Introduction:
The Winnipeg Jets close out their three game road trip in the tri-state area with a game in Brooklyn against the New York Islanders. The Jets are on a three game win streak including two back-to-back nail biter wins against the New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers. The two latest wins due in large part to Mark Schiefele who scored a goal in overtime against the Devils that I have watched at least 20 times, as it encapsulates everything that makes him so fantastic. Seriously, I would not trade Schiefele one-for-one for any player in the NHL except Connor McDavid, and I’d honestly tell Edmonton to give me a little time to think about it (Schiefele’s contract is so much better).
Schiefele followed up with the shootout winner the following night at MSG. Mason Appleton has taken advantage of his opportunity with the big club helping revive the fourth line and Jack Roslovic. If you were planning to shell out for a vintage Nic Petan Jets jersey, I’d rethink that decision. Connor Hellebuyck has not looked like a Vezina finalist, but, the Jets are winning. Sami Niku and Cam Schilling – I really have not noticed too much when they are on the ice, which I mean in a positive way.
The post John Tavares Islanders, under Stanley Cup winning head coach Barry Trotz, are hanging around a playoff position in the Eastern conference with a record of 13-9-3. Their last game was a win against the Columbus Blue Jackets played in one of the greatest hockey arenas ever, Nassau Colliseum. I get chills when I see hockey in that building thinking about the legendary Islanders teams that played there. Josh Bailey, Matthew Barzal and Anders Lee have taken over as the go-to players in the void left by the departure of Tavares. Our old friend Andrew Ladd is still on the roster but currently on IR.
Frenemy Blog:
https://www.lighthousehockey.com/
Team Comparison:
| Winnipeg Jets | New York Islanders |
|---|---|
| Record: 16-8-2 | Record: 13-9-3 |
| Last Ten Games: 6-3-1 | Last Ten Games: 5-4-1 |
| Who�s Hot: Mark Schiefele � NHL First Star of the Week | Who�s Hot: Brock Nelson � on pace for a career year in terms of points, in a contract year. |
| Who�s Not: Connor Hellebuyck � still waiting for him to steal a game this year to boost his confidence | Who�s Not: Jordan Eberle � currently on pace for 45 points or so this season. Not great for a second line player. |
| Keep an Eye On: Goaltending. Mason Appleton and Jack Roslovic � the key players to perhaps lowering Paul Maurice�s anxiety level about playing our fourth line more | Keep an Eye On: Which Islanders team will show up? They�ve been all over the map in terms of big wins and big losses. Hoping for the latter courtesy of the Jets. |
