The Winnipeg Jets have hit their first bump in the road of the 2024-25 season, as a disappointing 4-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues marked their fourth straight loss. There was plenty to take away from a rather quiet night inside Canada Life Centre.
Jets lose fourth straight game
The Winnipeg Jets have hit their first bump in the road of the 2024-25 season, as a disappointing 4-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues marked their fourth straight loss.
The Jets were outshot 19-3 in the middle frame when the Blues took a 2-0 lead into the third period after back-to-back 4-on-4 goals.
Mark Scheifele scored to snap a six-game goal drought late in the third period to get the Jets on the board, but it was too late.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
At 3-7-0 in their last ten games and the injuries that have mounted, the Jets are facing some early-season adversity despite owning the greatest 15-game start in NHL history.
After the game, Haydn Fleury spoke about the challenge ahead.
“This is kind of the first little bit of adversity we’ve had this year,” Fleury said after the game. “Nobody likes to deal with it, but the only way to get through it is as a team and a group of five individuals going out on the ice. At the end of the day, I think we have to look ourselves in the mirror and really dig deep because this isn’t going to get any easier.”
Brad Lambert makes his season debut
Brad Lambert was recalled from the Manitoba Moose (AHL) this morning, as Nikolaj Ehlers was placed on injured reserve. He made his season debut on this night and finished with 15:07 of playing time as the Jets’ second-line centre.
Coming into the game, Lambert admitted that there would be nerves.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
“For sure, there will be some nerves,” Lambert said. “When I got the call, I was just excited as I was coming into my first game last year. Super pumped and excited.”
Lambert didn’t generate much offensively, and the same can be said about the Jets’ entire forward core. He used his speed to jump on pucks in the offensive zone, win battles, and make a few nice defensive plays.
Scott Arniel said he liked what Lambert did on this night: “Yeah. I mean, you saw his speed a few times. There are things, when he gets pucks, he makes plays. For him, I know he was nervous, but I thought he showed well. There’s still some teaching things. You know, it’s a different league up here. It’s more about without the puck but, all in all, I was happy with his game.”
Jets debut a new look third pairing
The answer to the Ville Heinola/Logan Stanley debate on Tuesday night was both! Arniel elected to pair those two together on the third pairing tonight, scratching Colin Miller.
On their performance, this is what Arniel had to say; “As I said, we didn’t simplify enough. But I think that I was OK with what they were doing. I mean, there were some things that we’ll look at and continue to work on, but, at the end of the day, they have a part to play on this team as well.”
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
It’s rather interesting that the Jets coaching staff currently views Colin Miller as a rotational depth defenceman after his strong play in his first 24 games to begin the season.
Up next
With this rough patch of late, the Jets will need to halt this losing streak sooner rather than later. They’ll be in tough, as Dylan Samberg remains out, and Nikolaj Ehlers will be out roughly 7-10 days, per Scott Arniel.
Their strength of schedule begins to ease up as they’ll hit the road to take on the Buffalo Sabres and Chicago Blackhawks before returning home to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets in game one of a four-game homestand. The Jets’ next opportunity to re-find their game will come on Thursday night against the Sabres.
Stay tuned to illegalcurve.com for all the news and notes regarding the Jets and Moose.
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