The Winnipeg Jets defeated the Calgary Flames in a low-scoring affair that was played outside in Regina, Saskatchewan. The Jets won on the strength of a Bryan Little goal in over time. They had to fight for their win, but the game was not an unwatchable mess at all. The ice conditions looked decent even with the snow falling. As always, the game was aesthetically very pleasing to watch.
Three Things to Watch
- Blake Wheeler back with Mark Scheifele
Oy vey. Just when you think that Paul Maurice might be ready to divorce Blake Wheeler from Mark Scheifele and try something new, he goes right back to them together at the expense of other players. In this case, Patrik Laine who has been excellent alongside Scheifele was moved off the line to go back with Bryan Little and Kyle Connor (now Little and Nikolaj Ehlers) because Wheeler was not finding the same success as Laine and Scheifele. It is fine to think that two players work well together, but keeping moving Laine off of a line where he was successful at producing while not cutting corners defensively is an easy way to frustrate players. If a player is not producing on a line, move them from that line for an extended period of time and change things up for them without disrupting what is working for other players. Maurice has to decide if he really wants the team to centre around getting Wheeler going or letting players that work well together keep developing chemistry and letting Wheeler develop chemistry with more players on the team.
- Adam Lowry’s hit on Oliver Kylington
The hit was bad and it should not matter that Kylington returned to the game. Lowry travelled a decent distance to hit him square in the numbers. He should be suspended for a couple of games because that is the type of hit that the NHL really does not need in the game at all. Alas, it is the NHL and Kylington returned so Lowry will probably get nothing.
- New Look Power Play
Josh Morrissey was moved up a unit for the Jets power play at the end of the game and it paid off for the team. It will be interesting to see of this becomes a permanent move or a one-off in a must score situation. He looked good up there and might mesh with that unit better.
