Post-Game Talk: Slip Sliding Away Jets lose 4-2

[Thechozen1]

This season was fun while it lasted, but the cancer that ran through the core of this team is back. This group assembled as is, is incapable of consistency. They’re a fragile lot that apparently lose all of their scoring touch. BLOW IT UP!

This team inspires zero confidence from me. May as well start looking forward to the draft.

 

[macmaroon]

1 loser point for me in the prediction contest!

Was it worth the ridicule...

 

[WaveRaven]

This is the worst possible spot to be in. Not good enough to do any damage too good to get top picks. They are a bubble team that when the real hockey starts can't compete.

They need to seriously retool. Not necessarily blow it up completely.

 

[GeorgeJETson]

Was it worth the ridicule...

 

[Jet]

Part of it was Helle being subpar. At one point, it was 3 goals on 15 shots. Meanwhile, Jets had 2 goals on ~26 shots. This was before the end of the game.

Granted, I wasn't paying close attention, so others may have more insight.

It was 3 goals on 9 shots including 2 really ugly ones.

Folignos opening goal was a snipe but even that shot was unscreened from 40 feet out and plenty of time for Helle to get set.

Helle hasn't been this teams problem for most of this skid but he certainly has the past 5 or so starts.

The PP continues to dink around the perimeter and just kills this teams momentum.

One play in particular the puck came to Scheifele and he had a clear path to walk right into the slot for a grade A shot and he just stood there and passed the puck to the point.

If I was Lauer I'd completely change the PP and force these guys to funnel pucks to the net.

Get rid of the umbrella, put 2 guys up at the point and run it like a 5v5. Spread out the talent, use Niederraiter net front on 1 and Barron on two ans just start hammering pucks at the net. Have the wingers just looking for rebounds or working mini 3 on 2's down low.

Doesn't have to be a permanent change but the mindset on the pp has to change.

 

[surixon]

It was 3 goals on 9 shots including 2 really ugly ones.

Folignos opening goal was a snipe but even that shot was unscreened from 40 feet out and plenty of time for Helle to get set.

Helle hasn't been this teams problem for most of this skid but he certainly has the past 5 or so starts.

The PP continues to dink around the perimeter and just kills this teams momentum.

One play in particular the puck came to Scheifele and he had a clear path to walk right into the slot for a grade A shot and he just stood there and passed the puck to the point.

If I was Lauer I'd completely change the PP and force these guys to funnel pucks to the net.

Get rid of the umbrella, put 2 guys up at the point and run it like a 5v5. Spread out the talent, use Niederraiter net front on 1 and Barron on two ans just start hammering pucks at the net. Have the wingers just looking for rebounds or working mini 3 on 2's down low.

Doesn't have to be a permanent change but the mindset on the pp has to change.

Yup I've been saying for a while now Mark needs to watch Mackinnon on the PP. Mack always is willing to walk in and shoot when the lane is open and if Mark started to do the same we'd get some results as we all know what type of shot Mark has.

We also don't seem to have the same luck on the high tip play other teams have. Conner has put it in good spots and we have gotten the tip but no luck on beating the goalies this year.

 

[Jack7222]

No it won't change this year. I'm just pretty frustrated like most on here. Yeah it will come back to fundamental hockey which isn't a strong point for our group.

I don't mind our d and PK schemes but I'm so sick of this org having no clue on how to help our skilled forwards out. We aren't Colorado, Edmonton, NJ etc where we have a group of high skilled and incredibly quick forwards that can just pull teams out with pure speed or physical ability. What we have is a forward core with players with high levels of hockey iq. We need to build schemes that work around this but we just either play system less hockey in the ozone or incredibly basic puck to point and shoot it at net with traffic hockey. They need to build things that take advantage of our players ability to play In traffic, understanding of lanes and spacing etc....

I just don't get it, this team prioritizes hockey IQ on draft day more then any other attribute but doesn't employee systems to take advantage of it.

I was actually happy with the game last night and it seems like we're trending in the right direction play-wise... BUT what you're saying is so g-damned true.

Our team feels schizophrenic; it feels like half our team are lunch-pail workman types with zero scoring, and the other half are flashy guys. But workman types without scoring are AKA 4th liners, and flashy guys who think they're above the work and aren't really playing in an offense-first system are going to look like they're playing rec hockey. It's incredibly frustrating.

It's pretty funny that guys like Namestnikov and Nito come in and suddenly look like our best players. If those are the types we need for our system, why are we even hanging on to Connor and Ehlers? Why didn't we cash in and fill our whole team with the right players in summer? The team just doesn't feel like it knows what it's trying to do imo

 

[Jets 31]

It was 3 goals on 9 shots including 2 really ugly ones.

Folignos opening goal was a snipe but even that shot was unscreened from 40 feet out and plenty of time for Helle to get set.

