The Winnipeg Jets are clearly feeling the absence of Nikolaj Ehlers.
Their 4-1 defeat against the Utah Hockey Club, broadcasted on Hockey Night in Canada, underscored this point.
Aside from Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor, and Cole Perfetti, who were grouped together on a line at different moments, the Jets found it difficult to compete with Utah`s energetic and fast-paced team.
While some might argue that Utah`s high-speed style isn`t typical in playoff hockey, speed and effective transitions are always advantageous, regardless of the season stage.
Saturday`s game served as a stark reminder of how thin Winnipeg`s secondary scoring options are without Ehlers, who was sidelined after blocking shots in a previous game against Vegas.
The concerning reality for Winnipeg is that this could be their new normal — not just a single loss to Utah, but playing without Ehlers regularly.
This possibility hasn`t been heavily discussed, given Winnipeg`s overall success this season and Ehlers` own reluctance to discuss his future as he approaches free agency. However, as a player nears free agency, especially one who reportedly considered a change of teams last summer, as suggested by The Fourth Period, the chances of retaining him diminish.
Tristan Blackwood