Jets tried flying high rather than staying grounded

The Jets tried to run and gun with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday afternoon, which wasn't a good move considering Evgeni Malkin suits up for the Pens.

The Jets, who hadn't scored more than two goals in their last eight games, put five past Marc-Andre Fleury. The only problem with that was they allowed eight and went 1-1 on their quick road trip to the District of Columbia and Pennsylvania.

It was like the Jets figured they could open it up after taking a 2-0 lead by the 10-minute mark of the first period. If they had played the kind of defensive game that has been their strength lately, they might have had a chance.

Instead, the Penguins were allowed to wheel all over the ice and didn't make many mistakes. Malkin ended up with a goal and four assists.

"We gave up more odd-man rushes in two periods of play than we did in the last 10 games," coach Claude Noel said. "We knew how to play. We just didn't play it."

Defenseman Dustin Byfuglien pinched way too often, the Jets were soft in their own zone, and goaltender Ondrej Pavelec wasn't on top of his game. That being said, the Czech netminder was not to blame for the loss.

"We hung him out to dry," Noel said. "I'm not going to sit here and blame the goaltender. He should be the most livid guy in the room."

Strangely, Saturday's contest marked just the first time this season the Jets lost in regulation when scoring five goals or more, so that almost suggests they can be a run-and-gun team. The fact of the matter is they have to play the tight-checking game for which they've become known.

Noel said he is not going to take anything out of Saturday's game, even though the five goals marked their biggest offensive outburst since Dec. 17.

The Jets (26-25-6) are five points out of first place in the Southeast Division. They return to action Tuesday at home against the New York Islanders.

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