Well…the Winnipeg Jets are nothing if not an experience! Against the Minnesota Wild, the Jets came out of the gates shootin’ and tootin’. Kyle Connor snagged a quick goal after Kirill Kaprizov missed an opportunity at the other end, but KFC’s goal was only the first in a long line of chaotic scores. At the end of the affair, the Jets had managed to blow a 5-3 lead and fell to Minnesota in overtime. The journey was fairly nuts, but you can tell the Jets stopped playing after Copp put the team up at 5 goals. From there, it was inevitable that the Wild would find a way to win. You cannot step off the gas against a team with this much quality. Here are some takeaways from a bizarre outing.
Seven Takeaways
- The team was without Blake Wheeler, and actually managed well enough. Blake’s been struggling to keep up on the first line, and Copp proved to be a much better fit alongside Scheifele and Connor. I’m sure CSW will be back together as soon as Wheeler is well enough to return.
- Hellebuyck had a much improved back half of game against Minnesota. After the Jets stopped pressing the Wild, Hellebuyck was besieged for nearly an entire period. He did as much as you could ask, robbing Minnesota several times.
- Dillon and Schmidt appear to be modest upgrades at present. Dillon had a tougher outing, losing track of his assignments and struggling to chase down puckcarriers. The more things change, the more they stay the same…
- Power Play Riley Nash really did happen. I don’t want to talk about it.
- Dubois scored a nice PP goal! He’s had a really bright start to the season and doesn’t appear to be slowing down. That’s great news for a kid who needed that comfort and confidence to settle in.
- The Jets weren’t bad for most of the game, but switching off when you know you can’t defend a lead well is a formula for failure. The Jets need to play like they intend to win. Their opponents certainly will.
- Sometimes, you just have to laugh. The way Winnipeg lost this game was hilarious. I feel bad for laughing but it’s impossible to do anything else. Please win on Thursday, Winnipeg…
