As we near the 30 game mark of the NHL season, the Winnipeg Jets are flying an unpredictable course. When the Jets seem poised to take off and challenge for a playoff spot, they tail off and go into a mini slump. When the Jets faithful expect their team to sink further down in the Western Conference standings during a two week road trip, they surprise everyone and look like road warriors. So what can the Jets fan base expect from their team? Anything and everything.
Coming off a 5-4 loss to Western Conference cellar dwellers, the Calgary Flames, the Jets would close their home stand against the powerhouse Chicago Blackhawks and division nemesis, Minnesota Wild.
The Jets fought hard and gave the Blackhawks a stiffer challenge this time around. With the score tied 3-3 going into the third, Chicago captain Jonathan Toews powered the Hawks to three third period goals to double up the Jets 6-3.
Winnipeg would entertain the Minnesota Wild in an afternoon matinee and Jets secondary scoring came from Matt Halischuk and Michael Frolik , both recording a goal and an assist. With five minutes left and the score 2-1 for the Jets, Wild forward Zach Parise scored a short-handed equalizer forcing overtime and a shootout. Niklas Backstrom outdueled Ondrej Pavelec in the shootout to give the Wild a 3-2 win.
With an upcoming road trip, Claude Noel felt it would be good for the Jets to take a break at home and build some chemistry on the road.
“Now we play in the East and it will be good for us and get some team building and some comradery,” Noel said.
The New Jersey Devils would be the perfect tonic for the Jets woes. Evander Kane scored the game winner to get the Jets back into the win column with a 3-1 victory. Pavelec turned aside 22 shots in the win.
Winnipeg would build off their win with another solid outing against the New York Islanders. A three goal second period gave the Jets enough to hold off the Isles 3-2. Backup Jets goalie Al Montoya stopped 22 shots to get the win against his former club.
In an early Black Friday tilt in Philadelphia, the Flyers edged the Jets 2-1. Flyers forward Sean Couturier scored a second period short-handed goal which held up as the game winner.
Olli Jokinen provided the heroics against the New York Rangers. Jokinen had two goals in the third period and also added an assist to help propel the Jets to a 5-2 win in Manhattan.
The Jets have a 13-12-4 record and sit four points out of a playoff spot.
