I’ll be the first to say it; I still think the Jets are a very long shot for making the playoffs. I just don’t think they are strong enough overall to make it. BUT, if they can put together performances like the one they had on Friday night against Vancouver, they will at minimum make the last couple months of this season very interesting.

Overall, the Jets did a pretty solid job of controlling the play and tempo of this game. Better yet, they managed to really limit the scoring chances the Canucks were able to generate, while gathering together many of their own.

Credit where credit is due, Mark Stuart had a pretty solid game overall. He had a rough turnover early on that led to some sustained pressure, but outside of that he was among the best possession players on the team on a night that Trouba did look like a rookie. You don’t finish a game at +8 during even strength play by mistake. If only he could do this more often.

Devin Setoguchi had one heck of an offensive game. His goal early on seemed to suddenly turn his confidence on; as from that point forward he was making great plays, performing great moves and setting up chance after chance. It would be a terrific thing for the Jets if this turns into a sustained increase in his play.

Scheifele and Wheeler continued to be Scheifele and Wheeler against the Canucks. They weren’t very good possession wise, but were studs together in the neutral zone. I still think they are better suited under some line matching protection for now. Let Scheifele continue to learn and grow a bit more before throwing him out against top lines. That’s what Ladd-Little-Frolik is for.

Speaking of LLF, they did a pretty solid job against Sedin, Kesler and Kassian. Despite being on the ice for a couple goals, they won the possession battle and were really able to limit the Canucks top line from doing too much. The more they do this, the better for the Jets.

Friday night’s game was the Jets final home game before the Olympic break, and the team celebrated with a rather awkward ceremony before the game. With four road games left before the break, the Jets will have to improve on their current 12-14-1 road record if they want to be legitimately in the playoff conversation moving forward. Regardless of what happens in the next four, I think the Jets need to be sellers at the trade deadline and get the best value possible for their upcoming UFA’s. There are no Stanley Cups coming to the Jets this year, so they need to continue to think long term.