their team mates on a daily bases. They are not 12 year olds who have I'll show the coach tantrums. Sorry it is beyond silly to believe Ehlers threw the game because he was mad at the coach. And I can't imagine a worse thing you could imply about a player than what you are suggesting what Ehlers did. Do you dislike him that much?

 

[Adam da bomb]

OK it is irrelevant. I would rather we didn't always end up comparing the 2. I love them both. It comes from Maurice. Apparently KC can do no wrong and Ehlers can do no right - judging by the treatment he gives the 2. They both play the same position and, like it or not, they compete for TOI and linemates.

Surely, Ehlers must be beginning to notice the pattern.

I think that Maurice's bias is going to lead to us losing Ehlers. I also think it is leading to him being undervalued in any trade.

Which is a huge pity. Ehlers had a great game last night other than that weird shoot-out decision. Ehlers deserves better.

 

[wasup]

Punches above her weight class and fights with both hands ..... impressive

guy was probably going to bitch about the happy meal toy ....

Can she skate ?

 

[Positive]

Yes. He didn't look good doing it so he would want to share his thought process. And I'm guessing you really don't have any idea what you are talking about. These are professionals who make vast amounts of money and have dedicated their lives to playing hockey. They hold themselves accountable to their team mates on a daily bases. They are not 12 year olds who have I'll show the coach tantrums. Sorry it is beyond silly to believe Ehlers threw the game because he was mad at the coach. And I can't imagine a worse thing you could imply about a player than what you are suggesting what Ehlers did. Do you dislike him that much?

I think he just dislikes Maurice that much, so this is just projection of his feelings onto Ehlers. And I agree; the above situation wouldn't happen outside of rec-leagues, kid's games, or fan's coach-revenge-fantasies. Cue the "but one time this guy I was in a league with did something..."

 

[bennylundholm]

Yes I believe what Ehlers said. He didn't look good doing it so he would want to share his thought process. And I'm guessing you really don't have any idea what you are talking about. These are professionals who make vast amounts of money and have dedicated their lives to playing hockey. They hold themselves accountable to their team mates on a daily bases. They are not 12 year olds who have I'll show the coach tantrums. Sorry it is beyond silly to believe Ehlers threw the game because he was mad at the coach. And I can't imagine a worse thing you could imply about a player than what you are suggesting what Ehlers did. Do you dislike him that much?

You don't get it.
Most educated hockey observers on TV were shaking their head at Ehlers slapshot. To glide in at a snail's pace and take a slapshot from that far out made zero sense. I have always been one of Ehlers biggest supporters on these boards so his slapshot made zero sense to me, other than he's had enough of taking the brunt of PoMo's decisions. You don't need to have played in the NHL to see that. And certainly he will be trying to save face by coming up with another explanation.
To each his own, its over with now.

 

[Eyeseeing]

Wow , what's wrong with people .

I think the customer was actually mad at Maurice and took out his misplaced anger on the wrong person

 

[KingBogo]

You don't get it.
Most educated hockey observers on TV were shaking their head at Ehlers slapshot. To glide in at a snail's pace and take a slapshot from that far out made zero sense. I have always been one of Ehlers biggest supporters on these boards so his slapshot made zero sense to me, other than he's had enough of taking the brunt of PoMo's decisions. You don't need to have played in the NHL to see that. And certainly he will be trying to save face by coming up with another explanation.
To each his own, its over with now.

Thanks for telling me it is over. But professional athletes don't throw games, and for some reason you believe your position makes Maurice look worse than Ehlers. It doesn't. Purposely throwing a game is probably the worst possible thing you could say about a player. No matter how bad a player believes they have been treated they would never consider screwing over their team mates by throwing a game. The thought wouldn't even enter their head.

 

[JetsWillFly4Ever]

We have plenty of size on defense. Poolman , Sbisa, Bitetto, Dahlstrom, Kulikov are all big guys. It doesn’t matter because they suck.

 

[kanadalainen]

Fun fact. In Denmark "a Danish" is called Vienna bread.

Also, at least once every couple of weeks when I tell people I'm Danish they start telling me how wonderful of a time they had in Amsterdam My theory is that Americans only learn geography from going to war

Copenhagen is one of my favourite places to enjoy a beer.

It happened exactly once.

 

[kanadalainen]

can I just say normally if a team is scared/intimidated they don't come back from 3 goals. we didn't back off at all, we took the hits to make some plays

bingo!

 

[Gabe Kupari]

Ehlers threw the game but scored 1 of our regulation goals and pretty much molested scheif when he tied it but yeah he threw the game. The stupidity level is high

 

[brendan smith]

If you are truly trying to go five hole you don’t take a slap shot from long range.

Not sure what he was thinking but pissed off is more likely I think.

Gotta say there is no quit in these Jets. They start slow but never give up. Not a recipe for a win streak but is entertaining.

Fair enough, but to suggest he wasnt trying is an entirely different argument. Unless you have a source or some other insight; please, by all means, let us all know...