Contemplate the Jets' plight: Defenseman Dustin Byfuglien, a cornerstone for their drive to the Stanley Cup playoffs, was suspended four games on Thurday for a cross-check to the head of the Rangers' J.T. Miller.
The Jets' problem now: How to make the Stanley Cup playoffs without one of their best offensive players. At his best, Byfuglien is an all-star talent, a linebacker on skates who provides offense from the blue line. The Jets have five games remaining.
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In examining fallout from Byfuglien's action and the NHL's action, USA Today's Kevin Allen said Byfuglien deserved to be suspended. Allen added this:
The Jets are a better team when Byfuglien is in the lineup. With his size and booming shot, he is a game-changer. He scored three goals in the first two games after his return.
Then came the cross-check. "Violent, deliberate, could have broken his neck," Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said of Byfuglien's act.
Here's Cam Cole in The Ottawa Citizen:
Missing the 6-5, 265-pound force of nature for most of their remaining games, especially if they then miss the playoffs, would be a gut-shot for Winnipeg fans and teammates and coach Paul Maurice, because Byfuglien is a nearly unique combination of size and versatility — maybe in a class of two (with San Jose's Brent Burns) who play both forward and defence equally well.
But he did what he did, and there is no defending it.
And now, Byfuglien is gone.
Byfuglien has had helluva season, maybe his best NHL season. Not sure what he was thinking when he nailed Miller.
— Jim Matheson (@NHLbyMatty) April 2, 2015While NHL disciplinarians weighed Byfuglien's fate, the Jets practiced Thursday. Their tenuous hold on a playoff berth was in danger. They were two points ahead of the Kings for the final Western Conference slot when the playoffs begin April 15. The Kings had a game in hand.
Challenge accepted. The Jets, according to The Winnipeg Sun, will keep calm and move on. Their attitude is helped by this helpful number: 6-3. That was the Jets' record during a recent spell in which Byfuglien was injured.
“It does help,” coach Paul Maurice said Thursday. “Wish we didn't have to the last time, but the fact it's recent memory, that we did have success without Dustin in our lineup, that's a positive.”
Captain Andrew Ladd said the Jets were ready for whatever awaits. The cross-check Byfuglien laid on Miller, he said, “doesn't look good on video.”
“It's easy to slow it down after the fact," Ladd said, "but in the course of a game things happen quick and I know he didn't mean to get him in the neck. He was probably trying to get him in the back and hit the wrong spot.”
Byfuglien had a morning conference call with the NHL Department of Player Safety. He wasn't on the ice with the Jets — Maurice called it a "maintenance day."
This isn't Byfuglien's first rodeo, and his undisciplined play could hurt the Jets in the playoffs. If they get there — with or without Byfuglien, there is no room for error.
For the immediate future, Jay Harrison will take Byfuglien's place among the Jets' six defensemen. He was a healthy scratch the past three games after Byfuglien returned from injury. He is eager for the opportunity.
"These are the games that you play your whole career for," Harrison told The Sun. "I'm staying ready. I'm staying sharp. Whenever the opportunity comes, I look to come in there and make a seamless transition and give everything I got to help the team win."
Here's the tradeoff: In 68 games, Byfuglien has 18 goals and 27 assists, and is plus-5. The Jets acquired Harrison in December. In 50 games split between the Jets and Hurricanes, he has two goals and three assists, and is plus-1.