RickDixon69

Winnipeg, MB • Canada • 42 Years Old • Male

A glimmer of hope for Jets fans

So after losing against the Islanders in what most considered a must win game, the Jets have posted a road win against the Wild and two straight home wins against the Bruins and Avs.

In all three of those wins they have recorded at least four goals per game. Yes, you heard me right, four goals per game.

An outpouring of offense such as this is reason to celebrate in Winnipeg as Jets fans have been witnessi to an offense that has struggled to put up even two goals in a game all too often.

More important than the Jets wins is what has been happening to the teams above them in the playoff race.

The Leafs have been struggling as of late, dropping five of their last six, yet still hold the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. With each loss you can actually hear the sphincters of Leafs fans puckering up. The Leafs and Jets are currently tied with 64 points but the Leafs hold two games in hand on the Jets. They have five games left in February (4 at home - 1 away) against competition that is not exactly weak. The only game in which they may have a distinct advantage is against the Caps, and that may change with Mike Green coming back into the line up.

The Sens were in a free fall and looked like they may fall out of the playoff race, but have rallied as of late to maintain 7th place in the Conference.

The Caps have played like a disinterested hockey team all season long and their record reflects that. Mike Green has returned to the line up, and should provide a boost to the team's play offensively. This team has way too much talent to miss the playoffs and I believe they will make a run at some point to sneak in which is bad news for the Jets chances.

The Panthers have come back to earth and have been struggling to maintain the lead in the Southeast Division. They currently sit 1 point ahead of the Jets in the Division but do hold three games in hand.

For the Jets, the 8-game homestand in which they are in the midst of (they are 2-0 so far) is going to be the difference between making the playoffs or missing them. The remaining games of the homestand are against Flyers, Lightning, Blues, Oilers, Panthers and Sabres. Nobody expects this team to run the table during the homestand but they will have to beat the teams that they MUST beat to make it. They can lose, but the losses need to be in OT to gain the single point.

All in all, it is not all doom and gloom for this team yet. Hopefully the recent offensive surge carries forward and they can stop clutching their sticks so hard.