Winnipeg – was it a hint of what this group might actually be able to do, or was it just another example of unnecessary possibilities and promise imperfections?
Truth be told, a 5-4 overtime rate near league-leading Colorado Avalanche on Friday probably represented somewhat of something for the Winnipeg Jets – and that’s part of the danger of the 2021-22 season.
At a time when the Jets’ Slim play-off hopes were dashed – they are seven points behind the Dallas Stars and have only 10 games left in the regular season (when the Stars had one game in hand), it would have been easier for Nathan McKinnon to score Avalanche 4. After taking the lead at -2 interval, the game turned into a blueout.
Instead, the Jets found a way to force overtime by scoring twice in the final 3:35, something that would not have been possible without Josh Morris’s McKinnon saving style that would have made a true goalkeeper proud – kicking his right foot. To prevent McKinnon from scoring in an empty net.
“I don’t think I can use the word for what’s going on in my head when you see it, but I mean, try to do what you can to save,” said Morrissey, who has a high score for the point. Founded the career. (32) With an assist that sent the game to overtime. “I didn’t play much goalkeeping in road hockey but like the mini-sticks of the previous day. Get your legs out. I would say (Jets goalie coach Wade Flaherty) that we should work with goalie. Save the kick. “
Moments later, Morrissey unloaded a slap that from the point Pierre-Luke Dubois fished out before Pavel Francois could cover Pak, allowing Nicolas Ehlers to score the second goal of the game in 15.7 seconds.
Cal Maker buried a one-timer with three seconds left in a slashing minor to game-winners Ehler at 2:42 of overtime, forcing the Jets to slip 33-28 in the fourth consecutive draw (0-3-1). -11 overall.
“We understand the situation and where we are in the position,” Morrissey said. “We’ve had a conversation about not leaving and here’s how we want to see these next expanded games.”
“Of course, we’re not happy with where we are, but at the same time, we want to be a team, we want to be in a group and we want to show each other what kind of fight we want. And just don’t resign.”
“In the third episode, I thought we did a great job fighting back. Unfortunately, we did not win. But there was a level of competition and there was a level of effort. We’ve talked about it, so it’s nice to see it on display. “
According to the Natural Stat Trick, it was an entertaining game with a total of 80 shots on goal – the Jets finished with 23-15 edges in high-risk possibilities in all situations, according to the Natural Stat Trick.
Speaking of that fine line between what could happen and what could happen in the end, Jets center Mark Schiffel was at the center and center of the game, one of his most inspiring campaign efforts.
For all the defensive points highlighted, Scheffel was in the middle of it all on Friday, collecting two goals and a match to match the production of his new line-mate Ehler.
Scheifele netted his first goal, after converting a backdoor tap-in, Ehlers created an impressive net to freeze avalanche defender Jack Johnson in a two-on-one rush.
Sheffield set up the Ehlers for his first two goals towards the end of the first period to keep the Jets at 2-1, then set the stage for a late rally by showing an explosive speed blast before taking a shot for his 29th goal. Season
“I like the way Mark skates,” said Dave Lowry, the Jets’ interim head coach. “He was involved. He has made a good decision. “
Soak that number for one second.
In a season where Sheffield had a slow offensive start by his standards, he reached the 29-goal mark for the fifth time in a second and nine full NHL seasons from single Kyle Connor in points (10 games remaining) and took the 20-goal plateau for the seventh consecutive campaign.
With 69 points from 66 games, Scheifele is back at a point-per-game rate for the sixth consecutive season and he has done so by consistently hitting scoresheets.
With nine points from the last 10 outings, Sheffield has delivered six multi-point outings and scored six goals and 16 points.
While it does not advise you to take a different approach to defensive deficiencies, it is not a subtle reminder that if the Jets choose to consider off-season trading in Sheffield, there is a risk associated with what other blockbuster would represent.
Top-line centers are not easy to find in the first place and are more difficult to replace.
There will be plenty of time to debate what the jets should do in the future of Sheffield, but this is an evening that allows you to think about what to do with a number of pertinent questions.
What would happen if Sheffield’s level of activity was so high throughout the season?
What if Sheffield sees this final extension as a way to save the season from disappointment that was both for himself and the team?
What if Scheifele and Ehlers had more nights working together and made life extremely difficult for opponents?
What if Scheifele sees last season’s action as a way to increase its trade value or as an audition for its next employer?
What if Sheffield is fit for Team Canada at the upcoming IIHF World Men’s Hockey Championship and feels revived after a long offseason?
Fly on the wall for that exit meeting of Sheffield with Kevin Sheveldeoff, general manager of the Jets, in late April.
The content of what you want to have in an open discussion can have a profound effect on what the jets decide or where they decide to go, both in terms of the staff’s decision and what they do. Bench with coaching staff.
Does Scheifele want him to continue playing for the 7th team overall in the 2011 NHL Draft or does he want to start anew somewhere else?
Only Sheffield knows for sure – and whether it will take him more time to think about that question or whether he has already made up his mind – he will probably not share these thoughts publicly anytime soon.
How he performs during these final 10 games, including Sunday’s inclination against the Ottawa senators – can provide some important clues though.