Post-Game Talk: The Wild Life
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Overall, I agree. I thought the Scheifele line was awful the first two periods, especially on the PP. They were also really weak in their own zone, with a lot of soft play. They took a couple more careless penalties tonight, too. Laine continues to struggle, but that whole line was out of kilter.
I will preface this that I only saw the first two periods of play and not the third as I had to run some errands. By the sounds of things, the Wild collapsed into their own zone and clogged the neutral zone to protect the two goal lead, which isn't all that surprising.
Chief's final eyetest(s):
- I do subscribe to the "faceoffs don't matter that much" line of thinking, but when your top two lines win 6 faceoffs and lose 22 others in a game where you're trying to avoid the Minnesota trap... that's a big ol' oof that you just can't ignore, especially considering only 2 of the faceoffs in 5v5 play were taken in their defensive zone. It's a morale killer, especially when the whole team is struggling with maintaining possession through the neutral zone against a team that is very obviously playing to the Jets weaknesses of missing Ehlers and Buff, and over-reliance on the veterans. Too predictable.
- One thing that bothered me a lot... uh, can someone explain to me what the hell is Myers doing here? This has got to be the poorest effort of covering the front of your net on the penalty kill I've seen in a long, long time. What the hell is putting your stick between their legs going to do, other than the result we saw and perhaps getting called for a tripping penalty if Zucker turned around quickly?
- On that note, Myers and Chiarot struggled mightily tonight. Kevin Sawyer ranted on about how Chiarot is taking "smart" hits, but he constantly lets a subsequent Wild player get behind him forcing Myers to cover for him and you need another one of your forwards to play as a RHD. Both of them also took a lot of shots that Dubnyk saved and stopped play, allowing for a following Wild faceoff win. Thought they had a very poor showing from what I saw.
- The Lowry line and Kulikov-Morrow pairing played largely okay, other than allowing the first goal against. I will give full props to the Wild - this was a great play to work the puck back and forth behind the net forcing Hellebuyck to move in his crease against (for some reason) Perreault being your puck clearer in front of the blue paint as Morrow and Kulikov didn't move far from their respective nets posts. For the Wild, that's all they needed to play against a Kulikov-Morrow pairing, as they could focus on the forwards afterwards in stifling the Jets offense.
- Jets' feets are dragging in their defensive zone as they try to play 'zone coverage' with the nearest forward applying pressure, but by the time the Jets player gets to the Wild player who is moving the puck along the outside, they've already made a play to get it to another player and now that Jets player needs to pick up speed from standing still. In my opinion, this is a really poor game plan for a team of forwards often talked about on being speedy and big, and the Wild has done this now for THREE games this season.
- Everyone is quick to continue to pile on hate onto Laine, but I thought the 'top 6' played bad tonight. Maybe it's because opponents can simply plan against the Jets goalscorers being loaded onto two lines rather than being spread across the lineup? Time for Maurice to get with the times and get a top-9.
- Trouba as a rookie was good on the power play. Trouba right now on the power play is not. What the heck happened here? He and Wheeler playing catch along the right side killed every bit of momentum as they stayed out for 1:45 of 2:00 of power play time. Kyle Connor also cannot retrieve much pucks down low as well as Perreault can. Perreault and Morrissey (and Buff when back from injury) needs to get back on this PP1.
- Both power plays also need to figure out what they're doing in terms of zone entry because it's hot garbage. Once they set up, they're fine and dandy. They just rarely if ever set up. Yikes.
I disagree about Kulikov / Morrow. They got a lot of shot attempts, but I thought they were a mess in their own zone. Morrow is quite simply the softest defensive player I've seen in quite some time. Opponents just have free rein in his area all game long.
The Jets' forwards refused to provide any net-front presence. The Wild were giving them the point shot on the PP, but Scheifele and Connor refused to get into the sight-line of Dubnyk. As you noted, the Jets' D took a ton of shots that Dubnyk had no trouble with catching and freezing. Scheifele's goal was the result of good net-front presence by Little.
I agree about face-offs. Generally, I have a hunch that when the Jets' Cs are getting smoked in at the dot, they are just not sharp, and Scheifele and Lowry were definitely not sharp tonight.
I'm very happy to hear Brossoit is starting the next game -- he has the highest Save % in the NHL right now, above all Goaltenders. Not that I think Helle is playing badly, I think he's playing pretty good, but not making those near impossible saves like he was last year, and I think Brossoit can make them -- we will see. I think he'll play another fantastic game, and should get more starts - what does the guy have to do here ??
I sure hope Myers in not injured that bad, as the Jet's really need his scoring, and also with Buff, and Ehlers out we're missing 2 fast guys that can lead a rush and maintain possession in the offensive zone.(especially Ehlers) I hope Myers is in for the next game.
Also it be a very good idea to start Petan against the Wings, who are a fast skilled team, and Petan fits the bill perfectly for making those beautiful passes. I don't think Maurice likes him, but to me he's looked great his last 2 times out -way better than Appleton.
I sure hope Myers in not injured that bad, as the Jet's really need his scoring, and also with Buff, and Ehlers out we're missing 2 fast guys that can lead a rush and maintain possession in the offensive zone.(especially Ehlers) I hope Myers is in for the next game.
Also it be a very good idea to start Petan against the Wings, who are a fast skilled team, and Petan fits the bill perfectly for making those beautiful passes. I don't think Maurice likes him, but to me he's looked great his last 2 times out -way better than Appleton.
