The game started in a very negative way tonight, surrendering 3 goals in the first 13 minutes to the Flames. The Calgary powerplay has been struggling at home lately, but decided to unload on the Jets tonight going a cool 3 for 3. The Jets, on the other hand, let their two 3rd period powerplays slip through their hands.
Towards the end of the 1st, the Jets game picked up and 2 goals were scored a few minutes apart by Kane (his 27th) and Wheeler (his 17th). Despite a 2nd period goal from Tanguay, the Jets were still in the game.
Penalty trouble struck in the 3rd period as Ladd took a terrible offensive zone penalty in which he crosschecked Mark Giordano in the face. Glencross made the Jets pay on the following powerplay, once again opening up the 3-goal lead they started the game with. Toby Enstrom would fire home a slapper at 13:48 of the 3rd to bring the game to within 2 goals. The empty net would solve nothing and the Jets come back home losing 2 back-to-back road games.
The best Jet on the ice continues to be Blake Wheeler. His passion for the game is evident in his play. He has 6 goals in his last 6 games and looks to have no intention of slowing down. One wonders where his point totals would be had he been this dominant to start the season, but we're happy he's found his place and is using his speed and strength.
Following these two road losses, the next 3 home games become increasingly critical to the Jets' playoff hopes. The Jets just aren't the same team on the road and will need to capitalize while in the comfortable confines of the MTS Centre. Perhaps the coaching needs to come under scrutiny somewhat for the disparity between home and away records.
Perhaps this was a case where Mason should have gotten a start. Pavelec was solid, but needed to be his super-human self. And he had to be a bit tuckered out from his 45-save performance the previous night in Vancouver.
The Capitals will play 3 games against Boston, Toronto and the Islanders before the Jets play again on Wednesday versus the Stars. Scoreboard watching will be in full effect and we hope the Caps don't climb too far ahead.
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