The Winnipeg Jets are currently 1-4 with their most recent loss an altogether lackluster showing against the Calgary Flames. With games against Carolina, Tampa Bay and Colorado coming at home in the next week before the team heads out on an extended road trip starting against the Islanders, some, including Gary Lawless of the Winnipeg Free Press, are wondering if the season is already effectively over for this group.
"You're trying to get things going the right way. Looking at your record isn't really productive," Jets captain Andrew Ladd told Lawless. "You want to start simplifying and doing the little things properly and that will lead to results and the record will follow."
Ladd, like any good captain, refuses to see the Jets as the team that their 1-4 record indicates. Instead, he remains steadfast in his certainty that they're a much better unit overall, and need only time and opportunity to show it.
"We know there's a lot more in here and this is a time to help each other out and build your teammates up. To try and stay positive. But that doesn't mean you can't be pissed off at the results," said Ladd. "It's OK. People can ask (if we're a bad team.) That's part of playing in the market we're in. We're going to be under a lot of scrutiny. That's part of being a pro, blocking that out and sticking together and knowing what we have in here and having confidence in that."
In Sunday's loss to Calgary, the Jets played a strong opening period, leading 1-0 heading into the initial intermission. But the wheels came off quickly, leaving Winnipeg head coach Paul Maurice frustrated and terse in his post-game press conference answers.
"The first period was about as good as we're going to look," said Maurice. "And then, it's that constant battle to have the confidence to keep doing what you're doing. The second period, you have to find that confidence to stay up and stay aggressive and we're struggling with that right now. We're doing this together. The second period is not what it's supposed to look like and so it's on me."
The Jets, as Lawless notes, have more talent than their record indicates - player-wise, they are technically better than 1-4. But Lawless, like Paul Maurice, knows the only thing that matters in the end is that very same record.
"(Our record) is reflective of how we've played. The record is accurate," said Maurice.
Their record says they're 1-4 and a ways away from making a playoff push.
