11°c A few clouds
18°c Sunny
Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
Taking the positive approach
Evander Kane goes flying over Adam McQuaid during first period action at MTS Centre in Winnipeg Sunday during a game against the Boston Bruins. Kane broke his goal-scoring slump with a goal in the second. (JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store
There was one good sign for the Winnipeg Jets today as they contemplated a wasted week at home — three straight losses — ahead of a five-game road trip that starts Tuesday night in Buffalo (6 p.m. CT, TSNJets, TSN1290).
They have a new morale officer, Blake Wheeler, and he was pushing hard this morning on a positive, encouraging outlook despite the team’s 5-8-1 record through 14 games.
"It’s not that we’re not trying or (don’t) want to get the job done," Wheeler told reporters after this morning’s pre-trip practice at the MTS Centre. "I think we’re just suffocating ourselves with all the expectations and not getting the job done.
"At some point you’ve got to say, ‘Screw it,’ and forget all that, that outside influence and the stuff that we feel from the inside as well and just go out there and play the game because we’re a good enough team to win games. We’ve shown it.
"The difference is, I think, that we’re overthinking it right now."
Ignoring one empty-net goal, the Jets have played six straight one-goal games. They’re 2-4-0 in that stretch but have lost three in a row.
Wheeler, for his part, is without a goal in five games. But he said even in the wake of another disappointing loss, 3-2 to Boston on Sunday, there was no point having a long face either during practice or after it today.
"That’s what I’m getting back to," he said. "You go out there with a grimace on your face every day and you hate your life, stuff like that, nothing’s going to change no matter how bad you want to go out there and win games and get the job done, you can’t do it. This is too tough a business, too tough a game, to not go out there to try to enjoy it.
"When you’re out there enjoying yourself, things just happen. You don’t think, you’re just reacting and that’s when you play your best hockey.
"I think we’ve got to get some of that back into our room.
"Certainly that comes with winning but at the same time, you’ve got to start somewhere. We’re at that point where you just can’t come in here and be stone-faced every day and say, ‘We’re going to go out there and outwork the other team and be serious about this.’ You just can’t do it that way.
"You’ve got to go out there and enjoy what you’re doing and the rest will take care of itself."
More NHL
- Back to Top
- Return to NHL
More NHL
(1 of 12 articles for today)
Veteran defenceman Andy Sutton retires after 15 injury-plagued seasons
11:32 AM 0
Poll
Most Popular NHL
- B's bring their A game
- Paille's late goal gives Bruins 3-0 series lead over sagging Rangers
- Frk's four points leads Mooseheads
- Ex-Jets MacLean, Carlyle on Sochi coaching list
- Red Wings flying high
- He's his father's son BUT...
- Sharks score twice early and hang on for 2-1 win over Kings to tie series at 2 games
- Young Domi taking it to the Max
- Burke will be back; he's just that good
- Columbus Blue Jackets noticing upswing at box office after second-half hot streak on ice
- Burke will be back; he's just that good
- 'It's the worst feeling'
- Ex-Jets MacLean, Carlyle on Sochi coaching list
- Fast start for Hawks
- Colin Greening has OT winner in Senators 2-1 victory; Penguins lead series 2-1
- Red Wings flying high
- Tale of two stars as Crosby outshines Karlsson in Penguins 4-3 win over Senators
- The Gretzky of Gretzky collectors sells hoard that brought him closer to game
- Sharks fined $100,000 for GM Doug Wilson's comments about Raffi Torres' suspension
- Sweden beats Switzerland 5-1, wins gold at world hockey championship
- Sens-Habs series gets ugly:Eric Gryba suspended two games for Lars Eller hit
- Men's locker-room no place for women says hockey commentator Don Cherry
- Grapes claims women have no place in locker-room
- Boogaard family sues NHL for son's death, says it is to blame for brain damage
- Former Leafs GM Burke files defamation suit
- Slideshow: Things that didn't exist the last time the Leafs were in the playoffs
- Sens packing plenty of punch
- Boston completes miraculous comeback in overtime to oust Maple Leafs
- Get it through your thick head, NHL
- From the rubble of disaster: Lokomotiv picking up pieces after entire team was killed in a 2011 plane crash
- Burke will be back; he's just that good
- The Gretzky of Gretzky collectors sells hoard that brought him closer to game
- Avalanche remain silent on report that former star goalie Patrick Roy may return as coach
- When money talks, it says, 'End fighting in the NHL'
- Slideshow: Things that didn't exist the last time the Leafs were in the playoffs
- Men's locker-room no place for women says hockey commentator Don Cherry
- Classy group joining Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame
- Tim Leiweke named president and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment
- Sens-Habs series gets ugly:Eric Gryba suspended two games for Lars Eller hit
- Pesky Sens: Turris scores in OT as Ottawa beats Montreal to grab 3-1 series lead
- Sharks will be without injured F Adam Burish for 2nd round of playoffs
- Boogaard family sues NHL for son's death, says it is to blame for brain damage
- The Boston OT Party
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.