The Winnipeg Jets needed a win against the Minnesota Wild. At least, it felt like they did. And so they got one. Blake Wheeler surpassed Atlanta Thrashers Legend Ilya Kovalchuk as the franchise leader in points. Jansen Harkins got his first NHL point off of a Logan Shaw goal. It was a nifty pass through the crease for the Jets sixth goal. For a game against the Wild there was a surprising amount of entertaining moments, but that is because the Jets had some entertaining moments.
Three Thoughts
- Blake Wheeler has passed Ilya Kovalchuk in franchise points. This is mind-boggling and wonderful to see. Wheeler has been great for the Jets and his acquisition by the Atlanta Thrashers is one of the great WTF trades of the past decade. When you trade Rich Peverely for a young player with high potential, you make that trade a million times. It was a great trade when it was made and it remains a great trade today. Wheeler stayed at university for three years and then decided to not sign with the then Phoenix Coyotes because they were a mess and instead chose the Boston Bruins. He was traded as the Bruins geared up for a Stanley Cup run and the rest, they say is history.
- Patrik Laine has been tough to define this season, but his two goals today were amazing. They were impossible for the goalie to see and clearly meant for the back of the net only. Laine has been (wait for it) enigmatic this season, but this game has been the best of him. He is still an elite shooter, but he needs to shoot more. He is a good passer and has been since he was a rookie. When he plays with purpose, he looks like he could take on the world and score a goal. He did that today and it was a major boon to the Jets.
Just going to leave this here.
Patrik Laine. Mr. Humble. 😅
(@snseanreynolds is getting the all-time great interviews today! pic.twitter.com/yiPQ8Ebb4r
— JetsNation (@NHLJetsNation) December 21, 2019
- Last game I called the Jets out on their uneven play and today I am praising it. It seems like whenever I try to be nice to them, they play poorly and whenever I am a little bit mean, they play well. I am not saying it is all my fault when they win or lose, but patterns should mean something. I shall try and be more negative.
