I’m out of energy to bemoan the Jets being bad again, so I’ll keep this recap pretty short. Winnipeg, supposedly in a playoff hunt, was pretty listless against a team it desperately needed to take 2 points against. The Jets talk a big game about wanting to make the post-season and putting in a strong effort, but tonight’s loss said more about this team than anything the players could vocalize. Winnipeg was barely outworked in a game where no one really created all that much in the way of offensive opportunities, and yet, the Jets had multiple brain farts that allowed Kyle Okposo to sink their flagging playoff hopes.
The reality is this: Winnipeg is 5-4-1 in its last 10 games. The Jets needed at least 2 points from this weekend’s slate of games, and earned exactly 0. Maybe the nice little ruse of being Wild Card contenders is finally over now. Maybe this is all we should anticipate from this team. It’s certainly not getting easier, since they’ll have to march into DC on Tuesday. What, exactly, is this team’s plan for getting back on track? It certainly feels like there is no plan.
Tomorrow, the trade deadline will come and go, with Winnipeg unlikely to be in a significantly better position than it is right now. Barring something insane, I just can’t see the Jets making a move that really bumps the needle. It’s so disappointing that 2 whole losses could be this deflating, but the Jets really have no margin for error. They needed at least 1 win against a lottery team and they couldn’t even manage that. I hope they take a long look in the mirror and ask themselves what they’re fighting for, because it’s certainly not a playoff spot.
On a more positive note, Jansen Harkins looks pretty legit! He got a top line promotion after Nikolaj Ehlers got forcibly demoted. I find it comical that Maurice always singles out Ehlers and not the rest of the dead-weights sucking up cap space, but it is what it is. Yes, I’m feeling pretty salty right now, so forgive my rather displeased ranting. Harkins, though, was very good, and was one of the only bright spots in a dreadful outing. Hopefully, he keeps performing so the Jets can be less of a chore to watch.
