The Winnipeg Jets returned from their holiday break in fashion with a thorough if not close win against the Edmonton Oilers. The Jets were the dominate team for much of the night and it showed on the score board. According to the broadcast, the Jets had directed around 70 shots towards the Oilers net. If that is close to accurate, that is a great return from a break for the Jets.
Now it was not all sunshine and rainbows for the Jets. Mark Scheifele was down and in pain for quite a while before leaving the game clutching his shoulder. There was no diagnosis from head coach Paul Maurice, but based on the post-game comments, Scheifele is expected to be out a while.
With Scheifele out a while, it will be interesting to see what the Jets do with their centremen. If Scheifele goes on injured reserve, they will be able to make a call-up. If he does not, then the Jets will ave to make do with what they’ve got.
Ten Thoughts:
- First thought is a Connor McDavid Appreciation Thought because he’s really great to watch and makes hockey fun. Thank you.
- The Winnipeg Jets powerplay is good, even though they gave up a short-handed goal. That goal was to the aforementioned very good Connor McDavid and his partner in crime, Leon Draisaitl. The Jets got it back in short order and all was right in the universe.
- Patrik Laine was noticeable in a good way tonight. He was taking good shots and showing everyone why he is a goal-scorer without scoring a goal. It was nice to see him look so engaged in the game. Hopefully this continues through to the end of the season.
- Bryan Little has also looked more and more like he belongs with Nikolaj Ehlers and Laine on the same line. There is something wonderful about him being able to play off of the two of them while holding the fort defensively.
- Joel Armia is not the player that the Buffalo Sabres thought he was when they drafted him in the first round, but he is a perfectly functioning fourth line forward who is able to score goals with that hard shot of his. He has been used effectively this year and it is nice to see him start to get his groove on.
- Mark Scheifele is hurt and no one knows how badly the injury is. While the long-term repercussions of the injury are currently unknown, it looked like a shoulder injury and that can have a wide range of time missed. Currently the Jets have many options, but it is unclear what their next step is.
- The Jets power play is looking better and better. While Tyler Myers can look awkward at points in the game, he looks right at home on the power play. They use a diamond set up that forces penalty kills out of their box and are solid enough passers that they can make a goalie move a lot. It is paying off.
- Dmitry Kulikov annoys me because I cannot get over his contract. That said, he has been looking up recently, at least offensively. Hopefully it continues.
- I did not notice Tucker Poolman and Ben Chiarot much at all. That is the best compliment they can be given at this moment.
- The last two minutes of the game was classic butt-clinching time. The Jets might want to work a bit on their six on five play, but at the end of the day it is not so important as they are good five on five at least.
