The Winnipeg Jets’ grip on a Western Conference playoff berth gets more slippery by the day, it seems, and it’s beginning to take an emotional toll.
Winnipeg suffered a 3-0 shutout loss to the lowly San Jose Sharks Tuesday night. It was the Jets’ second consecutive defeat and third in its past five games. And coach Rick Bowness couldn’t hide his discouragement afterward.
“The offense gave us a chance to win the game – we just didn’t score,” Bowness told reporters. “Then, the inconsistencies with some of our players is hurting us. Some of these guys think they’re giving us everything in their tank. They’re dreaming. We have a lot of guys in there giving us everything they can. We just need a few more guys to jump on board. It’s not over. We’re still in eighth spot. We’re going to find out what we’re made of over the next little while.”
Earlier this winter, the Jets were realistically battling for the Central Division title. Now? They hold down the eighth and final Western Conference playoff spot with a 41-31-3 record and 85 points. They sit nine points out of third in the Central, meaning a wild-card berth is likely their only way into the playoffs. Winnipeg holds a two-point lead over the Calgary Flames. The teams have played the same number of games. The Nashville Predators lurk three points back with two games in hand. Fascinatingly enough, the Jets’ remaining schedule includes home games April 5 and April 8 against the Flames and Predators.
As for which players Bowness was singling out? One can only speculate. It is worth noting some of Winnipeg’s top offensive stars have slumped down the stretch, however. Sniper Kyle Connor has just one goal in his past 14 games, center Mark Scheifele hasn’t scored in nine games and center Pierre-Luc Dubois has one goal in his past 10 games.
