Jets work to improve faceoffs

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This article was published 25/11/2016 (3233 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

NASHVILLE — Winnipeg Jets centre Adam Lowry is well aware of his team’s poor record in the faceoff circle.

At 44.1 per cent, the team is dead-last in the 30-team NHL. But Lowry also knows faceoff percentages are not necessarily an indicator of overall team success.

In fact, the top four faceoff teams in the league (Anaheim Ducks, Carolina Hurricanes, Boston Bruins and Dallas Stars) entering Friday’s action were fourth, seventh, fourth and fifth, in their respective division standings.

And some of the numbers may not be all that accurate.

“No, I think you go into some buildings and the numbers are pretty bogus,” Lowry said Friday. “They’re inconsistent. We have our own markers in here and some of our numbers are a little better and some are worse.”

Lowry, who owned a 46.9 per cent faceoff-winning percentage going into Friday’s game with the Predators, said Winnipeg centres — Mark Scheifele (43.1 per cent), Nic Petan (48.9) and Alex Burmistrov (36.3) — are putting a lot of work into improving their numbers at the dot.

“It’s an important part,” Lowry said. “There’s times when faceoffs are critical. You saw the (Nov. 1) Washington game; I lose the faceoff and they score (Jay Beagle’s late goal gave the Capitals a 3-2 win). That’s a critical point for us to give up in the standings. Any time on special teams it’s important you start with the puck. It’s something we continue to work on. We haven’t had a lot of practice time. Even in morning skates, we’re looking at different ways to take (faceoffs).

“There’s no direct correlation between goals and faceoff percentage, but any time you don’t have to chase the puck to start a shift, usually better things are going to happen for you.”

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @sawa14