Game 66 @ Colorado: Scoring Chances & Observations

Despite a solid night from the Jets on the penalty kill, and
superior puck possession throughout much of the night the Jets simply did not
have the firepower needed to beat the Avalanche on Wednesday night.

The Jets penalty kill was spectacular against Colorado.  On six opportunities (including a 5 on 3) the
Avs were only able to generate four scoring chances, while the Jets mustered
together two short-handed chances of their own. 
The PK has been a huge bright spot throughout this season, and will
hopefully continue its success moving forward.

This game was one of the few that the scoring chance count
and possession metrics really don’t match up. 
I would honestly attribute this to the Jets just not having enough
offensively skilled guys playing together right now.  It’s quite concerning to me that the removal
of a rookie center in Mark Scheifele has apparently caused this team to
completely fall off.  Chemistry is simply
gone, despite the removal of a single player. 
Paul Maurice either has to make things easier, or try to get as many
lines back together as possible.  In my
opinion, calling up Eric O’Dell and giving him time with Kane and Wheeler would
be the best way to go about this.  It
would bring the lines back to when things where working well, and allow a
younger player to play in a role he is used to. 

Regardless, it really shows the lack of depth on this squad
if losing one guy can have such a dramatic effect throughout the entire lineup.

John Mitchell quietly had a pretty darn good game for
Colorado.  I honestly didn’t notice him
on the ice at all, but he was out there for more scoring chances for than any
other player, and got points on both Avalanche goals. Who would have guessed
that?

There’s really not much to say in regards to scoring chances
in this one.  Overall it is impressive
that the Jets kept things even despite their penalty problems through the
first, but in the end it just wasn’t enough.

The Jets have been dropping off lately, but the Canucks are
in a complete tailspin right now.  I
think it’s pretty fair to say that Wednesday’s game could end up being very
entertaining.  At minimum, Torts has to
snap at some point soon… right?