Helle hasn't been this teams problem for most of this skid but he certainly has the past 5 or so starts.

The PP continues to dink around the perimeter and just kills this teams momentum.

One play in particular the puck came to Scheifele and he had a clear path to walk right into the slot for a grade A shot and he just stood there and passed the puck to the point.

If I was Lauer I'd completely change the PP and force these guys to funnel pucks to the net.

Get rid of the umbrella, put 2 guys up at the point and run it like a 5v5. Spread out the talent, use Niederraiter net front on 1 and Barron on two ans just start hammering pucks at the net. Have the wingers just looking for rebounds or working mini 3 on 2's down low.

Doesn't have to be a permanent change but the mindset on the pp has to change.

I don't want to get on Helly too much but you are right Helly hasn't been like Helly for a few games now. That's why i would play him alot down the stretch, he plays better the more he plays.

 

[StumpyTown]

Six more losses? You think Calgary is going 14-3?

I'm more worried about Nashville who are only 6 points back with 4 games in hand.

 

[John Agar]

I was actually happy with the game last night and it seems like we're trending in the right direction play-wise... BUT what you're saying is so g-damned true.

Our team feels schizophrenic; it feels like half our team are lunch-pail workman types with zero scoring, and the other half are flashy guys. But workman types without scoring are AKA 4th liners, and flashy guys who think they're above the work and aren't really playing in an offense-first system are going to look like they're playing rec hockey. It's incredibly frustrating.

It's pretty funny that guys like Namestnikov and Nito come in and suddenly look like our best players. If those are the types we need for our system, why are we even hanging on to Connor and Ehlers? Why didn't we cash in and fill our whole team with the right players in summer? The team just doesn't feel like it knows what it's trying to do imo

You're on to something...

Can't agree necessarily with the names you put up...

But you're on to something...

 

[surixon]

I was actually happy with the game last night and it seems like we're trending in the right direction play-wise... BUT what you're saying is so g-damned true.

Our team feels schizophrenic; it feels like half our team are lunch-pail workman types with zero scoring, and the other half are flashy guys. But workman types without scoring are AKA 4th liners, and flashy guys who think they're above the work and aren't really playing in an offense-first system are going to look like they're playing rec hockey. It's incredibly frustrating.

It's pretty funny that guys like Namestnikov and Nito come in and suddenly look like our best players. If those are the types we need for our system, why are we even hanging on to Connor and Ehlers? Why didn't we cash in and fill our whole team with the right players in summer? The team just doesn't feel like it knows what it's trying to do imo

Exactly, our system is built for lunch pail hockey but we continually draft for high skill players who don't score/play that way. There is some disconnect somewhere in the org.

It's like they got hoodwinked by those early pack of Wolves teams but those teams had completely different roster configurations and completely different player types as the key drivers.

 

[Jets 31]

And change the PP, put Scheifele back in front of the net for the one timer from behind the net. Scheifele, Connor, Neo , Ehlers and Morrissey on the 1st unit. No more Wheeler on PP 1 either.

 

[Teppo]

I have a feeling they are not coming back home after this road trip

I think it is time for a coaching change. I had the privilege of watching JohnnyOnTheSpot coach his team. The Jet's need a coach like him that runs his team with passion and commitment. Johnny's players would jump through a brick wall for him. I just don't see that attitude with the Jets. I think they look at Bones as just one of the guys. I hope one day Johnny is part of the Jet's coaching staff.

 

[BoneDocUK]

Traditionally they only run the table at the end of the year once they’ve been mathematically eliminated.

Yep. No one did garbage time hockey like the 2014-17 Jets.

Can't deny it was a blast watching the kids go win collecting at the end of the year, even if it did crash the draft.

Hope, baby. Could use some of that now.

 

[Jets 31]

Yup I've been saying for a while now Mark needs to watch Mackinnon on the PP. Mack always is willing to walk in and shoot when the lane is open and if Mark started to do the same we'd get some results as we all know what type of shot Mark has.

We also don't seem to have the same luck on the high tip play other teams have. Conner has put it in good spots and we have gotten the tip but no luck on beating the goalies this year.

MacKinnon is a way better and faster skater than Scheifele though and can accelerate way faster. I would like Scheifele back in front of the net because he has the best onetimer on the team.

 

[Channelcat]

It would be nice to think that there is a fix for this, like we just need to work harder etc.. But, the last two games in particular this team has been playing hard. Perhaps reality is that the roster just isn't very good, particularly now without PLD and with Helly being average. We had our "new coach bump" now we are back to the mean.

 

[BoneDocUK]

I get that but I also very much get what the other side of the thread says because how long is this supposed to last now? Because we've been playing a lot better lately according to the metrics and SOG numbers, sure. What is that worth if you still keep on losing the game at the end of the day?

