Howdy Folks, and welcome to the Jets vs Predators – The sequel. Noon start time for the game, as its Grey Cup Sunday, and the CFL's championship game will be played later on today. Now normally, I'd give you my version of a recap and recount all the action and play by play as it happens. However, the latest Jets' 5 game road trip and ultimately 5 game losing streak has me changing my approach to this report as it were. Rather than focus on the play, lets focus on the positive aspects of this game, no matter the outcome. Here we go…
*Jets ice the same line up they had the other night against the Preds, as Burmistrov was benched. I'm a Burmi fan and to see Thorburn over him, really makes me cringe. However, it's completely understandable if Burmi is just injured.
*Jets line blender is plugged in and whurring away as Scheifele was centering Laine and Ehlers, while Petan was centering Wheeler and Stafford. On defense, Byfuglien and Morrissey were teamed up, while Trouba was lined up with Chariot.
*Hellebuyck gets the start in goal again, so he seems to have the coach's confidence.
*Little and Perreault both skated this morning, so it looks like Little will be back shortly while Perreault to come back just after.
*Myers, Armia and Matthias are still hoping to return sooner than later.
*Injuries lead to opportunity, with Dano, Copp and Petan making the most of it. Jets' brass has some tough decisions to make.
*If one of those decisions or returns come at the expense of Connor, who just came back from injury, being sent to the Moose rather than being a Thorburn prop up, I'm all for it. With that said, there shouldn't be any excuse to play Thorburn at all when the injured return.
*Jets only had one shot on goal during two power plays in the first period. That's got to increase.
*The first period ended with no score, but the Jets certainly led in physicality, as they weren't shy in hits or blocked shots.
*Stafford, Lowry and Tanev had an excellent chances in the second, but the Preds' goalie was lucky.
*Jets equal and exceed their first period shot count of 4, by the middle of the second period with 5.
*Byfuglien seems more engaged in today's contest, and when focused, can be the difference maker in any game. Morrissey seems more active this game too, and being paired with Buff my have something to do with it.
*After some good work by a Dano, Lowry and Copp line, Stafford scores his first of the year after Petan and Wheeler storm the net. 1-0 Jets. This also turns out to be Trouba's first point of the year too. Seconds later, Stafford thought he had his second on a good chance.
*Jets have 14 shots in the second, while doing a great job using their sticks to block lanes and shots. The second period ends with the Jets leading the game and the play, but the Preds have had their chances and were looking to pick up the pace when the horn sounded.
*After killing off 6 minutes in penalties in the third, while the team blocks close to 30 shots in the game, empty netters by Scheifele and Lowry, and solid tending by Hellebuyck as he blocked 42 shots and the gains the shutout, the Jets win 3-0!
What are your thoughts?
