Next day takeaways: 3 thoughts as the Winnipeg Jets lose their third straight game

The Winnipeg Jets dropped their third straight game last night, falling to the New York Islanders, 3-2 in regulation.

There was plenty to take away from the beginning of a four-game road trip. 

Three straight losses heading into the Trade Deadline

The Jets have now lost three straight games, scoring a total of four goals across those games, heading into a crucial time for management — Trade Deadline week. 

Both the positive and negative points of view have strong arguments for being correct. 

The glass-half-full approach to this losing streak is that the Jets have been the better team in almost all three games, at least when looking at the scoring chances.  Last night in New York, they out-chanced the Isles 33-18, out-shot-attempted them 75-54, and the expected goals were 3.44 to 2.1 in Winnipeg’s favour. 

That is a strong process without the result. If the Jets play like that on most nights and can cut down on some back-breaking mistakes, they will walk away happy with the result. 

The glass-half-empty approach is that this mini-slump has highlighted the Jets’ issues ahead of the trade deadline, and shows Kevin Cheveldayoff what he needs to add before March 7:00 at 3:00 PM CST to upgrade the roster. 

The two most-discussed upgrades would include upgrading the second-line centre role and pushing Vladislav Namestnikov down the lineup. The other is upgrading the role currently held by Logan Stanley on the Jets’ third-pairing. 

Whether or not you believe the process has been correct over this three-game losing streak, there’s still a strong argument for the Jets to add and improve their roster over the next two days. 

Jets’ top line caved in at five-on-five

The Winnipeg Jets’ top line of Connor-Scheifele-Vilardi struggled mightily at five-on-five in this game. When the top line is getting caved in during their even-strength minutes, it makes it that much tougher to generate offence.

Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)

With the Scheifele line on the ice, the Jets were outscored 1-0, outshot 13-3, the shot attempts were 23-3 for the Isles, and the scoring chances were 10-2 for the Islanders. 

While the top line contributed to the power play getting back on track, this was simply a performance that they will want to forget fast. 

Jets’ power play breaks their slump

The Jets’ power play came into tonight’s game on an extended goal drought, which they snapped in this game. The power play got back to their scoring ways, going 2/3 in the loss, with goals from Josh Morrissey and Nikolaj Ehlers.

I outlined in the first thought that the Jets out-chanced the Islanders at five-on-five in this game, despite the top line being caved in. They were unable to crack Ilya Sorokin until they had the man advantage, and what is still the league’s best power play, got the Jets back into this game and gave them a fighting chance.

Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)

The power play was clicking along at historic levels before this slump, and while they may never get back to that level, it’s clear that this is the best power play in the NHL. Heading into a playoff series, the power play is going to be a major weapon for this Jets squad, which will look to carry this momentum with the man advantage through this road trip. 

Up next

The Jets will now continue this road trip on Thursday night against the Philadelphia Flyers, who they just lost to in the shootout last Saturday, 2-1. 

The trade deadline is March 7 at 2:00 PM CST, and the Jets will play a game that night against the New Jersey Devils. Stay tuned to Illegalcurve.com for all the Jets and Moose news you’ll need through the Trade Deadline week.