The Winnipeg Jets lost a game they needed to win to the Chicago Blackhawks. They looked better than they did on Friday, but that does not say much because they looked atrocious on Friday. They were still letting two on ones happen in close and were way too passive on defence, but at least they looked alive for part of the game.
This team is getting really hard to write about without sounding like I am picking on the same issues. The defence is bad. It is missing a lot of pieces to make it a NHL defence and it is starting to hurt the Jets. This was the defence that was a red flag in the offseason even with Dustin Byfuglien and remained an issue after he left the team. The fact Kevin Cheveldayoff has not addressed the issue nor have there been any rumblings about him addressing the issue should be a fireable offence.
Three Thoughts
- I feel like the Jets are trying to set a record for two on ones close to the net this season. They are really good at creating them and it is kind of concerning. It is one thing to lose a man in coverage away from the net, but right in front of your goalie is just a lack of awareness in general and something that needs to be changed ASAP.
- The third? Blackhawks goal is squarely on Connor Hellebuyck for not covering the rebound that was right in front of him. He is a good enough goalie to get that puck, but once again there seems to be something off with him. It could simply be fatigue or it could be something out, but for the love of Gord please rest him.
- I just want to watch a team that plays aggressive defence and isn’t passive everywhere.
