Getty Images Since its start in 1999-2000, the Atlanta Thrashers/Winnipeg Jets have never won a playoff game. After a 5-6-1 start to the shortened campaign, they aren’t on course to end that trend anytime soon.
Head coach Claude Noel isn’t ready to throw in the towel, but he’s not happy with his team and isn’t shy about showing it.
“I don’t like the way we play,” Noel bluntly said, according to the Winnipeg Sun. “I just don’t think that we play hard enough. We have to play hard.
“We have to win more battles and we have to play with way more urgency. If you’re asking me if I’m happy, we’re okay. We’re one game below .500. There isn’t a panic or anything, but we know we can get better, we know we can play better.”
Jets forward Blake Wheeler and captain Andrew Ladd both think that part of the problem is the team’s lack of consistency.
Things won’t get any easier for Winnipeg on Friday when they take on the Pittsburgh Penguins, but on the plus side, it looks like defenseman Zach Bogosian (wrist) is ready to make his season debut. The Jets also have 24-year-old forward Eric Tangradi, who they recently acquired from Pittsburgh after dealing Alexei Ponikarovsky in a separate trade.
“Tangradi is a younger player and kind of plays the same way (as Ponikarovsky). I know our people like him. I’ve seen him play and I’ve coached against him a little bit,” said Noel.
“He’s a young guy with good size. When I watch him play, I see some good things and I see some other things that are okay. I’ll be looking for some consistency in his play. That sometimes comes with maturity.”
Maybe those additions will be the difference for the Jets going forward.
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They rank first and second in shorthanded goals in the 2013 playoffs.
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It initially made it look like he suffered an injury.
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AHL Bruins blow 3-0 series lead against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
May 22, 2013, 11:40 PM EDT
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Trent Whitfield has now been on the wrong end of history twice.
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Video: Sens coach won’t take questions, refers press to game sheet
May 22, 2013, 10:59 PM EDT
John Tortorella would be proud.
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The Penguins “have too much depth.”
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Ottawa’s strong first period was wasted.
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Report: NHLPA director Fehr wants to address issue of fighting
May 22, 2013, 9:02 PM EDT
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He’s been reaching out to agents and players.
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Mike Halford and Jason Brough tackle that question.
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He also wants to express his gratitude to the Vancouver Canucks.
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AP
Beau Bennett and Jussi Jokinen have been inserted into the lineup.
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AP
Two swift playoff exits sunk the Canucks’ coach.
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His career has gone downhill since being part of the Hodgson trade.
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AP
Vancouver’s Alain Vigneault joins the fray.
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“As long as they keep winning here, that just gives me a better chance for a return with every win.”
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“Will we look at them? Absolutely.”
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Pittsburgh’s power play is just 1-for-12 in its past two games.
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Official: Canucks fire head coach Vigneault, assistants Bowness and Brown
May 22, 2013, 3:48 PM EDT
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Vancouver cleans house.
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After starring for Team USA, Ducks goalie Gibson ‘ready for the NHL right now’
May 22, 2013, 3:31 PM EDT
Decent goaltending depth in Anaheim at the moment.
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Darin Pastor wants to know why his offer to buy the Coyotes was rejected
May 22, 2013, 2:47 PM EDT
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Click to read two good reasons.
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AP
This should make the Keith Ballard buyout easier to stomach.
