The Jets were just as bad last year as this year? I don't think so.
Many nights they were just as bad, don't kid yourself. In some similar ways and in some different ways. I still think the physicality issue is a convenient narrative, it's recency bias at it's best. The Jets didn't keep teams away from the front of their net last season to any great effect. Chiarot and Myers being physical in that dept didn't help them win games in any meaningful way, same for Buff. I've lost count of how many times over the years I've seen Buff put one hand on top of the net and try to play the puck instead of taking his guy in front, he's famous for it.
The teams issue, much the same as last year, is defensive breakdowns and positioning. Which goals last night were due to the D getting bullied in front? It's not like Arizona had their way with the Jets in the slot all night, far from it.
1st goal, Scheif loses the puck in the corner, gets caught puck watching as his man goes to the net and tips in a point shot. Kuli tying his man up in front.
2nd goal, PP, Lowry gets yanked way out of position out wide, puck comes to the middle and Copp has to step up, puck goes to Kessel and Pionk has to step up, rebound comes into the middle and Lowry lets the guy slip in low. Pionk needs to do a better job of getting in Kessel's shooting lane.
3rd goal, Jets PK being the Jets PK, guy walks right in uncontested and scores. Kuli and Bitetto, two of the "larger" D the Jets actually have, with no clue and don't even try to move the guy setting up the screen. Saw Chiarot do the same thing last season more times than I can count.
4th goal, at least 3 guys lost the plot, nothing to do with a lack of net front.
The Jets aren't getting outmuscled on the back end, they're getting outskilled. The last two games the whole team has had way too many breakdowns and have been largely outworked.