Post-Game Talk: So that is what heartbreak feels like. Jets can’t score on Valentine’s Day.

[surixon]

Well what can you say.

The organization spends half the week hyping up the Maurice extension and the players elect to show their appreciation of the contract extension by pulling one of there best disappearing acts of the season.

I really have to wonder just how in touch with the players this ownership and management group is. This certainly didn't look like a bunch of guys who were willing to battle for their coach tonight. I don't really know where exactly we go from here since its clear management/ownership has hitched their wagon to the Moe train. Really the other big option is major roster surgery in a league and industry where making trades and upgrading the roster isn't easy.

Now onto the game:

I really hope that Niku was actually nicked up enough that he couldn't go tonight and it wasn't just an excuse by Maurice to get all his big PK dmen who can't move the puck worth a shit in the line up tonight. Exhibit A of what having maybe one dmen in the bottom 4 who can move the puck looks like. Kulikov and Poolman were Putrid in large part because they constantly failed to move the puck effectively out of their end. It also shows the importance of what Niku brings to a team.

Maybe a few players had decent nights but otherwise nothing really positive to say about the players.

As for matchups I really don't know why Maurice moved away from the Scheifele vs Kane matchup. They seemed to be playing well and winning it early. Moe elected to move Copp up to the second line and then hard match that line while moving Scheifele to play infront of the Kulikov pairing. Both lines struggled mightily after that switch. I like Copp but he gets a bit exposed every time he moves to the second line. He is perfect in that 3 hole against other teams depth but has a hard time when moved up. The switch also hurt the other forward lines imo.

 

[ocdaddy]

Here's a wild idea that just occurred to me - what if they brought in a new voice behind the bench to kind of hit the reset button? Help these guys get over their psychological block or whatever it is. Has any team ever tried something like that? I think it's worth a shot. Maybe not today - let's give Maurice a bit more time. If things aren't way better by...February 2023, maybe it'll be time to start exploring this kind of radical move...

You mean like the other 30 teams do? That's pretty radical man..

The window is CLOSED.

 

[DudeWhereIsMakar]

Hurts more considering it's Kane that beat us... again.

Glad I wasn't at the game today.

 

[surixon]

Didn’t see what happened at the end but sometimes I wish we’d give a few two handers back.

Linesman jumped in quickly before we could retaliate

 

[Deedog99]

Not much we can do with Wheeler's NMC. Trade only happens with Wheeler's approval, and I don't see him wanting to be parted from a man he would go through a wall for.

Scheifele on the other hand can and should be moved. For the simple reason that everything about his play, his demeanour, etc screams that he is unhappy here. I would not be surprised if he asked for a trade during or after last season and was told firmly, won't happen. The club should rethink that position. It's time this apple got cored.

Yeah. Ok. Get rid of a point per game centre. He's in a slump. Settle down.

 

[surixon]

Friendly sharks fan here - I came here to ask what happened at the end - my feed (and the sj announcers) seemed to indicate that Goodrow tapped Jets #4 on the helmet at the blueline, just as the horn sounded. Ive rewatched the last seconds a few times, and Kane does nothing, and goodrow does something and #4 appears to be somewhat shaken by it - but its hard to see what happened to #4 (its right at the edge of the feed when it happens) - anyone else have more details?

Also, what was the jets coaching staff upset about with 6.5 seconds left? They were screaming at the officials... any idea?

I was at the game and Goodrow gave a solid two hand slash to Pionk

 

[Zippity]

What’s going on with Scheifele?

 

[surixon]

Great points. Dude does not lay the lumber EVER anymore. Wow just wow.

My guess is he is playing with a separated shoulder and will have surgery at the end of the year. He hasn't been near as physical since suffering that mysterious upper body injury in a pre game warm near the beginning of the year.

 

[voyageur]

We shouldn't need much of a 4th line to beat this team. - You're right in that they didn't get a lot of ice time but they never do (and won't until our injured return).
You can call it momentum - I'd call it sitting on a lead and taking their foot off the gas - they had us bottled up most of the night and it really didn't take much to do that - they rolled over us in our end. Our D is as good as it is - I'm calling them bad but it's not like they are playing under their pay grade. The Sharks plan was pretty clear to me - tenderize a few of our D men and take over the front of the net where there is little resistance.

From my chair, we couldn't get anything going through the NZ due to spending too much time chasing in our end - not because our 4th line didn't see enough ice.
We were OK on the PK but we were not OK 5 on 5 as you pointed out - and 5 on 5 is where your D play along the boards, behind the net and in front, really gets exposed.

