Jets’ streak fun while it lasted

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This article was published 23/01/2024 (624 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

TORONTO — It was fun while it lasted.

Ultimately, that was the takeaway for the Winnipeg Jets after their streak of surrendering three goals or fewer came to a crashing halt in a 4-1 loss to the host Boston Bruins on Monday night.

After a small gathering of players hit the ice for an optional skate at Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday afternoon, Jets forward Morgan Barron had no trouble finding words to describe what it was like to go nearly half a season between games when they gave up at least four goals.

“It just reassures (us) that we are doing the right things and that we have the right systems in place,” said Barron, whose Jets are set to close out a three-game road trip against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday. Game time is 6 p.m. “I know people probably would like to make a bigger deal of the streak than it is. We could give a crap about how many games it goes for.

“But it speaks to how good our defence has been when we’re committed to it and how successful it can be. Ultimately, that’s what a lot of playoff games come down to, so it’s a good streak. But all good streaks come to an end.”

Head coach Rick Bowness didn’t hesitate to pull goalie Connor Hellebuyck in favour of an extra skater late in the third period against the Bruins, and his only regret had to do with his squad’s inability to rally and win, not keeping an arbitrary streak alive.

“It’s the two points that matter more than anything,” said Bowness. “The streak is secondary. Points are what matters. We’re disappointed we didn’t get two points (Monday) night, more so than the streak ending.

“Again, it goes back to the effort and the consistency that our players have played with all year. How many times have we talked about, ‘We’re not happy with the way we played?’ Only a handful, and after this many (45) games, that’s a pretty good thing to be able to stand behind.”

The Minnesota Wild hold the modern-day record with 35 games of allowing three goals or fewer from the 2014-15 season.

That Wild team eliminated the St. Louis Blues in the first round of the playoffs but were bounced in the second round by the Chicago Blackhawks, who went on to win the Stanley Cup for the third time in five years.

All to say that while a streak like this one can teach a thing or two, it doesn’t necessarily translate into playoff success.

However, it’s the commitment to the structure that has been the foundation for the Central Division-leading Jets — 30-11-4 — and it’s allowed them to minimize the number of losing streaks to just one three-gamer this season.

“If you want to win in this league, you’ve got to play at a high level on a consistent basis. It’s a tough league, as we all know and we all keep talking about,” said Bowness.

Being able to hold the opposition to three goals or fewer on such a regular basis generally means a team like the Jets should always have a chance to win, given the offensive weapons at their disposal.

“Having (Hellebuyck) back there is a huge help. If we can support him well in front of him, we know he’s going to make the saves he’s supposed to make and more,” said Barron. “We’re going to be in every game. Worst-case scenario, you’re down two, maybe three late in a game and then at least you have a fighting chance with the offensive skill we have in here, especially when we’re healthy.”

Speaking of health, the Jets aren’t sure yet if they might get forward Gabriel Vilardi back Wednesday after he sat out Monday’s game with a lower-body issue he sustained in Saturday’s overtime victory in Ottawa.

Vilardi was skating much smoother Tuesday than he was during Monday’s morning skate prior to the clash with the Bruins.

“I see that. He was a little stiff to start,” said Bowness. “By halfway through, he was moving a lot quicker.”

Jets centre Mark Scheifele shed his non-contact jersey for Tuesday’s session and was the last player to leave the ice, but he remains “day-to-day” and will likely miss a fifth consecutive game — and the chance to play close to his hometown of Kitchener, Ont. — owing to a suspected groin injury.

“When you get to this point, you just see how they feel (on Wednesday) and make the decision at that time,” said Bowness.

Laurent Brossoit is scheduled to start in goal for the Jets against the Maple Leafs in what will be his first outing since a 2-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Jan. 11.

It will be the 12th start of the season for Brossoit, who has won four consecutive starts to improve his record to 7-3-1, with a 2.18 goals-against average and .923 save percentage.

The Maple Leafs have gone through an interesting stretch, dropping four games in a row before posting a win over the Calgary Flames, losing a high-scoring affair to the Vancouver Canucks and bouncing back with a victory over the Seattle Kraken to wrap up a western road trip.

Newly signed William Nylander (23 goals, 61 points in 45 games), Auston Matthews (38 goals, 56 points in 44 games) and Mitch Marner (20 goals, 51 points in 45 games) continue to pace the Maple Leafs’ potent offensive attack.

This is the first of two meetings for the two teams, with the rematch coming Saturday in Winnipeg in what will be the final game before the Jets’ player break.

“They’ve got a lot of high-end talent. You know what you’re going to get with them every time you play them,” said Barron. “You’ve got to be cognizant basically every time you’re on the ice because they have so much skill.

“I imagine their power play is probably clicking well and that Matthews is on pace to score a million goals, so we’ll have to bring that team defence and do our best to keep them off the scoresheet.”

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

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