Playing like garbage and deservingly losing a game because they don't care is one thing, and it sucks. Losing even though you're dominating the Sharks and Wild is another thing... and it is a thing that might be even more worrying when you look at the entire picture since the ASG. I think a talented team has an easier time to get out of a "not working hard enough" slump as compared to coming out of a "everything pretty much is awful right now BUT the metrics" kind of slump. What do you actually do to get out of a slump like that? Work harder? Return to the basics of your system? Win puck battles? Get in front of the net? Any other typical hockey classic? - but the numbers and the eye-test say, we're achieving all those things.

At that point I'm getting even more worried tbh.

Excellent post.

It's been a wild ride the past few years (and a Wild ride last night). Choose your poison from these two hallowed Jets' team identities:

- Team blows in most metrics, somehow outscores opposition, wins unsustainedly, lacks the structure and depth to go on a playoff run, gets swept

- Team improved in most metrics, somehow outscored by opposition, loses unsustainedly, may have the structure if not depth to go on playoff run but gets pipped to the most by [insert hated rival here], misses playoffs and/or gets swept

Welcome to our 2019-2023 Jerts. Good / not good.

 

[Jets 31]

And has anyone seen Kyle Connor? I like Connor but he needs to start potting some goals. 1 goal in the last 7 games just isn't getting it done.

 

[Jetfaninflorida]

I hope we find our way into the post season and make some noise. But to me it's looking more and more like we need to blow up this core, and Chevy is not the guy to rebuild it. Three playoff round wins in 11 completed seasons is simply not very good. Every year for the last 5 years we talk about the need to go all in with this core while we are in our contention window, and we flame out spectacularly. News flash, the window that Chevy created was a one and done in 2017-18.

 

[BoneDocUK]

Exactly, our system is built for lunch pail hockey but we continually draft for high skill players who don't score/play that way. There is some disconnect somewhere in the org.

It's like they got hoodwinked by those early pack of Wolves teams but those teams had completely different roster configurations and completely different player types as the key drivers.

This.

Also, those lunchpail guys were not these lunchpail guys.

Prime Perreault, Copp, Armia and Tanev elevate any 4th line in the league and even most 3rd lines. Stenlund, KK, Gus, Whoever do not. Barron someday maybe.

And last night's 2nd line -- WTF was than anyway? Ehlers did what he could but that top 6 was just brutal. 2023 Wheeler should be nowhere near your top lines / PP1.

 

[LowLefty]

Exactly, our system is built for lunch pail hockey but we continually draft for high skill players who don't score/play that way. There is some disconnect somewhere in the org.

It's like they got hoodwinked by those early pack of Wolves teams but those teams had completely different roster configurations and completely different player types as the key drivers.

I don't think the lunch pail hockey was the plan from the beginning - the org knows what they have and what they are capable of.
But when a team is struggling with execution (for an extended period), coaching to a simple system makes sense.

Our players have the skill to be able to adapt or shift in how they play - I don't think anyone is asking KC, Ehlers or Scheif to play power forward roles, but they are asking them to do pretty basic hockey that might include going to the net or work to the open ice for better opportunities.
How may rebounds did Fleury leave laying around all night that our guys had no desire jump on - that takes a lot more work and a desire to go to the hard areas of the ice - there is no reason why our skill can't do that. The problem is, they don't appear to want to.

When you are playing sloppy hockey and struggling to even complete a pass, you need to reset and that usually begins with fundamentals - and your team needs to be willing to shift to that sort of game until they sort things out. I do not believe for a minute, that they are not capable of doing that. It looks more like they either don't want to or are struggling with the idea of keeping it simple.

Greasy goals count too - and Fleury left a ton of opportunity for this team to score a bunch of them last night. Is our core too elite for that task or are they not interested in getting to the hard areas of the ice. We are a perimeter team at this point - 5v5 and on the PP. That is the basic issue right now.

 

[Jet]

I don't want to get on Helly too much but you are right Helly hasn't been like Helly for a few games now. That's why i would play him alot down the stretch, he plays better the more he plays.

Yup you have to ride that horse to the finish line. If he can't turn it around we'll either miss or get bounced in the first round anyways.

 

[SLAYER]

This team, my goodness

 

[Jack7222]

This.

Also, those lunchpail guys were not these lunchpail guys.

Prime Perreault, Copp, Armia and Tanev elevate any 4th line in the league and even most 3rd lines. Stenlund, KK, Gus, Whoever do not. Barron someday maybe.

And last night's 2nd line -- WTF was than anyway? Ehlers did what he could but that top 6 was just brutal. 2023 Wheeler should be nowhere near your top lines / PP1.

Prime Perreault was several tiers above our current bottom 6 crop. He was a legit 1st line player most nights in terms of production and made every line he played on better. After Buff he's the guy I miss the most

 

[Jets 31]

This team, my goodness

Gummies are the key to coping.