It appeared as though the week long break did help recharge the Jets somewhat with better even strength play and a lot of fight – quite literally – but the break hasn’t helped their special teams be any better, as the power play went zero for six while the penalty kill gave up two goals on four chances given up, and the Jets couldn’t overcome that as they lose their fifth game in a row by a narrow 2-1 score against Boston.

Easily the best period of Jets hockey we’ve seen this entire week.

I kid… I kid…

But seriously when thinking back to the previous four losses before the all-star break, it was maybe the Jets most complete effort they’ve had. Both teams traded shots throughout the opening 20 minutes, though most chances were kept to the outside edges of the offensive zones with the Bruins being given credit for the one even strength high danger scoring chance that both teams managed to get.

The Jets were the ones to open scoring as @Nikolaj Ehlers put on a skating clinic in the middle of a game with a near end to end rush that finished with @Patrik Laine scoring his 17th goal of the season.

Both teams were also quite physical and things got a little out of hand when @Neal Pionk came to the defense of @Mark Scheifele who was tagged in a hit with his head down a little. Pionk got an extra two minutes and that was followed up by a Josh Morrissey penalty that put the Jets down two men which the Bruins took quick advantage of.

The second period featured even more intensity and more scraps – it hardly feels worth it to call any of the three battles in the second period “fights” as all three were over as quickly as they started.

The Jets see a lot of power play time due to all the fighting and the officials handing out extra penalties like they were candy, but end up going 0 for 5 with the man, and sometimes two man advantages in the second period. There were plenty of shots taken, mostly by Neal Pionk at the blueline which ended up doing as good of a job killing the Bruins penalties as anything Boston did.

No goals exchanged in the second period. The Jets do lead in shots 11-4 in the middle frame but again took them from distance.

Huge opportunities to make the Bruins pay, missed.

Both teams settle down with the rough stuff and get back to playing hockey with the Jets still able to carry most of the play but not really driving to the net or getting any ral scoring chances around @Tukka Rask who ends up stopping everything he saw after the initial Laine goal in the first period.

Unlike the penalty filled second, the third period sees just one penalty handed out and it’s an iffy one at best that of course leads to a Bruins goal.

As if to add insult to injury, a big reason the goal happens is because @Andrew Copp’s skate lace ends up tangled with the back of @Anthony Bitetto’s skate boot, preventing him from covering @Jake Debrusk who again sinks the Jets with the game winning goal for the second time in as many games.

That was all the Bruins needed to earn a W on the night. Despite the Jets out-shooting the Bruins 15-6 in the third, they can’t beat Rask and drop their fifth loss in a row.

 

Yes there was a little dumb luck involved after a very ticky-tack penalty call in the third, and Rask was good on the night, but the real culprit in this loss is the Jets failed special teams play. The Bruins were able to go 2 for 4 with their power play, while the Jets were an extra brutal 0 for 6 with their power plays – two of those being 5 on 3 power plays that the Jets failed to convert.

We’ve said this many times before and it bears repeating, Nikolaj Ehlers is an absolute joy to watch on the ice when he gets his legs moving and is flying around. He doesn’t back down from physical play and his skate around and set up of Laine for the Jets lone goal of the night was beautiful.

Laurent Brossoit also deserves kudos. 23 saves on 25 shots in what was maybe his best game of the season. It’s a shame he didn’t get a victory tonight.

No time to dwell on this one. The Jets get the @St Louis Blues on Saturday night at BMTSP. Puck drop is set for 6 PM CST with Sportsnet carrying it on the TV side and TSN1290 calling it on radio.