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Good day to all.
So, I’m purposely making this one short and to the point, because things have piled up at work after I spent Thursday at home beneath the sheets.
Word of advice: don’t get a trio of vaccines in one sitting at the doc’s office.
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I chose poorly.
Oh, well. But I’m back on my feet today, feeling ready to take on the world. And hepatitis A, shingles, and the flu.
Catch the Jets-Red Wings game on Thursday? I thought Winnipeg’s 4-1 victory in Detroit was easily its most complete game of the young NHL season.
The Jets have posted three consecutive wins and now sport a 4-3-0 record. Free Press hockey writer Ken Wiebe was at Little Caesars Arena and filed this report.
A few takeaways from the game:
- Unquestionably, Connor Hellebuyck was the best player on the ice. While the Michigan product was rock-solid against the Oilers in Edmonton and the visiting St. Louis Blues, he looked even more relaxed and in control facing the Wings. At 6-foot-4, 208 pounds, Hellebuyck is a large individual, but on his finest nights he has a way of somehow expanding that physical stature. It’s an optical illusion, I know, but the reality is when “his details are right” (as the thoughtful netminder likes to say), he appears to have the cage sealed off entirely.
- I was beginning to wonder if a picture of Nikolaj Ehlers would start to show up on milk cartons. But the speedy winger has been located safe and sound. He scored a beauty in the first period — his first of the season after six fairly forgettable outings — after a sensational pass from Cole Perfetti. It would be unjust to come down too harshly on Ehlers, who missed a huge chunk of training camp with an injury. But he looks like he’s nearly up to speed and energizing that second forward line, which would be a boon for the Jets who are already getting some solid work from the Mark Scheifele-centred top line and the workmanlike Adam Lowry third unit. It goes without saying the Jets are a more dynamic, dangerous squad with the great Dane in their lineup.
- When it comes to Nino Niederreiter, most Jets fans have likely done a complete 180. The 31-year-old forward has made a career out of being a “shift-disturber,” causing Winnipeg plenty of grief when he suited up for parts of six NHL campaigns in Minnesota. But he was also a defensively responsible player who could chip in on the offensive side. Well, not much has changed now that he’s wearing a Jets jersey, and he was particularly noticeable in Detroit. Sure, his empty-netter came with much relief as he’s been snake-bitten to date, however, he demonstrated his true value with some dogged work along the wall and in the corners, blocking shots and chipping pucks out of the defensive zone. I’m not sure how vocal he is, in the dressing room and on the bench, but his actions as a leader on the ice speak volumes.
Jets forward Nino Niederreiter works his way around Red Wings defenceman Justin Holl Thursday night in Detroit. (Carlos Osorio / The Associated Press)
Kenny also caught up with forward Andrew Copp, a true drafted-and developed Jet for parts of six seasons before he was dealt to the New York Rangers at the trade deadline in March 2022.
Copp is now in his second season gainfully employed in his home state of Michigan after signing a five-year deal with the Wings in July 2022 that carries a US$5.625 million annual cap hit.
Copp was one of my go-to guys when I covered the Jets beat from 2016-21 and I enjoyed and appreciated our many chats during that stretch. He’s stuck on just one goal through seven games but is undoubtedly contributing to one of the league’s up-and-coming teams in many ways.
The Jets will look to keep the streak alive Saturday night in Montreal (6 p.m.) against another young Atlantic Division opponent. The Habs are coming off a 4-3 overtime triumph over the Columbus Blue Jackets.
It should be a dandy, and Kenny’s already in La Belle Province. While I’m glad I’m free from the hectic pace of covering the Jets all winter, I do miss visiting Montreal. Specifically, Schwartz’s Deli.
Yep, the beat had its perks.
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One great photo
Los Angeles FC goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau, bottom left, makes the save as Vancouver Whitecaps’ Junior Hoilett, centre, and Los Angeles’ Ryan Hollingshead (24) tumble over him during the second half of an MLS soccer match, in Vancouver Saturday. (Darryl Dyck / The Canadian Press)
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