Practice report: Pucks on the net

The Jets (30-13-5) were shutout for the third time in their last seven games on Tuesday, opening a two-game road trip with a 3-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. It wasn't for lack of trying, as the Jets had several quality chances (13 of the high-danger variety, 5-for-5 by Natural Stat Trick), which were recovered by Tristan Jarry – who now leads the league with six.

After offside, Mark Scheifele even took the goal off the board.

Niederreiter went 14 games without a goal, and even with more than 800 NHL games and six 20-plus goal seasons, he still feels the same pressure as when he entered the league. New York Islanders during the 2010-11 season.

“I want him to change, like when he was still starting in the league and not scoring,” Niederreiter said. “It's disappointing when you don't score. You have mind games going on with yourself and try to outthink yourself. You won't believe your shot. This doesn't change if you get older or sign a long-term contract. You're right there and you want to score and produce and do whatever it takes to win. Overthinking is the hardest part.”

He points to his colleague Mason Appleton as a good example of what happens when a dam breaks. Appleton went 25 games without a goal before hitting the game-winner on January 16 against the New York Islanders.

He now has three goals in his last six games. Head coach Rick Bowness wants to see the trio of Appleton, Niederreiter and Adam Lowry get in front of the net a little more often.

“They're doing the job we need them to do defensively,” Bowness said. “When they were scoring, there were a lot more pucks going on net, a lot more bodies going to the net with that line. You've got two big guys going to the net, good things happen.”