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[QUOTE="Whileee, post: 154876937,
I think it's time to move Perreault up to a line with Little and Laine, and re-adjust accordingly...
Connor-Scheifele-Wheeler
Perreault-Little-Laine
Copp-Lowry-Tanev
Lemieux-Roslovic-Appleton
By the way, I thought Lemieux had another decent game...[/QUOTE]
_______________________________________________________
Just replace Appleton for Petan, and this lineup looks pretty good.
I think it's time to move Perreault up to a line with Little and Laine, and re-adjust accordingly...
Connor-Scheifele-Wheeler
Perreault-Little-Laine
Copp-Lowry-Tanev
Lemieux-Roslovic-Appleton
By the way, I thought Lemieux had another decent game...[/QUOTE]
_______________________________________________________
Just replace Appleton for Petan, and this lineup looks pretty good.
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Wonder what the avalanche odds were 3 weeks ago. Now there probably half what they were 3 weeks ago. Plus I said I wouldn't bet on them so no need for a bookie.
WPGChief
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Maukkis
EZ4ENCE
- Mar 16, 2016
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I wonder if Maurice knows he is legally allowed to use Niku and bench all of Myers, Chiarot, and Morrow.
raideralex99
Whiteout Is Coming.
WTF are you talking about?
Chiarot was not on the ice for any of the Wild goals he lead the d with the most hits and drove to the net with a good scoring chance in the 3rd. He's not Drew Doughty but then if you want a Drew Doughty it will cost you $11 million. Chiarot at 1.4 million is a steal ... I know 30 other teams would love to have him at that price.
Maukkis
EZ4ENCE
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None of the three are good defensemen at this level. This is over a meaningful sample size. I am sick of wasting a potentially useful one in Niku.
The problem is evident. Part of the solution is too.
Robinson2187
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Robinson2187
Registered Schmoozer
I just can't help but think this is a game the Jets would have won last season 2 to 1 maybe 3 to 1 with a open net goal . Helly is not the same goaltender as last season , yet . He was too deep in his net on 2 of the goals and as much as i like Helly and want him to do well , .875 save percentage is not good enough . As soon as the Wild scored first you knew it was going to be a battle , Helly is making very good money now and i expect more out of him . He doesn't have to get a bunch of shutouts , although 1 would be nice , just make the big save when we really need it . Not having Buff really hurts in games like this , Buff almost beat the Wild all by himself in the playoffs last season .
Robinson2187
Registered Schmoozer
Yes we get it you liked the 3rd- we all liked the 3rd. Too bad we didn't use some of that skill in the other 2 periods.
Maurice should be doing a lot more to help this team right now.
Not impressed.
raideralex99
Whiteout Is Coming.
Maukkis
EZ4ENCE
- Mar 16, 2016
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He is ready to improve the team today.
I agree.
1st line was horryfying tonight and still got avg. 25min ice time. That's the joke if what is. At PP Wheeler ja Scheifele couldn't do anyting right. And that's why it sucked big time. Kulikov was very very bad tonight.
Stop blaming Laine for everything.
PoMo's tactical change tonight was switch Copp and Lowry. Oh my god!
King Woodballs
Captain Awesome
This thread is so depressing.
Jets lost a game. Ah well.
Can’t win them all and they are still one of the best teams in the league.
Jets lost a game. Ah well.
Can’t win them all and they are still one of the best teams in the league.
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- Mar 10, 2010
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The one upside is the more experience our team gets against the trap the better even if we lose. That is clearly the path to beat us and I would prefer to work through the issues now rather than get beat in a series in the playoffs. With the Wild we know it’s coming.......where it suprised me last season was when Nashville flicked a switch in the playoffs and dominated us (frustrated is a better word I guess) with the trap. If not for a leaky Rinne we were probably done after Lavy wisely adapted. I was shocked a team that good needed to turtle but man was it effective. Rinne was so bad though he broke their trap for us.
The Jets need all the practice they can get against a trap team so bring it. 3rd period was encouraging but the Wild have owned us this season with this style and until we prove we can beat it I will remain concerned. The recipe is pretty clear for the entire league to see how to play us........it’s our move now.
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- Mar 10, 2010
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Welcome to the world of HFBoards PGT’s after a loss. I am not even mildly depressed personally..... as long as we win 3 out of 5 games we will cruise into the playoffs. I am not really that impacted by some of our fans irrational expectations. This is a tough league........we are going to score more goals than we let in over the season and that will get us into the playoffs. The struggles along the way will bother other posters more than me.
Barring a major collapse I am keeping my worry powder dry until the playoffs.
- Mar 10, 2010
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puck stoppa
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Mud Turtle
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Yes, thank you! You’ve summed up the fear many of us have for the rest of this season.
We must adapt, although it always seems to take Maurice an eternity to do so. Maybe around the time 10,000 fans show up carrying “adapt to the trap” signs it’ll clue in.
Or be forced by injury which is usually how change comes in these parts.
- Nov 24, 2006
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0-3 against the Wild.
On a positive note, they had zero shots against in the third. That’s pretty damn impressive. I hope they remember this when the puck drops tonight.
On a positive note, they had zero shots against in the third. That’s pretty damn impressive. I hope they remember this when the puck drops tonight.
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