I agree that we could have won - we're pretty good in the O zone with a man advantage - or when the opposition decides they have enough to win and stop playing their game.

In the 2nd period I thought Kulikov and Poolman were good, very good on the boards, moved the puck well out of the zone. Even Beaulieu-Sbisa were decent. All of our bottom 4 d were able to match the physicality, except Pionk, who still controlled play more than anyone. Biggest problems I saw from us, was the length of the passes, constantly across the ice, once exiting the zone, so little sustained pressure. A lot of work to get out of our end, but the work being put in. But the 3rd was ugly to start. No shots whatsoever, hardly even any attempts. Poolman started to look overwhelmed as the game went on, and that is probably conditioning as much as anything. Nothing gets you in game shape like playing. Prevent defense didn't work, as it has most of the year. Both goals could have been saves, and we walk away with 2 points. I guess now it is just analysis, damage is done.

 

[surixon]

It was really a momentum swing. Jets took momentum in the 2nd. After the PP goal. And Maurice's adjustment.
But the 3rd they were flat, shifts were sloppy, and not hard enough, which may have to do with the fuel the team burns playing mostly 3 lines. And let's face it we can't play 4 lines, 3 injuries at forward and we don't have the depth to cover them.

Our defense wasn't bad. I thought Pionk was the best defenseman on the ice. Yes there is the weakness of defending the front of the net, but really it is Morrissey that struggles as much as anyone in this aspect. He was off tonight. I thought the team was really good at collapsing to negate chances until the 3rd . I was impressed how well the defense stood up on the PK, as a positive. Used to losing the special teams battles this year, we lost this one 5 on 5, and easily could have won. That's kind of how heartbreak works.

Interesting, I thought the opposite with the top pairing. I thought Pionk struggled with his retrievals and at moving the puck effectively tonight. Also thought he killed some plays offensively with a few sub par decisions. He was good on the PP and with the g0alie pulled but thought he was sub par at ES tonight.

I though Morrissey gapped really well and was more on point with his passing and broke up the cycle quite effectively.

The second pairing was terrible at defending the front of the net and they made things much harder on themselves not being able to get the puck out with control.

 

[nobody imp0rtant]

I blame Beyak for invoking...

Our big guns tonight were...

 

[Cypruss]

Jets need to find that guy that will get 15- 20 goals run you thru the boards and drop you in a fight, maybe even 2.......................dreaming big time on my part

So you want a Boone Jenner or Nick Foligno kind of guy. Ya, I would be ok with that for sure.

 

[surixon]

I would be making a play for Sam Bennett. Good speed, physicality and he historically produces as a solid third liner. I would have no issue with him on our third.

I also wouldn't be opposed to going for a big physical second line C. We may have to step up to the plate with a 2020 2nd, 2021 1st, Roslovic, Vesalinen package to get it done but it is needed.

 

[White Out 902]

Someone said it best. Out tram is full of dumb dumbs. Smarten up Jesus. Bunch of knucklehead.

 

[GaryPoppins]

Cheers to 3 more years of this!

#Risetomediocrity

 

[John Agar]

I would be making a play for Sam Bennett. Good speed, physicality and he historically produces as a solid third liner. I would have no issue with him on our third.

I also wouldn't be opposed to going for a big physical second line C. We may have to step up to the plate with a 2020 2nd, 2021 1st, Roslovic, Vesalinen package to get it done but it is needed.

I agree about Sam Bennett...

Too much offered for him though...

A 2nd and Vesalianen should do it...

 

[surixon]

I agree about Sam Bennett...

Too much offered for him though...

A 2nd and Vesalianen should do it...

Sorry, the bottom package was for a good physical 1B center. Sam Bennet shouldn't cost more then a second. No way I also throw in Ves.

 

[voyageur]

Interesting, I thought the opposite with the top pairing. I thought Pionk struggled with his retrievals and at moving the puck effectively tonight. Also thought he killed some plays offensively with a few sub par decisions. He was good on the PP and with the g0alie pulled but thought he was sub par at ES tonight.

I though Morrissey gapped really well and was more on point with his passing and broke up the cycle quite effectively.

The second pairing was terrible at defending the front of the net and they made things much harder on themselves not being able to get the puck out with control.

