Post-Game Talk: Jets 4- Preds 3 in OT

[ThinIce61]

Well we won but there is zero chance that a team plays the way the Jets played tonight wins a playoff series.

It could be real ugly come the games that really matter.

 

[jetsfan15]

I liked Tofolli - Scheifele - Vilardi tonight.

See that’s a change I would like to see for a game or two. What I don’t understand is this stubbornness to keep going back to 81-55. But it’s not just the whole 81 vs 27 thing. There are so many other decisions that are out of left field - like keeping 91 out for like, what was it, 15 games? That was wild, for someone who at one point was on pace for 60 points. A game or two in the press box is one thing, but it went on and on and on. Comes back, played unreal, but two bad periods in a game where everyone played bad other than Helly and he’s back to riding the bench. Not sure what the “message” is. Maybe that’s something that happened 25 years ago in the NHL but in 2024 this old school way of doing things doesn’t necessarily work. Also, the Pionk playing time is just flat out inexplicable.

 

[UFO]

Vilardi has some insanely talented hands. We beat a good team, even though we didn't play our best. That's what good teams sometimes do.

 

[jetsfan15]

Hamilton was strongly hinting at it being the case a week or two ago on WST. I was surprised at how strongly it was inferred when he said it.

Well if thats true, that’s on Bones for not controlling his locker room. Can’t let the players call the shots. Coach has to be able to make the decisions without “politics” - this is NHL hockey. Imagine if Tortorella was the coach (no, I’m not suggesting that would be a good thing - but I don’t think he’s let “politics” affect his decision making ability lol)

 

[jetsfan15]

Bones said he liked how his lines looked in the third period

Don’t shoot the messenger

lol! I couldn’t believe it when I listened to the post game interview. Don’t get me wrong, 27-55-13 didn’t look good, but neither did 81-55-13. Not sure how he possibly thought that watching that game. Maybe trying to defend or justify his decision?

 

[raideralex99]

I get a kick of the people saying if you play like that vs the Avs its 4 straight losses.
The Avs last 5 games they were only able to beat the Wild. They lost 4-1 to Columbus ... Oilers scored 6 goals against them and the Star scored 7 goals against them. If the Avs play like that they will be out in 4 games.
No question the Jets played terrible other than Helle but don't forget other teams have bad games too.
Also this Ehlers Connor debate is so ridiculous.

 

[surixon]

Happy we got the win and have secured a seeded slot but man did we stink. So many poor turnovers and missed assignments. Helle played well.

It seemed Cole and Ehlers were benched for their mistakes the last 10 minutes of the third. Honestly I don't have much issue with holding players accountable but it's getting a bit tiring seeing the coaching staff only willing to hold a select few accountable. Pionk was putridly awful tonight for instance and no change in usage. This selective accountability eventually breeds resentment and fractures rooms.

 

[Flair Hay]

Well if thats true, that’s on Bones for not controlling his locker room. Can’t let the players call the shots. Coach has to be able to make the decisions without “politics” - this is NHL hockey. Imagine if Tortorella was the coach (no, I’m not suggesting that would be a good thing - but I don’t think he’s let “politics” affect his decision making ability lol)

It was, to me at least, almost insinuating it was above his head. As oppose to him caving to locker room dynamics. How I interpreted it anyway.

 

[blueandgoldguy]

I'm not as negative on this game as most. The effort was there, just missing execution and some details. Our stars played well. Have to give Nashville some credit.

Ehlers was terrible. Not just the turnovers. He was flying around like a top playing his own game. He's not going to get anywhere skating in on his own and giving the puck away. He needs to use his teammates.

Pionk was also terrible. I don't blame him. He's just not very good.

Problem is Chevy decided to pay him like he is.

 

[winnipegger]

I forget which goal or chance it was, but I'm not sure if I've ever seen a defenseman be as gassed as Pionk was. He literally couldn't skate.

Despite the craptacular win, the jets are a top 3 team in the division and won't be playing Dallas by the looks of it.

 

[Jets 31]

Nice to pick up the 2 points, what a goal from Volare , now we dance.

 

[GNP]

Whether you win 7-0 or 4-3 in OT you still only get 2 points, not sure what they were doing in the 2nd and 3rd but you have to give the Preds some credit, they have motors that don't quit and hit everything in site they will be a tough match up as long as Saros plays lights out. Jets have 102 points, and that tells me they are a very good team

a famous NFL Coach who is a hall of Famer, who I admire greatly, said -- "you are what your record says you are." So you are right on here, as the Jets have 102 points and likely will finish around 106 -108 points. The Jets are a very good team, so lets see them win the Western Conference Title. Their record is amongst the best in the NHL right now.

 

[Jets 31]

Is Bowness a perfect coach that makes exactly the right moves all the time? No. But no coach does. The Jets have 102 points right now, how many more points do people think we should have if Bowness was a even halfway good coach like some on here constantly say? Do people think with a decent coach we would at least be at 120 points right now? I am a admitted homer and even i don't think we would.

 

[WolfHouse]

a famous NFL Coach who is a hall of Famer, who I admire greatly, said -- "you are what your record says you are." So you are right on here, as the Jets have 102 points and likely will finish around 106 -108 points. The Jets are a very good team, so lets see them win the Western Conference Title. Their record is amongst the best in the NHL right now.

