Nov. 29: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

The Winnipeg Jets had some good, bad, and ugly moments this week –

Each week we will list some of the “Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” from the previous week in the land of the Winnipeg Jets and the Manitoba Moose.

The Good

Mitch – The Winnipeg Jets 3-1 win versus the Minnesota Wild on Friday afternoon reminded us what last year’s team looked like.  That was by far the Jets most solid effort of the year.

George –  With the injury to Ondrej Pavelec, it now gives Connor Hellebuyck a chance to get valuable NHL experience.  Luckily for the Jets they have drafted well in an area that was neglected in the past.

The Bad

Mitch –  Michael Hutchinson had a tough week and we’ll just leave it there.  I’m pretty sure Hutch hasn’t forgotten how to play goal but he’s going through a rough patch after a good start to the season.  

George –  Expectations by some Jet’s fans on the play of Connor Hellebuyck will be unrealistic.  The pressure will be on the young goaltender to be the savior and hopefully he will be able to deal with it.

The Ugly 

Mitch – Brandon Dubinsky’s cross-checks (plural) on Sidney Crosby and the NHL’s gutless 1-game suspension!  Way to protect your superstars GARY!  Dustin Byfuglien received a 4-game suspension for a similar hit on J.T. Miller last season.   

George –  The Jets powerplay in the Colorado game probably didn’t have 30 seconds of zone time in their two opportunities.  Their powerplay doesn’t create momentum for the team, it actually works in reverse.  

I’m not sure how often the Jets practice their special teams but they should on a regular basis.  The Toronto Maple Leafs, who almost every hockey pundit out there gives no chance of making the playoffs have better special teams than the Winnipeg Jets.  The Leafs are ranked 5th on the powerplay and 2nd on the penalty kill and the reason is coach Mike Babcock has worked on special team play in practice since the season started and it shows.

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