Kulikov is a pretty good puck mover. You could tell he was frustrated with the 2 goals against. 1st was a fluke, off the shin pad and right into the wheel house. 2nd was just a breakdown, somebody cheated up front, to create the extra numbers. And Helly whiffed on the rebound. #7 almost singlehandedly made it 3-3 with his one on one battle and pass to Laine up the gut. I liked Poolman's work along the wall. But whether it is he or Niku we are stretching putting them in top 4 roles, against big guns. Still I thought our defense stood up pretty well. Finished checks. Pionk is good at this too, but by slowing down the forwards in front of him, with good gap. His skating and heads up passing make so many plays, you hardly notice how good he is. I didn't really notice Morrissey. But I will take your word.

 

[John Agar]

Sorry, the bottom package was for a good physical 1B center. Sam Bennet shouldn't cost more then a second. No way I also throw in Ves.

Fair enough...

 

[LowLefty]

In the 2nd period I thought Kulikov and Poolman were good, very good on the boards, moved the puck well out of the zone. Even Beaulieu-Sbisa were decent. All of our bottom 4 d were able to match the physicality, except Pionk, who still controlled play more than anyone. Biggest problems I saw from us, was the length of the passes, constantly across the ice, once exiting the zone, so little sustained pressure. A lot of work to get out of our end, but the work being put in. But the 3rd was ugly to start. No shots whatsoever, hardly even any attempts. Poolman started to look overwhelmed as the game went on, and that is probably conditioning as much as anything. Nothing gets you in game shape like playing. Prevent defense didn't work, as it has most of the year. Both goals could have been saves, and we walk away with 2 points. I guess now it is just analysis, damage is done.

Good point - I noticed the passing issue also (or length of) - a lack of speed is usually the cause and that comes from our zone exits.
If they can't get any speed built up out of our end and through the NZ, you usually end of making lateral passes that don't cover any ground - and you all end up at the blue line at the same time. It's how we exit that is the issue IMO - no speed, nothing clean, mostly dumps or chipped outlets that catch everyone flatfooted.

Sorry, but I can't agree with you on the D game tonight - I thought Kuli and Poolman were out of position a lot - both a minus 3 tonight.
I agree with Poolman's conditioning - very likely a factor in his play tonight.

We need help on the back end - I can't how we can avoid this issue without it - IMO

 

[Zippity]

It’s too bad Wheeler didn’t give Kane another black eye

 

[LowLefty]

Interesting, I thought the opposite with the top pairing. I thought Pionk struggled with his retrievals and at moving the puck effectively tonight. Also thought he killed some plays offensively with a few sub par decisions. He was good on the PP and with the g0alie pulled but thought he was sub par at ES tonight.

He was hearing footsteps . . .

 

[John Agar]

God point - I noticed the passing issue also (or length of) - a lack of speed is usually the cause and that comes from our zone exits.
If they can't get any speed built up out of our end and through the NZ, you usually end of making lateral passes that don't cover any ground - and you all end up at the blue line at the same time. It's how we exit that is the issue IMO - no speed, nothing clean, mostly dumps or chipped outlets that catch everyone flatfooted.

Sorry, but I can't agree with you on the D game tonight - I thought Kuli and Poolman were out of position a lot - both a minus 3 tonight.
I agree with Poolman's conditioning - very likely a factor in his play tonight.

We need help on the back end - I can't how we can avoid this issue without it - IMO

Yes and yes...

Personally IMO we will over pay if we do something to get D' going into the trade deadline...

Odds of a first round exit high...

2nd round exit absolutely...

Better to hoard our chips and go for the draft and July 1 to improve the team considerably...

 

[John Agar]

He was hearing footsteps . . .

Feeling Elbows...

And feeling two handers...

With no back up...

This is the Jets...

 

[surixon]

Kulikov is a pretty good puck mover. You could tell he was frustrated with the 2 goals against. 1st was a fluke, off the shin pad and right into the wheel house. 2nd was just a breakdown, somebody cheated up front, to create the extra numbers. And Helly whiffed on the rebound. #7 almost singlehandedly made it 3-3 with his one on one battle and pass to Laine up the gut. I liked Poolman's work along the wall. But whether it is he or Niku we are stretching putting them in top 4 roles, against big guns. Still I thought our defense stood up pretty well. Finished checks. Pionk is good at this too, but by slowing down the forwards in front of him, with good gap. His skating and heads up passing make so many plays, you hardly notice how good he is. I didn't really notice Morrissey. But I will take your word.

Yes they need an upgrade in the worst kind of way in the bottom 4. Poolman and Niku are ideally our bottom pairing. I find Poolman solid at maintaining his gap and is good along the walls, but he is really bad (Like almost worst in the league according to the metrics) bad at moving the puck effectively out of the zone with control. Niku can move the puck but struggles on the wall so I see some complimentary skills.

Second pairing needs to be completely revamped.