Don't look at our record since Connors return then...

 

[ps241]

I am on day 10 of this 5am challenge right now so I went to bed after watching the 1st period. Things were looking great, did I miss anything

 

[KingBogo]

Always love some of the hot takes on the boards. Pure entertainment.

Nice to see the Jets are still fuelled by passion.

Yup you can just make stuff out of thin air, post it and pretend it is true.

 

[WpgSteve]

Problem is Chevy decided to pay him like he is.

In fairness, Pionk has shown the ability to play up to his contact at times. His game is taxing on the body and I wonder if the rigors of a long season have caught up with him. Bones should rest him for a few games.

 

[The Big M]

My take
Jets really had a terrific first period. We made Saros and Nashville look quite ordinary.
Did Ehlers make both bad giveaways on the same shift? Seemed like it.
Still think he's a terrific player and person as I wear his name on the back of my jersey.

I don't quite get the negative comments about Pionk and the rest of the Jets team today.
Didn't he set up the winning goal by taking out physically one of the Nashville players? Isn't he one of the few NHL players with 100+ hits and 100+ blocks?

Watching a picture of Kyle and Hellebuyck after the game, they sure seemed happy to have won the game.

I understand the idea of debate and criticism, but some posts take it too far.

Support your Winnipeg Jets, your city, and enjoy the playoffs.

 

[Thechozen1]

I get a kick of the people saying if you play like that vs the Avs its 4 straight losses.
The Avs last 5 games they were only able to beat the Wild. They lost 4-1 to Columbus ... Oilers scored 6 goals against them and the Star scored 7 goals against them. If the Avs play like that they will be out in 4 games.
No question the Jets played terrible other than Helle but don't forget other teams have bad games too.
Also this Ehlers Connor debate is so ridiculous.

Difference is that Avalanche core knows how to win in the playoffs. This Jets core has mostly disappointed big time in the playoffs.

 

[MrBoJangelz71]

If you removed the first shift of Ehlers, and removed every shift for Pionk, this game is not as bad as it looked.

Pionk bombing hail marry passes around the boards when he has time to skate it out or make an intelligent pass to an actual player, is killing us. His crap passing and blown coverage puts his teammates in bad spots, having to draw penalties.

At one point I had him at 7 unforced giveaways. At this point, Schmidt is a much better option.

 

[cbcwpg]

I get a kick of the people saying if you play like that vs the Avs its 4 straight losses.
The Avs last 5 games they were only able to beat the Wild. They lost 4-1 to Columbus ... Oilers scored 6 goals against them and the Star scored 7 goals against them. If the Avs play like that they will be out in 4 games.
No question the Jets played terrible other than Helle but don't forget other teams have bad games too.
Also this Ehlers Connor debate is so ridiculous.

Let's give up 50 shots per game to the Avs and see how a playoffs series against them goes...

 

[Jet]

Coaches should have benched kc. Nothing wrong with calling Ehlers out when he plays badly but he is usually one of our best. Coaches decisions don’t always make sense.

I completely understand that line of thinking, however, I saw the effort with Kyle last night, and the problem with scratching an elite scorer like Connor is you're basically handicapping yourself. He can have a poor game and still score an important goal any time he's on the ice, kind of like what he did last night.

Hockey history is littered with elite scorers like this that frustrate the hell out of you with their play but always find a way to put the puck in the net.

 

[tarozi]

I've stated previously that our D is too small and I stand by that. Not saying I hate our D, just that we are not a deep playoff team as constructed. Pionk is doing his best but he is getting bullied out there. Stanley is not the answer right now and we have better options. The makeup and systems employed are contrary more than they are complementary.

 

[cbcwpg]

I completely understand that line of thinking, however, I saw the effort with Kyle last night, and the problem with scratching an elite scorer like Connor is you're basically handicapping yourself. He can have a poor game and still score an important goal any time he's on the ice, kind of like what he did last night.

Hockey history is littered with elite scorers like this that frustrate the hell out of you with their play but always find a way to put the puck in the net.

That's the problem coaches have with players like Connor. He can play like dog crap for 60 minutes, but the second you let up on him and give him a chance to score, it's in the net. You can't staple a guy like that to the bench, because you are right, you are only hurting your chances to win.

 

[Jet]

If you removed the first shift of Ehlers, and removed every shift for Pionk, this game is not as bad as it looked.

Pionk bombing hail marry passes around the boards when he has time to skate it out or make an intelligent pass to an actual player, is killing us. His crap passing and blown coverage puts his teammates in bad spots, having to draw penalties.

At one point I had him at 7 unforced giveaways. At this point, Schmidt is a much better option.

That was by far the worst game I've seen Neal play. It's was atrocious.

He had zero confidence and it went to his legs and his head.

He made an uncontested pass in front of his net in the third and just... fell down. He stood around and let the pressure come to him and take away all his options.

He had a clear bank pass to Schiefele in the third for a man advantage break that be buried so bad that it came right back and ended up in our net.

He needs to sit. Get Miller in there, make Pionk hungry again cause he's too much in his head atm.

As for ehlers it was more than the first shift. I'm not really sure what was up with him.