FROM THE PRESS BOX
MIKE SAYS: I’ll say this about the Jets: they aren’t going away quietly. I haven’t seen any real signs of “quit” in this group all season — not within games that aren’t going well, and not during extended slumps. That’s a good sign, one that speaks to the quality of character within the group.
It’s also why the “fire the coach” brigade doesn’t get very far with me. They are still playing hard for Arniel and a 6-2-2 record over the past 10, shows they aren’t simply going through the motions.
That resolve is really going to be tested over these next three road games, given the quality of opponents, so it will be fascinating to see how a desperate Winnipeg group responds to the latest in a long line of challenges.
Speaking of which, is this the year Jon Cooper finally wins his first Jack Adams? He’d have my vote. It’s hard to believe the veteran Lightning bench boss doesn’t have at least one on his mantle, but he’s got his team looking like the one to beat in the East. No doubt Canadian hockey fans are hoping Cooper can bring that magic touch over to Italy and lead his team to a gold medal.
Want some fun with numbers? Consider this: the Jets currently sit 7th in the Central Division, 13th in the Western Conference and 29th overall when it comes to points. But did you know their 19 regulation wins this year would have them tied for 4th in the Central, tied for 5th in the West and tied for 15th overall in that category?
Their inability to stretch close games beyond regulation (only four teams have more than Winnipeg’s 24 regulation losses) and then an inability to secure the win in overtime or a shootout (2-7 record in those games) have really done them in.
No doubt the Jets would benefit greatly from a revamped NHL points system that awards three for a regulation win. Spoiler alert: I don’t see that ever happening, certainly not under Gary Bettman’s watch.
So what would it take for a miraculous run to the playoffs under the existing system? With 30 games left, Winnipeg likely needs at least 42 points over that span — which would be three more 10-game runs of 6-2-2. That would bring them to 91 points, which might just be enough to sneak into the final wildcard spot.
Do I see it happening? No, I do not. But it wouldn’t surprise me at all to hear everyone within the locker room believes they can do it.
KEN SAYS: With all due respect to the Detroit Red Wings and Carolina Hurricanes (who are only one point behind the Lightning in the East), the Lightning look like the cream of the crop in the conference. What they’ve done to date is even more impressive when you consider the laundry list of players that have been out of the lineup at various points this season, including captain Victor Hedman, who is close to a return and has been limited to 18 games.
All that to say, the Jets will have their collective hands full in this matchup against the likes of Nikita Kucherov (26 goals, 80 points) and company.
The Lightning lineup this evening also features Canadian Olympians in Brandon Hagel (25 goals, 49 points) and Anthony Cirelli (15 goals, 35 points), both of whom are expected to be relied upon in more of a checking role.
Brayden Point remains sidelined with a knee injury, so this will be an opportunity for Jets centre Mark Scheifele to try and catch the attention of Cooper, as it relates to the potential of being an injury replacement in Italy in a couple of weeks.
Scheifele is coming off a two-point effort against the Devils and is up to 26 goals and 63 points this season.
Speaking of the Jets’ top line, Gabe Vilardi will remain with Scheifele and Kyle Connor after a one-goal, two-point effort of his own Tuesday.
Gabriel Vilardi has grown into a consistent point producer and has cemented himself as a top-line winger. (Matt Slocum / The Associated Press files)
Vilardi had a nifty setup on a blended shift in the first period and then ripped home a shot after a cross-ice feed from Scheifele in the second period.
During a chat on Tuesday after the morning skate, Vilardi was actually speaking to me about doing a better job of finishing off his scoring chances, and he did just that.
Arniel spoke of rewarding Vilardi for being one of the Jets’ best forwards the other night. There’s no doubt the line can contribute offensively, but Arniel needs the secondary scoring to continue in order to keep the top unit together for an extended period of time here.
Jets winger Cole Koepke is one player who’s been contributing well on that front, chipping in five goals during the past 19 games after going 17 games without denting the twine to open the season.
Koepke has been using his speed effectively all season on the forecheck, but part of the reason he was signed was to contribute offensively. He’ll need a strong finish during the final 30 games to challenge the career-high 10 goals he recorded last season, but he’s halfway to that mark after this recent hot stretch.
PROJECTED LINES
WINNIPEG JETS
FORWARDS:
- Connor-Scheifele-Vilardi
- Perfetti-Toews-Iafallo
- Niederreiter-Lowry-Namestnikov
- Koepke-Barron-Pearson
DEFENCE:
- Morrissey-DeMelo
- Samberg-Salomonsson
- Stanley-Schenn
GOAL:
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: D Phillips, F Nyquist
INJURED: D Fleury (nose, back), D Miller (lower body), D Pionk (lower body)
TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
FORWARDS:
- Hagel-Cirelli-Kucherov
- Guentzel-James-Gonclaves
- Girgensons-Gourde-Holmberg
- Bjorkstrand-Finley-Paul
DEFENCE:
- Moser-Raddysh
- McDonagh-Cernak
- Carlile-Crozier
GOAL:
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: D Groshev
INJURED: D Hedman (elbow), C Point (lower body), D Lilleberg (undisclosed), F D’Astrous (undisclosed)
NOTABLE QUOTABLE
Jets defenceman Dylan Samberg on breaking up a two-on-one rush against the New Jersey Devils Tuesday by sliding on the ice and batting the puck out of the air:
“I guess kind of intentional, but kind of a reflex at the same time. I had a feeling that if I slid that he was going to try and sauce it over me. I was thinking maybe I could get my hand up there, but it was also too far away and happened so fast that it was just a natural reaction.”
WHAT WE’RE WORKING ON
Ken is doing an early story on Jets defenceman Dylan Samberg, who has taken on a mentorship role of late after the recall of Elias Salomonsson from the Manitoba Moose.
Ken will also handle the game analysis from Jets vs. Lightning.
You can find both pieces in Wednesday’s print edition and online.
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