The Winnipeg Jets’ slide has reached ugly new territory.
Carolina buried them 7-0 on Friday, and the loss stretched Winnipeg’s skid to nine straight games. Over that run, the Jets have been outscored 37-16, with the latest blow coming against the defending Stanley Cup champion Hurricanes. At this point, it’s hard to argue this isn’t rock bottom.
The night turned fast and never really got better. Winnipeg has now allowed the opening goal in 11 of its last 13 games, and that trend held again when the Hurricanes struck shorthanded. By the time there were six minutes left in the first period, the Jets were already being outshot 10-1.
They were fortunate to escape the opening 20 minutes down only 1-0, but that cushion disappeared in a hurry after the break. Carolina piled on four goals before the midpoint of the second period, leaving Winnipeg buried 5-0 with just five shots on net at that stage.
Cole Koepke was not in warm-up, and while that initially looked like a healthy scratch, Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press reported that it was injury-related.
Winnipeg also had Mario Ferraro on the bench to start the second period after he left in the first period when he blocked a shot.
Any hope of simply getting through the final frame was wiped away by more penalty trouble. The Hurricanes cashed in on another power play to push the lead to 6-0, then added one more to close out the rout at 7-0.
There were no multi-point performances for Winnipeg.
The Jets are in Montreal tomorrow, where they are expected to practice. The big question will be whether Josh Morrissey is a full participant or wearing a yellow, non-contact uniform.
In Other News...
Jets Hit A Defining Week As Early Slide Starts To Feel Serious
A rough opening month has left the Jets searching for answers, and the timing could hardly be tougher. Winnipeg is 4-7-3, with injuries piling up at the same time the schedule is asking for more, and the absence of key pieces has made it harder to find any rhythm. Josh Morrisseys injury has been especially disruptive because it has altered the teams defensive structure and slowed the transition game that usually helps the Jets play on their terms.
The roster squeeze does not stop there, either. Vladislav Namestnikov and Garrett Brown are also out, which has reduced flexibility for a team already trying to stop the slide before it deepens further, and a road trip now includes a meeting with the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes. Winnipeg knows this stretch can shape the early-season narrative in a hurry, but getting back on track will require more than just a better effort. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Face Growing Questions As Familiar Names Enter The Spotlight
After back-to-back losses in Florida, the Jets now turn their attention to a tougher test against the defending Stanley Cup champion Hurricanes, with the mood around the team carrying the familiar mix of urgency and scrutiny that comes with a rough stretch. Even away from the NHL lineup, there were a couple of encouraging notes in the organization pipeline, as goalie Samuel Hrenk picked up his eighth straight win for Fargo and Sascha Boumedienne scored his first goal for Ohio State.
The bigger conversation, though, is happening around the edges of the roster, where outside chatter is beginning to circle some of Winnipegs more recognizable names. With trade-season speculation already building and the Jets trying to steady themselves on the ice, the next few days could say plenty about how the club views its current group and what kind of pressure it is willing to absorb while the standings and the rumor mill both keep moving. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Winning Streak Comes With A Problem Jets Fans Should Watch
The Canadiens keep stacking wins, but the injury list around them is starting to look like the bigger story. Montreal has pushed through a five-game winning streak even as key pieces have gone down, leaving the club to lean harder on its depth and keep finding goals while the lineup gets thinner.
For Jets fans, the part worth watching is how long that balancing act can last. Montreal is already without captain Nick Suzuki for a stretch, and the next few games will tell a lot about whether the Canadiens can keep their offensive rhythm and stay steady enough in goal and on the back end to keep this run going. [Read more 🡒]