The Winnipeg Jets lost their season opener against the New York Rangers 6-4 in very Jets fashion. They were tying the game up quickly until they could not tie it up anymore and they lost.
Things to Watch For:
Can the real Connor Hellebuyck please stand up?
He has been underwhelming since his Vezina nomination season and if this is the best goalie he can be, the Jets are going to need to tighten up on defence and make it so Hellebuyck moves less in net and is able to be the blocking goalie he was meant to be. Not a great answer, but the Jets need to work as one to keep the goals against down as it is hard to win when your goalie is allowing 3+ goals a game.
The Defence Does Not Rest
The Jets defence has a long way to go to become more than serviceable for the Jets and it might not recover unless Dustin Byfuglien returns. I have not been very plugged in on that front, but he is not with the team and the longer there is no word, the less likely it feels like he will actually return to the team. Oh, how I hope I am wrong.
Blake Wheeler is Back
Okay, we cannot actually say that after one game, but he looked better and was actually shooting the puck. Hopefully this keeps up as more and more time goes on. If Wheeler can pose as a threat throughout the season, it will be a much better season for him.
The Jets are playing again tonight at 6:00 PM CDT.
