Can-nuked!

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This article was published 10/03/2024 (574 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

VANCOUVER — The response was the proper one.

Whether it was Winnipeg Jets head coach Rick Bowness calling Saturday’s 5-0 loss to the Vancouver Canucks the worst game of his two-year tenure “by far” or Mason Appleton describing the rare no-show as “unacceptable” – these are the words that should be spoken after an effort that was nowhere near the standard this team has established over the course of 63 games.

It was natural for some to try and draw a parallel between this game and the Game 5 whimper against the Vegas Golden Knights that knocked the Jets out of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs last spring, given that Bowness called it the worst game he’s been behind the bench for.

This wasn’t a rant about a lack of pushback, it was the expression of utter disappointment for one night’s work.

Nothing more, nothing less.

“Listen, the bottom line is that’s the worst game we have played in my two years here. By far,” said Bowness, stressing to reporters to not over analyze what had just taken place. “Because we didn’t have one player play a good game. Not one. It starts there. And it ends there. It’s as simple as that.”

That this was a marquee matchup between two teams battling for supremacy in the Western Conference and the Jets didn’t measure up, that made it even more disappointing for those behind the bench and those on the ice.

“Huge game, obviously. Two top teams in the West going, percentage-wise, going at it. And then to kind of lay an egg like that is unacceptable,” said Appleton. “We will go home and look in the mirror, try and turn the page. But we’re a lot better hockey club than we showed.”

To suggest this should sound any sort of alarm is a complete and utter over reaction.

This wasn’t a one-game referendum on where the Jets stand, it was simply a missed opportunity.

An opportunity to go 2-0 in the season series against the Canucks, but more importantly a chance to build on an incredibly tidy 3-0 victory the night before against the Seattle Kraken – where the Jets essentially followed their template to the letter and were rewarded for that.

Speaking of rewards, the Jets were rewarded by general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff on Friday with a pair of trades to help improve the roster.

At least one of those additions – forward Tyler Toffoli – will be in the lineup on Monday night when the Jets host Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals to open a three-game homestand.

It’s possible Colin Miller also draws in, though the Jets might prefer to have him get a practice in before he takes a spin on the third pairing.

With that in mind, let’s put a bow on what transpired on the weekend and look ahead to what should be an interesting series of matchups that includes visits from the surging Nashville Predators and an Anaheim Ducks team that is right in the middle of the chase for the first overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft:

Where do the new guys fit?

Given their history together, dating back to being linemates in the Ontario Hockey League with the Ottawa 67s, Toffoli is expected to start out on a line with Sean Monahan and Nikolaj Ehlers. That line has enormous potential. Depending on when Gabriel Vilardi is back (he’s expected to skate on Monday in Winnipeg), there is a chance that Toffoli might take a few spins alongside Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor at some point as well. There are 19 games left in the regular season and much of that time will be spent trying to find the optimal mix for the top two scoring lines.

Toffoli’s insertion will only enhance the competition for playing time on the fourth line and that gets ratcheted up even further once Vilardi returns.

Keep an eye on that as well.

As for Miller, it remains to be seen if he’s going to move right into the lineup or if he will join a rotation on the third pairing along with former Golden Knights (and Original Misfit) teammate Nate Schmidt.

“You’ll see: he’s a good character guy. I like him. He’s a good dude in the room,” said Schmidt. “He skates well, shoots the puck hard. I think he’s led the league the last couple years in (the) hardest shot. I’ve played on the power play with him before and when that thing takes off, it really is something. He’s worked hard to refine his game the last couple of years as a two-way guy and our room is lucky to have him.”

The Jets got a boost after the arrival of Monahan and there should be a palpable burst of energy from this group as they welcome the two new additions into the fold.

What’s going on in the crease?

Connor Hellebuyck is having a tremendous season and remains the front-runner for the Vezina Trophy as the top goalie in the NHL.

Like his teammates, Hellebuyck was not on his game on Saturday as he allowed five goals on 37 shots on net.

The power-play wrister from Andre Burakovsky for what proved to be the game-winner was a rare softie on Tuesday night.

Even the best players in the entire league are allowed an off night or two, so this is a reminder that Hellebuyck is the least of the Jets worries.

Having said that, this is the time of the year when sharpening up is a priority.

During his past seven starts, Hellebuyck has given up five goals twice, four goals once, three goals on three occasions and two goals once.

As a point of reference, Florida Panthers netminder Sergei Bobrovsky – who is in the running for the Vezina – has given up two goals or fewer in 12 consecutive starts.

Hellebuyck remains among the league leaders in starts and given how well Laurent Brossoit is playing, the Jets have the ability to allow the No. 1 guy to spend a few days working with goalie coach Wade Flaherty.

With Brosoit posting his first goose egg of the season on Friday, the Jets could choose to start him on Monday, which would allow Hellebuyck to be ready for starts on Wednesday against the Predators and Friday against the Ducks.

An argument can also be made that when asking your team to respond after a poor effort, going with the No. 1 guy is the way to go.

Brossoit has lowered his goals-against average to 2.11 and raised his save percentage to .924, so keeping him in a rhythm is important.

Starting six of the final 19 games looks like a reasonable expectation, which would give Brossoit 23 starts and allow Hellebuyck to finish with 59 – which means he will be fresh when the postseason begins.

There is no goalie controversy here and playing Brossoit a bit more down the stretch won’t create one.

The Jets are fortunate to have the best tandem in the NHL and keeping both guys sharp remains important.

What about the opponents?

The primary focus for the Jets will be on playing more games like the one they had on Friday against the Kraken and for quickly turning the page on Saturday’s uncharacteristic showing. Limiting the odd-man rushes and tightening up defensively remain two of the top priorities for the Jets.

The Capitals are a team in transition, but they’re still alive in the chase for the final wild card in the Eastern Conference and they’ll be bringing a level of urgency the Jets have seen from teams in a similar situation during the past several weeks.

Ovechkin’s production is down to 18 goals and 48 points in 59 games, which leaves him second in both categories to centre Dylan Strome (22 goals, 51 points in 62 games).

The Predators are the hottest team in the NHL (10-0-1 going into Sunday’s action) and shifted from a clear seller to a team that brought in a few veteran forwards, extended Tommy Novak and didn’t sell off their pending UFAs – including Alexandre Carrier, who would have been a player of interest for the Jets leading into the NHL trade deadline.

Winnipegger Cody Glass recently recorded the first hat trick of his NHL career against the Colorado Avalanche, but it’s been a challenging season for him dealing with injuries as he’s been limited to five goals and 10 points in 36 games.

There will be time to discuss the Ducks further as the week unfolds, but they’re clearly in next-year country, though they played the Jets tough in two prior meetings (3-1 win for Jets in January and a 4-2 victory in December).

Frank Vatrano is having a solid season for the Ducks, leading the club with 29 goals and 50 points in 63 games – which made him a potential target until the Jets were able to land Toffoli on Friday morning.

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

X: @WiebesWorld